Who should hire a doula?

Any person who is pregnant or caring for an infant can benefit from partnering with a doula!

• Whether this is your 1st or 5th baby
• Birthing people of all ages
• High-risk pregnancies can especially benefit from the added support and guidance of a doula
• People who are interested in a natural birth, as well as those who want to utilize pain-relieving medications
• Those who plan to induce
• Those who are having a planned C-Section
• individuals who are disabled or chronically ill
• People who have experienced trauma of any kind can have a significantly more positive pregnancy, labor, and birth experience with the compassionate care of a doula
• People who want to give birth at home, in a birthing center, or in a hospital
• Surrogate pregnancies
• VBAC birth plans can benefit greatly from the added support and advocacy
• Uncomplicated pregnancies can be further elevated and enjoyed by the added pampering and support of a doula
• Any people who are having a baby or providing care for a newborn can benefit from postpartum doula care
• People with other children – It’s so important to rally around siblings and make them feel special and included
• People of any financial status are worthy and deserving of doula care

What is a doula?

A doula is your professional support system throughout pregnancy, labor, birth, and your 4th trimester. A doula provides balance and grounding through education, emotional and physical support, compassion, and advocacy. A doula is your unbiased confidant and guide through possibly the most powerful and intimate experience you’ll ever embody in this life.

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?

While doulas and midwives have some overlapping roles, their core practices differ significantly. A doula’s expertise is based on their experience and knowledge, on their dedication to the birthing person’s physical and emotional well-being, and their dedication to advocating for and protecting the birthing person’s rights as they pertain to pregnancy, labor, giving birth, and making choices for their baby. A doula isn’t the one to deliver your baby, but they will work closely alongside your midwife and/or hospital staff. The main difference between doula and midwife is that a midwife is a medically trained and licensed practitioner who handles everything from routine checkups to delivering babies. Midwives are often happy to work with a doula because they make a fantastic team! Your doula provides constant emotional and physical support so your midwife can focus on providing medical care. This ideal partnership ultimately results in safer births and a major increase in positive birth outcomes and experiences.

When should I hire a doula?

You can hire a doula at any point in your pregnancy! The ideal time is before or close to 37 weeks so we have time to get to know eachother and establish a trusting relationship. It’s crucial that you have confidence in your birthing team. This includes anyone who you are relying on for care and support throughout your pregnancy and especially anyone who is going to be in the room with you while you are birthing your baby.

When it comes to hiring a postpartum doula, ideally, you would want to select and get to know and hire this person before your baby is born so you are comfortable with having them in your home, helping your care for your baby, and opening up to them during this incredibly intimate time for you and your family. That said, it’s never too late! While you should be aiming for your 2nd or 3rd trimester to find someone who is a great fit, it’s never too late to get help when you need it.

When is it ok to contact my doula?

When you partner with me as your doula, I am available to you day and night. We will discuss when why and how to contact me in our first meeting, and once your reach 37 weeks, I am on call for you 24/7.

When is it time to call my doula in once I go into labor?

As soon as you are experiencing signs of labor, you should contact your doula! I want phonecalls and or texts from the first incling. I’ll check in with you periodically from there to monitor how you’re doing physically and emotionally and when you need me, I’m there. This varies from person to person. some would prefer to carry on for a while, and others may want reasurrance adn support/destraction from their doula early onand that’s ok. I will help you decide when it’s time to call your midwife or head to the hospital, and if it’s time to go, I’m coming with you!

Where does Basil & Onyx Doula Services provide care?

I care for people in Southern WI and Northern IL and meet clients in several locations, depending on the type of care I’m providing.

My service radius includes but not limited to Albion, Avalon, Avon, Beloit, Bradford, Brodhead, Center, Clinton, Darien, Edgerton, Evansville, Fitchburg, Footville, Fort Atkinson, Hanover, Harmony, Johnstown, Lake Koshkonong, Madison, Middleton, Milton, Monroe, Orfordville, Plymouth, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Turtle, Verona, Whitewater, Antioch, Big Foot Prairie, Capron, Genoa City, Harvard, Hebron, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Richmond, Rockford, Spring Grove, and Woodstock.

I often have an initial introductions/getting to know you consultation at a location that best suits you. This can be your favorite coffee/tea shop, your home, or any other place where you feel comfortable having a discussion about the care you would like to receive during your pregnancy and or after you have your baby.

My prenatal, labor, and birth clients will have 4 home visits before baby is born, as well as 2 postpartum home or hospital visits. I can accompany you to important appointments with your provider and like to meet your OB or Midwife at least once before you deliver.

I will be with you wherever you decide to give birth to your baby whether that is in your home, at a birthing center, or in the hospital.

Why hire a doula?

Birth is sacred. Our bodies are miraculous, wise, and strong! We have perpetuated the cycle of life since our first existence. We have learned from our ancestors and from those who have birthed and raised us how to listen to our bodies, how to open and become a passageway for new life. As a doula, I am drawing from a rich collective of knowledge and experience centered around a knowing that our bodies are designed for this, and childbirth is not a medical condition.

Giving birth can be treated like a scary emergency that you have to get through or endure. Without support and advocacy for informed decision-making, an uncomplicated birth can become needlessly complicated in the name of convenience and protocol. When you understand the biology of birth and are aware of your choices, you are prepared to plan the birth you want and can take an active part in decision-making throughout your pregnancy and birth instead of feeling like things are happening to you, or like you have to do something you’re not sure about. 

One of a doula’s most important roles is reminding you of your power and knowledge and reinforcing your confidence by acting as a constant source of guidance and reassurance. Hiring a doula is choosing to take an active role in birthing your baby by positioning yourself in tandem with a birthworker who is able to make you their priority and is committed to preparing you for this momentous occasion of bringing your baby into the world.