FAQ
Doula services Ottawa
FAQ’s
What does a doula do?
From pregnancy through to postpartum, doulas offer emotional and physical support to you and your partner, boosting confidence and self assurance throughout the process. While honouring your wishes, I can empower you and your partner to make informed choices, ensuring the safest, most comfortable birth experience. It’s important that you can make the decisions that best suit your family. Since the birth world offers many differing opinions and options, I can help facilitate discussions by offering resources and knowledge to help you tap into your intuition.
Please see my services page for an in-depth explanation of my role during your journey to motherhood.
I have a great doctor/midwife and I will have a nurse, do I really need a doula too?
Good question! Doctors, midwives and nurses can all offer great support, but it’s important to remember that their main role in your birth is to keep you and baby safe. They are busy charting, monitoring, seeing other patients or taking resting breaks so that they can be refreshed and alert for you when you need them most; the birth.
As a doula, I will compliment and work with your care team, remaining constant and present throughout the entire labor & delivery phase. My role is to nurture your emotions; to encourage and keep you comfortable, so that your Doctor, midwife or nurse can provide you with the care you require.
I can also provide additional information during the birthing period, acting as an advisor and translator, to ensure that you are empowered to make the right decisions in the moments where decisions need to be made.
"Tania helped me with the baby, bringing him to me, changing him, putting him to sleep or just holding him while I slept. It was comforting to know someone was there and it alleviated the burden off my family and the busy hospital staff." Beatrice read more
Do I need a Doula if I already have someone (my mom, partner, or friend) to be with me during my labor and birth?
I will work seamlessly with your support system to increase the overall level of comfort. I can provide support by teaching techniques and encouraging them so that they can better attend to you. Mom, partners or friends are emotionally involved and it can sometimes be difficult for them to remain calm, grounded and unbiased when they are watching a loved one in discomfort. I can compliment the support by ensuring the space remains both sacred and calm.
I will allow your companion to have their own experience of the birth; they are able to cut the cord, hold the baby and feel comfortable knowing that I am with you at all moments, holding your hand, wiping your forehead or offering encouragement. My presence provides an opportunity for your birth partner to call loved ones, have a meal/coffee, or rest without feeling as though they have left you alone.
At which point in my pregnancy should I hire a doula?
Doulas can be helpful at any point in your pregnancy, depending on the needs of the mother. Although hiring a doula early in the pregnancy will allow the time to discuss nutrition, explore physical and emotional changes, and allow you to feel fully supported throughout the experience.
Regardless of when we start to work together, the focus is on building a trusting relationship and working together to facilitate a safe and memorable experience.