Question 1

What is a doula? Is that different from a midwife?

Accepted Answer

A doula and a midwife are very different. As a doula, I am a non-medical provider that focuses on providing emotional and physical support to birthing people before, during and after labor. As a doula, I help guide your labor by offering suggestions for comfort measures, positioning and pain relief techniques. A Midwife is a medical provider who focuses on the health and safety of you and your baby. Your midwife might also do some of the same things that a doula does but a doula does not assist with any medical procedures, including delivering babies. As your doula, I am a consistent support provider. I don’t have any other laboring people to monitor, unlike your doctor/OB or nurse. Continuous support during labor is one of the best ways to improve your birth experience.

Question 2

What are the benefits of a doula?

Accepted Answer

Birth doulas are statistically proven to improve outcomes*: 31% decrease in the use of Pitocin 28% decrease in the risk of C-section 12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth 9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief 14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to the NICU 34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience   * https://evidencebasedbirth.com/the-evidence-for-doulas/

Question 3

Why do I need a doula when I have my spouse/partner for support?

Accepted Answer

As a doula, my job is not to replace your partner. I want to work in conjunction with your partner to make your birth the best it can be. Birth can be very intimate and I don’t want to get in the way of these special moments. My job is to help facilitate a birthing environment that allows you both to have a memorable experience . Your partner knows you best. I work with your partner to support you and I support your partner. They also need to be reminded to rest, hydrate and breathe.

Question 4

I'm having an epidural or c-section. Can I still have a doula?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I support all types of birth. Even if you are having a scheduled c-section or are interested in an epidural, a doula can be an invaluable resource. I can still provide emotional and physical support during birth regardless of how the birth is happening. I can provide education on what to expect and I can provide support to partners and family who are waiting for you to come out of surgery. I truly believe that every birthing person who wants a doula, should have one.

Question 5

When is the best time to hire a doula?

Accepted Answer

Anytime. Doulas provide a variety of services for pregnant folks, folks looking to get pregnant and folks who have recently, or not, given birth. I provide a range of services for pregnant and birthing people. You can hire me as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test or as late as 40+ weeks pregnant.

Question 6

Does health insurance cover doula services?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. However, there are some instances where you might be able to get doula services covered. I am happy to create a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement. You can also use your FSA or HSA to cover birth doula services. If you have Tricare, I am a Non-Network provider and your doula services may be covered. You can also create a registry on BeHerVillage to help get your doula services covered. Add doula support, lactation support or childbirth education from Peachy Births: Doula and Lactation Services by clicking here: https://behervillage.com/partners/peachybirthsdoulaandlactationservicesllc

Question 7

How much are doula services?

Accepted Answer

I charge one flat fee of $700 that covers up to 2 prenatal visits, your labor and delivery and 1 postpartum visit with lactation support. You can get a discount on your doula package if your insurance covers lactation services.

Question 8

Do you have availability for my birth?

Accepted Answer

I only take a small number of clients every month, so the sooner you book the better. You can check my availability on my doula match page. https://doulamatch.net/profile/17947/ashley-haden-peaches-cd-dona-ibclc-lmsw

Question 9

Can I set up a payment plan?

Accepted Answer

Birth can be very expensive. I know that trying to cover all the costs is stressful. Talk to me about a payment plan that suits your needs. You can also create a registry on BeHerVillage to get your doula services funded. Add doula support, lactation support or childbirth education from Peachy Births: Doula and Lactation Services by clicking here: https://behervillage.com/partners/peachybirthsdoulaandlactationservicesllc

Question 10

What is a lactation professional?

Accepted Answer

Lactation professionals hold a variety of different credentials, all with the goal of helping people who are interested in feeding their babies human milk. There are International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselors (CLC), Certified Breastfeeding Specialists (CBS), Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC), Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (with your local WIC office or La Leche League) and several others. Each type of professional has different education and training requirements. IBCLC is the hardest to obtain but that doesn’t always mean they are the most knowledgeable about your situation. However, IBCLCs are generally who you go to if you have a complex issue.

Question 11

When should I hire a lactation professional?

Accepted Answer

Anytime, but the sooner the better. Establishing a relationship with a lactation professional during pregnancy is a good idea. You can take a lactation class as well get a general idea of what to expect in the early days of feeding your baby. If your baby is already born, reach out as soon as any issues arise. Don’t wait until you are feeling too overwhelmed to get help. Early support is important to securing a positive breast/chest feeding relationship.

Question 12

What can I expect during a lactation appointment?

Accepted Answer

Before your appointment, I’ll request that you complete a thorough (and I mean thorough) intake form so I can truly assess what your issues might be. You’ll also get plenty of instructions on what to do before we meet so that we can get the most out of the session. I’ll do a complete lactation assessment for you and your baby. I’ll watch you latch and nurse your baby (and/or pump) and I’ll offer suggestions on how to correct any problems. After our appointment, I’ll create a care plan with the details we discussed and next steps.

Question 13

Does health insurance cover lactation services?

Accepted Answer

They are supposed to. However, not all insurances do and not all insurance covers all lactation professionals and their services. I am also a Non-Network provider with Tricare and an In Network provider with Aetna. For other insurances, you can verify your coverage through The Lactation Network, go to: https://go.lactationnetwork.com/PeachyBirthsDoulaAndLactationServicesLLC.  If you are denied with Lactation Network, Tricare, Aetna, I am happy to create a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement and I can work with you if you get a denial. You can also use your FSA or HSA to cover lactation services.

Question 14

I want to combo feed both human milk and formula. Can I still get help from a lactation professional?

Accepted Answer

Yes! As a lactation professional, I want to help you be successful and reach your goals, whatever those are. If you want to provide human milk in a bottle only by pumping exclusively, great, let’s chat! If you want to nurse your baby for 3 months and switch to formula, great, let’s chat! If you want to provide human milk during the night and formula during the day, great, let’s chat. If you want to nurse for 2+ years, great, let’s chat! Whatever your goals are, I want to help you reach those.

Question 15

I'm not sure if I want to breast/chest/body feed.

Accepted Answer

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding if providing human milk for your baby is right for you. If you are on the fence, taking a prenatal lactation class can help you get a better idea of what to expect and if it's right for you. I offer private classes (or classes with a friend) so you can ask all the questions you need. This can be a hard decision but ultimately INFORMED is best when it comes to feeding a baby.