Skip to content
Home ยป FAQ

FAQ

Have questions? Check out our most frequently asked questions and answers.

Question: What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?

Answer: A midwife is a medical professional who assesses the health of the pregnant person and their baby and can actually assist with the delivery of your baby. Midwives may also provide medical care throughout pregnancy as well. A birth doula is a non-medical professional who provides physical, educational, and informational support throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediately afterwards. A midwife and a doula can have similar knowledge about many aspects of normal, physiological birth, but a doula will be entirely focused on the birthing person’s comfort and relaxation throughout labor while the midwife evaluates progress and performs any health-factor assessments.

Question: How will a doula benefit me when I have supportive partner?

Answer: A doula doesn’t replace a supportive partner in your birth and postpartum experience. Doulas will share information and even demonstrate ways your partner can comfort and support you. The goal is to ensure your partner knows how best to support you during labor and postpartum. And, having a doula means your partner isn’t the only person you have available for support, which often means your partner can have some time to rest so they have the energy to help you when you need them the most.

Question: I don’t plan to go unmedicated for my birth. How would a doula help me?

Answer: A doula can be even more helpful for those using medical pain-relief options! Your doula will be with you throughout your labor and birth and will help you make position changes that help with labor progress and can help prevent unnecessary interventions for stalled labor. In the event of necessary labor interventions, your doula will help you get all the information you need to make an informed decision that you’re comfortable with, leaving you feeling empowered and capable.

Question: I’m having a planned cesarean birth. Is that something a doula can support?

Answer: Of course! Having a planned surgical birth means you’ll likely have questions about the process you’ll go through and what options may be available to you so that your birth can be a positive experience. A doula can offer a lot of information and explanations and will help you prepare for this type of birth, including what to expect during postpartum recovery and how to plan for the appropriate support during that time.

Question: Do you accept insurance?

Answer: Doula Gina is an approved Medi-Cal doula for most Sacramento-area Medi-Cal plans, and Atala Doula Services is happy to work with you to provide doula support as part of your Medi-Cal benefits and will handle billing Medi-Cal for payment. For private/employer insurance benefits, Atala Doula Services does not directly bill private/employer insurance carriers for services rendered. If your private/employer insurance coverage includes birth and/or postpartum doula support, Atala Doula Services will be happy to work with you to provide the appropriate invoicing, payment records, and other information you may need to be reimbursed by your insurance carrier.

Question: I really need doula support, but I don’t think I can afford it. Do you have options for me?

Answer: Yes, absolutely! Atala Doula Services believes very strongly in the value of doula support being attainable for everyone. There are affordable payment plans available, including options that can extend payments even beyond your need for doula support to keep the monthly payment amount low. If you have other financial concerns, please reach out to discuss possible options. Service trades, exchanges, and bartering may also be accepted.

Question: When should I hire a doula?

Answer: Ideally, you’ll hire your doula early in your pregnancy. This will give you more time to build a relationship with your doula and also allows you to have more time to get information and answers throughout your pregnancy. Most people will have hired a doula by 30-32 weeks of their pregnancy, but it’s never too late as long as you can find a doula who’s available and a good match for you.

Question: When does my doula come to support me during labor?

Answer: The short answer is whenever you need your doula’s support. Generally, it is best to request your doula come to support you when you are in active labor and needing the additional support a doula provides to cope with labor. If your doula arrives very early, the presence of an extra person may hinder or stall labor progress. But, if you feel you need your doula, then absolutely request the doula come as soon as possible, and your doula will happily meet you wherever you are.

Question: What happens if you’re not available when I go into labor?

Answer: First, the number of clients booked each month is very limited to maximize the chances your doula will be available for your labor as expected. In the rare situation when your doula is unavailable, a qualified backup doula may be offered to you so that you can have support during your labor and/or birth, even if only needed temporarily. Otherwise, if your doula fails to attend your birth, a partial or full refund may be granted, depending on the circumstances.

Question: I’m not in the Sacramento area. Can you still be my doula?

Answer: Yes! Virtual birth and postpartum doula support is available. Alternatively, in-person doula support may also be available with an Atala Doula Services travel doula contract that covers the additional travel expenses.

Are you ready to feel supported, empowered, and at peace as you begin this life-changing journey?

WordPress Cookie Plugin by Real Cookie Banner