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FREQUENTLY ASKED DOULA QUESTIONS
~ What training have you had?
I am a DONA trained birth doula. I trained with Rae Davies through The Birth Company in Jacksonville, FL in April 2006.
I intend to be certified through DONA by the end of 2008. I am also working on being certified as a Postpartum doula, Childbirth
Educator, Teen Pregnancy and Lactation Educator through CAPPA.
~ Tell me about your experience with birth both personally and as a doula.
I've had two completely different births personally. One unmedicated in a hospital, one emergency birth with drug induction
and an epidural. I respect both births equally because each decision was right for my particular birth.
As a doula, I've seen quite a few miracles (as all births are), mainly in a birth center atmosphere, however I have been
present at hospital births as well.
~ What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
I believe a woman deserves to be completely informed in every aspect of bringing her baby into the world. Choices should
be hers fully, and supported by her birth team. I can not and will not try to influence my ideal during a woman's birth,
I will be completely supportive of her wishes regardless.
~ May we meet to discuss our plans regarding the birth and the role you will play in supporting me through childbirth?
Absolutely. I do not charge any fee to meet with prospective clients and their partners. This meeting is to get a feel
for what your plans are, and if we'd be a good fit. If not, I am more than happy to refer you to the many other doulas in
the Tampa Bay area.
~ May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
It's encouraged very greatly! I keep my phone on and with me M-F from 9am-9pm and Saturday 9am-noon, and if I'm not
available or it's not my business hours, I will try and respond within 2 hours, not exceeding 24 hours.
~ When do you try and join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the hospital?
I like to help laboring women when they are in active labor, however, my policy is that I am available to you 24 hours
a day for two weeks before and two weeks after your due date. I can meet you wherever you need me to, which will be discussed
in our 2nd meeting, when my agreement is signed.
~ Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
Yes, I do with every birth. I also offer Postpartum services if you need them.
~ Do you work with one or more back up doulas for times when you're not available?
Yes, I do. And you have the right to meet my back up(s) prior to your birth to make sure that you work well with them
as well. If not, I will find a back up that will.
~ What are your fees and refund policies?
Please read very carefully the section on the break down of my fees.
I took the average median income for various cities in both Hillsbororough and Pinellas counties. The average $59,000
a year. I base my scale on a combined family income of $40,000 to account for diversity in areas and incomes. The fees range
from $100-$500.
As a trained professional, I do ask fair recompense for my services. However, I also truly value the positive benefits
of doula care, and do not want financial need to make those services inaccessible to mothers who desire them. In addition
I do a few volunteer births (no fee whatsoever) from time to time. They are on a first come first served basis.
I ask for a non-refundable deposit of one half your total agreed upon fee which is typically paid during or shortly after
the prenatal conference (2nd meeting), which is applied to the total due. I will not consider myself obligated to the birth,
or "on-call" until I have received this deposit. The remainder of the fee is due by the 36th week of pregnancy or
one week postpartum, whichever occurs first after the agreement is signed.
Refund Policy. If you do not call me in enough time to attend your birth, I am restricted from performing my duties by
hospital/birth center staff, or any other circumstance beyond my control, I will retain my entire fee. If acts of God, rapid
birth, emergency c-section or other emergency medical circumstances arise I will retain the deposit, but refund your remaining
balance. If I and/or my backup doula fail to attend your birth due to our own fault, I will refund all monies paid.
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