How long have you been practicing? How many births have you attended?
Our team is a mix of varied experience from those practicing since 2002 to newer graduates. Our collective prides itself on our collaboration and mentorship focus. Which means that even if you work with a newer graduate, they are under the direct mentorship of a more experienced naturopathic doctor and doula, with access to them during your birth. So no matter who you work with, you will get the benefit of the experience of our whole team.
What techniques do you use to help me through labor and birth?
Through our team’s experience we have created CONFIDENT BIRTH prenatal class. This class focuses on the techniques we have found work wonders for clients.
Additionally, as we are all naturopathic doctors we may use tools specifically under our regulated scope of practice including but not limited to: acupuncture, botanical medicine, homeopathics.
How do you involve/include my partner during labor and birth?
It depends on their comfort level of desire in participation. We have intake processes for both parents to see how we can best serve families in creating inclusive and family first births. Our role is not to replace your partner, but to assist them in helping you and filling in the gaps of care.
Have you attended births at my birth location and what were your experiences there?
Currently we cover the following cities: Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughn, Aurora, Newmarket, North York, Markham, Scarborough, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa.
Do you have any other clients that have due dates near mine? Do you have a backup doula? If so, may I meet her? How often is your backup doula used?
Sometimes we do! It depends on our caseload that month. Although it is unlikely that you will go into labour at exactly the same time as our other clients, we do have a backup team dedicated to ensuring smooth coverage in the case where your primary doula can not be present. During your on-call period you will receive information regarding who are your backup doulas, their contact information and an opportunity to meet with them. The backup team is SO great we wish they could attend more births, but the reality is that your primary doula is highly likely to be at your birth.
At what point in labor would we meet up? How should I contact you during labor and at what point? Is it okay if it’s in the middle of the night? Are you always on call?
We are on-call for you 24/7 starting at 38 weeks gestation. So yes – please do call us at 3am if your labour has started! We will go over the specifics of how best to mutually communicate and reach us during your appointments. While each client’s care is specific to them and their labour, generally, we will provide virtual support in early labour and meet with you when you are in active labour.
Do you stay for the entire labor and childbirth, or do you have a time limit for long births? How long do you stay after the birth?
While each client’s care is specific to them and their doula, if we are able to connect in active labour we are there until 1-2 hours after your baby is born. We will not leave you high and dry, but we try to aim for 24 hours (without sleep…can be longer if the doula has an opportunity to rest) maximum for safety purposes.
How do you feel about epidurals or any pain medication?
What matters is how you feel about them. Our role is not to choose for you, but to learn about your needs and desires and to assist in creating a positive experience through education, emotional and physical support and advocation.
Do you help with breastfeeding? What’s your experience and training with breastfeeding?
We do! Your birth doula will be able to support you getting started in immediate postpartum, however we also have a dedicated lactation team, including IBCLCs that do home visits. Our lactation team are also available for prenatal lactation education. Let your doula know if you’re interested in more support from a lactation consultant.
The biggest mistake most first time parents make…is that they focus too much on birth preparation and don’t put enough emphasis into what comes after. The 4th trimester can blindside you just as much as an unexpected birth outcome. Put both together, and it can be a serious recipe for overwhelm!
The 4th trimester can blindside you just as much as an unexpected birth outcome.
Now don’t get me wrong, the postpartum period (where you are getting to meet your baby after waiting for so long) IS wonderful and filled with love. It is ALSO commonly filled with anxiety, fatigue, hot flashes, discomfort, mood swings and potentially pain.
This is why at Your Downtown Doula, our birth doulas are still oncall for you 2 weeks postpartum. We will be there for you when your life goes through this big change.
It’s also why we offer visits and classes that aim to educate you before the baby comes, because yes, postpartum brain fog is worse than pregnant brain fog. This way, we can teach you what to expect, what’s normal and what isn’t, and when to reach out to other professionals. This helps you feel confident and prepared for the postpartum period. So you can be resilient through the challenges that come your way, and not crumble under them.
Here is who Your Downtown Doula recommends you work with in the 4th trimester:
(click the links in the headings to be connected with corresponding providers)
WHY? You need to feed your baby. This is an expert on how to do so. Yes – even if you plan on formula feeding!! They will also let you know if you need any tongue tie support.
WHEN? ASAP after birth. Ideally, you have a prenatal breastfeeding education class as well.
WHY? To avoid urinary leaking, pain with sex, to return back to exercise are just some of the reasons. Your pelvic floor did a lot of work during labour and birth, it’s important for you to rehabilitate it appropriately. It’s also still important to see this physiotherapist specialist if you had a c-section.
WHEN? 4-6 weeks after birth
Naturopathic Doctor
*All of our doulas are naturopathic doctors* WHY? There are a lot of body changes in the postpartum period that you may need additional support for, specifically blood work and follow up care with respect to thyroid, gestational diabetes, anemia, and addressing changes in vaginal or gut flora after antibiotics use in birth. Can also be complimentary support in pediatric and family wellbeing settings- think sleep, food introductions, immune support
WHEN? Ideally ongoing care starting prenatally, and checkups done routinely postpartum
WHY? There are a lot of myths out there regarding baby’s sleep, it’s also an area of common frustration for most parents.
WHEN? Ideally take a class prenatally so you are prepared for what the first few months will bring. Physiologically, you can not start sleep training until the baby is about 4-6 months.
Postpartum Doula
WHY? You may not have family or friends that are close to you, or are able to help. You may also need some assistance overnight if you are solo parenting, or your partner has to sleep full nights due to work obligations. Please note while searching for postpartum doulas there is a difference between night time and day time support, and not all postpartum doulas offer both services.
WHEN? Any time postpartum. Can be immediate or anytime things just feel too overwhelming
WHY? Your brain as parents change! With these neurological changes plus the very real life changes you undergo becoming parents you may need some extra emotional support. Studies also show that the transition to parenthood has a significant impact on your relationship! It is important to learn techniques to communicate with your partner and hold self compassion in these growth heavy times. It is also nice to know you are not alone – parent group therapy is also a great resource.
WHEN? Can be initiated whenever you feel the need to.
Body work
Includes massage, cranial sacral therapy, osteopath, chiropractic care, acupuncture, etc
WHY? Nursing can take a toll on your body physically, on top of your labour recovery. Holding your baby often may also add to pre-existing low back pain. These professionals can help ease your discomfort.
WHEN? Initiate with any neck/back/chest/shoulder pain that exacerbates with nursing. Or any low back pain.
Are you preparing for your best possible birth?
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You are setting yourself up for failure if you don’t take a prenatal class.
(I know that sounds harsh, but this is too important of a topic to tiptoe around.)
I know what you’re thinking: “Well of course you would say that, you teach prenatal classes!” True! But, why do I teach them?
Because I truly believe that a GOOD prenatal class is the #1, (yes, NUMBER 1) factor that leads to improved satisfaction surrounding birth. And I’d argue satisfaction with your birth experience is pretty important.
Here’s why this really matters:
About 1 in 4 people who have given birth in the UK, and 1 in 3 in the US, describe their birth as traumatic. (Unfortunately, we don’t have stats in Canada). Not just hard, not just tiring, long or painful, but TRAUMATIC. The birth of your baby should not be a traumatic experience! Even if there are unexpected circumstances, you should not come away from your birth feeling traumatized. It has always been my goal to reduce this statistic.
Knowing this, It honestly shocked me to learn that only 50% of pregnant families in the GTA take prenatal classes. But, I understand why this happens.
You’ve been told childbirth is unpredictable and the doctor will “tell you what to do”.
Yes, birth is unpredictable. And yes, your doctor can tell you what to do, but is this how you want to experience birth? In an effective prenatal class you learn techniques that help you cope with the marathon that labour can be. Being prepared means you have the tools and skills to cope, even when unexpected things arise. Each birth is indeed a unique and individual experience, and yet, there is a benefit to knowing what to generally expect and what to do. Even explorers had a compass to navigate unknown lands.
Your OB is definitely an important resource but they don’t arrive until the baby is literally ready to be born. Unless there are complications. (I like to say a birth is going well when you barely see the OB). You will have some assistance from the nurse but their primary role is to perform regular medical checks of you and the baby. Your birth is likely to progress normally, which means you and your partner are largely on your own: first labouring at home, then making your way to the hospital, then waiting in triage to be assessed, and then continuing in the labour and delivery room.
It is very possible that some of the recommendations from your nurses and even your OB will not be evidence based. Many things are simply hospital policy or individual bias of the care provider. Did you know that on average it takes about 20 years (yup) for policy to catch up to current evidence. The unfortunate reality is that the onus is on you to come armed with knowledge, questions and the ability to advocate for yourself and your baby.
“I’m going to get an epidural, so I don’t need to prepare or learn coping skills”
In the movies: Water breaks. Rush to hospital. Get an epidural. Aaah, relief.
In reality: Early labour may last days. You get to the hospital triage and wait for a long time before getting assessed. Hopefully you didn’t arrive too early (or you’ll be waiting some more). Eventually you get to your labouring room and you request an epidural. If it’s a busy time (labour and delivery is the busiest place in the hospital), you may be waiting up to a couple hours more. Very occasionally, the epidural doesn’t work. Or, your labour is progressing so quickly that there is no time to get an epidural.
No one seems to tell you that you may be in labour for a long time before you get an epidural. So if getting an epidural is your only “coping” mechanism, you’ll be in for a rough ride.
Learning comfort measures and relaxation exercises for labour and birth is not just for those wanting a natural birth. Learning these things gives you tools you can use in any birth situation which increases your chance for a positive birth experience.
“I’ve heard that hospital classes are not very useful.”
“I can’t find one that works with my schedule”.
“I’d rather have just the information that applies to me and my birthing situation and preferences”
I get it, you have access to all the information you could ever dream of on the internet. However, it takes time to filter through all of it and do you even know what to look for? If you’ve never given birth before, how will you know what “method” to learn? What if someone who has supported many families in a range of birth situations was able to teach you the inside tips and tricks to help you feel calm and confident during labour and birth. Yes, being calm and confident during childbirth is entirely possible! In fact I believe that every pregnant person DESERVES to be calm and confident during this very important life changing event!
If group classes and their schedules don’t work for you – consider a private prenatal program. I’ve noticed that clients seem to get more out of private classes because I’m able to individualize information. Clients also love that the classes are scheduled around their convenience.
Birth has basically been a terrifying mystery your whole life.
I remember the initial joy I had when learning about birth in medical school. I finally understood what goes on, from implantation, pregnancy and birth. It resonated with me, my intuition, it was normal – I didn’t have to be afraid of it. My education empowered me. However, the joy was quickly followed by frustration. Why did it take a medical degree to learn this, why didn’t I know in my prime “child bearing age” anything about birth outside of the dramatized ER births on television.
Most people are very afraid of giving birth, and don’t really want to think about it. But knowledge truly is power. If you understand what you body is doing during labour, how the muscles work, how your baby is working with you then you can learn how to work with your body and not against it.
Ok, so prenatal classes are essential for a positive birth experience. But how do you figure out which class to take? Not all classes are equal – do your research. For your convenience I’ve created the following checklist:
Will your prenatal class include ALL of the following?
-Ends when you are 37 weeks pregnant or earlier
-Teaches and practices in-class practical relaxation exercises that you can use
during labour (helpful for after birth too!)
-Teaches your partner how to be a GREAT birthing partner
-Covers stages of labour and birth from a non-fear based approach
-Covers the birth plan in an evidence-based approach so you feel educated and empowered about what to expect and how to manage labour and childbirth
-Includes a workbook with exercises to help you prepare mentally and emotionally
-Includes additional resources such as audio recordings, videos and props
-Allows you to contact the instructor directly in case you have any questions or concerns
-Treats birth as a physical and emotional experience and not simply a textbook reading assignment.
-Celebrates the miracle and power of pregnancy and childbirth!
If you’re on a budget, the City of Toronto has a free online prenatal class here →“Welcome to Parenting”
Yes, that’s right, I’d rather you take ANY prenatal class, even if it’s not mine.
However, I and another birth-loving ND’s and doula colleagues, have created our Confident Birth Prenatal Program specifically from our experiences as mothers who have given birth, and as doulas who have supported birthing families. From our many years working in this area, we observed and listened. The result? A prenatal program that meets all the criteria above. And as the name implies, you WILL feel more confident and prepared for childbirth.
I want families to feel empowered, calm and confident. Getting educated and having resources helps. I teach and work with families because I LOVE sharing all the wonderful, interesting, mind-blowing things that your body does in labour and how you can help it do its job easier.
We’re so passionate about helping families get a positive start to parenthood through positive birth we offer not just one but two different prenatal programs!
It depends. On a lot of factors. Let’s break this down in an easy way. Take a few minutes and ask yourself the following questions:
What is important to you in your birth experience?
Do you have a birth companion?
What kind of support do you expect from your birth companion?
Are they capable of giving your that support?
Do they have the tools and knowledge to support you?
If you answered YES to #2 but NO to #4 and #5.
You *might* be able to get away without a doula if you take a prenatal class that focuses on educating you and your birth companion on coping techniques, how to use them in labour, and common interventions – for example our Confident Birth Program. You may find that your birth companion may be enough, armed with the information they have learned to help you with your answer in #1.
If you answered YES to #2, #4, #5 you may decide to still work with a doula for one of the following reasons:
I understand that my labour may be longer, and I value the idea of my partner being able to rest so that they may help me more after baby is born.
My partner feels anxiety regarding whether they can be whatever I need them to be/remember it all etc, so it would be good to have knowledgeable and comforting help in addition.
(*Research has shown that the most positive birth experiences for fathers were ones where they had continuous support by a doula or a midwife.)
I know that statistics show that moms have better birth experiences and less medical interventions when a doula is present
(*Although continuous support can also be offered by birth partners, midwives, nurses, or even some physicians, research has shown that with some outcomes, doulas have a stronger effect than other types of support persons.)
I desire a low-intervention and/or no-intervention labour and understand the skill set and assistance a birth doula provides can support those goals even further then I can alone, or solely with my birth companion.
I experience anxiety with hospitals, medical equipment, etc.
I understand a birth doula may have other areas of help and support that they can share with me to smooth my transition into parenthood. (For example, Lactation Support)
I feel birth is more than just a biological event, and would like to work with someone who treats it more holistically.
If you answered NO to #2, I would highly recommend a doula.
If this has piqued your interest or you’d like some more questions answered, you can book a complimentary Meet & Greet with a doula from our collective today! We’ll spend about 15 minutes with you in a video chat to answer you personal questions and help you decide if we’re the right match to support you in your birth!
Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND
*Evidence Based Birth, “Evidence on: Doulas”, May 4, 2010, Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN.
To epidural or not to epidural… is that even the important question?
Dr. Olivia Chubey, ND
Do you want an epidural?
Great!
Do you want to labour and birth without an epidural?
Great!
Do you want to wait as long as possible before getting one? Or, get it as soon as possible?
Regardless of your personal preferences or medical necessities, in every circumstance – the real question is ‘can I cope with this’?
Cope with discomfort, with pain, with the pressure of being a parent, doing the right thing for me – for baby…and the list of things goes on and on….
The birth of your baby and the labour process, is a complex, enigmatic, beautiful collision of science, faith, luck, love and transformation. But when discussed in modern science – it is usually reduced to pain. (If I were to extrapolate further, the entire birth experience often is reduced to: whether you will tear, what gender you are having/do you have a name, and whether you will breastfeed)
And I get that. Pain is scary. We are also wired to want to avoid pain, just like birth – it’s human nature, so it’s no wonder it’s become such a focus of our energy.
So whether or not you want, or need, the epidural, there are so many techniques/ways of being that can help get you more comfortable and able to cope – so that birth can be more than just about the pain.
Here is a quick breakdown of some of them
Breathing Techniques
Visualization techniques
Relaxation techniques
Using hand on manual therapies
Positions
Water
Music
Affirmations
Education – understanding your body and also the hospital interventions
An active birth companion [partner doula or otherwise] and supportive healthcare team
I want you to know these and how to use them.
I am deeply passionate about sharing the education, training and experience that I have with you. I want to support you through one of your most vulnerable experiences.
My hope, by doing so, is tofurther reduce the statistic of you calling your birth a ‘traumatic experience.’
Connect with me, or anyone on our team – we are all just as passionate about this!
Think about the last movie you saw that featured someone giving birth. I’m guessing there was a woman screaming, a man freaking out, and a doctor yelling “Push, push push!”
Katherine Heigl in ‘Knocked Up’
Now tell me how many of your friends are terrified by the thought of giving birth? Maybe you’re included in that group!
Popular culture does a really good job propagating the culture of fear around birth.
And that translates into our everyday lives.
You hear negativity about birth all the time. Even friends who haven’t had kids say things like “oh, you’ll be screaming for the meds” or “are you ready for your body to be destroyed”.
I remember in my first maternal and newborn care class, so many of my friends whispered to each other during lecture about how scared they were.
I was scared too – how could I block out all that negativity?
But those lectures taught us about physiology. About how pregnancy is not a medical condition, it’s normal.
This drove me to look further, to learn more.
So, I dove head first into the birth world. Reading books, articles, watching videos. This led me to a doula training. Everything confirmed what I learned in those first lectures.
Birth doesn’t have to be scary. It doesn’t even have to be painful!
My education and understanding of physiology took away my fear.
It also got me incredibly excited! I NEEDED to learn how to help parents achieve empowering birth experiences.
This lead me to HypnoBirthing. This training taught me techniques that help parents remain calm and relaxed. Techniques that work WITH our physiology, to facilitate empowering birth regardless of circumstances.
How we view things matters.
So, that crazy pop culture birth scenario doesn’t have to be my experience. It doesn’t have to be anyone’s experience.
The more I go to births, the more I see how beautiful these moments could be. Labour can be a sacred space. Parents can connect with each other and welcome their babies into warm, nurturing environments.
All of these experiences have completely change my outlook about birth. Now, I look forward to becoming a mother and naturally birthing my baby. There is no more fear.
You are setting yourself up for failure if you don’t take a prenatal class.
(I know that sounds harsh, but this is too important of a topic to tiptoe around.)
I know what you’re thinking: “Well of course you would say that, you teach prenatal classes!” True! But, why do I teach them?
Because I truly believe that a GOOD prenatal class is the #1, (yes, NUMBER 1) factor that leads to improved satisfaction surrounding birth. And I’d argue satisfaction with your birth experience is pretty important.
Here’s why this really matters:
About 1 in 4 people who have given birth in the UK, and 1 in 3 in the US, describe their birth as traumatic. (Unfortunately, we don’t have stats in Canada). Not just hard, not just tiring, long or painful, but TRAUMATIC. The birth of your baby should not be a traumatic experience! Even if there are unexpected circumstances, you should not come away from your birth feeling traumatized. It has always been my goal to reduce this statistic.
Knowing this, It honestly shocked me to learn that only 50% of pregnant families in the GTA take prenatal classes. But, I understand why this happens.
You’ve been told childbirth is unpredictable and the doctor will “tell you what to do”.
Yes, birth is unpredictable. And yes, your doctor can tell you what to do, but is this how you want to experience birth? In an effective prenatal class you learn techniques that help you cope with the marathon that labour can be. Being prepared means you have the tools and skills to cope, even when unexpected things arise. Each birth is indeed a unique and individual experience, and yet, there is a benefit to knowing what to generally expect and what to do. Even explorers had a compass to navigate unknown lands.
Your OB is definitely an important resource but they don’t arrive until the baby is literally ready to be born. Unless there are complications. (I like to say a birth is going well when you barely see the OB). You will have some assistance from the nurse but their primary role is to perform regular medical checks of you and the baby. Your birth is likely to progress normally, which means you and your partner are largely on your own: first labouring at home, then making your way to the hospital, then waiting in triage to be assessed, and then continuing in the labour and delivery room.
It is very possible that some of the recommendations from your nurses and even your OB will not be evidence based. Many things are simply hospital policy or individual bias of the care provider. Did you know that on average it takes about 20 years (yup) for policy to catch up to current evidence. The unfortunate reality is that the onus is on you to come armed with knowledge, questions and the ability to advocate for yourself and your baby.
“I’m going to get an epidural, so I don’t need to prepare or learn coping skills”
In the movies: Water breaks. Rush to hospital. Get an epidural. Aaah, relief.
In reality: Early labour may last days. You get to the hospital triage and wait for a long time before getting assessed. Hopefully you didn’t arrive too early (or you’ll be waiting some more). Eventually you get to your labouring room and you request an epidural. If it’s a busy time (labour and delivery is the busiest place in the hospital), you may be waiting up to a couple hours more. Very occasionally, the epidural doesn’t work. Or, your labour is progressing so quickly that there is no time to get an epidural.
No one seems to tell you that you may be in labour for a long time before you get an epidural. So if getting an epidural is your only “coping” mechanism, you’ll be in for a rough ride.
Learning comfort measures and relaxation exercises for labour and birth is not just for those wanting a natural birth. Learning these things gives you tools you can use in any birth situation which increases your chance for a positive birth experience.
“I’ve heard that hospital classes are not very useful.”
“I can’t find one that works with my schedule”.
“I’d rather have just the information that applies to me and my birthing situation and preferences”
I get it, you have access to all the information you could ever dream of on the internet. However, it takes time to filter through all of it and do you even know what to look for? If you’ve never given birth before, how will you know what “method” to learn? What if someone who has supported many families in a range of birth situations was able to teach you the inside tips and tricks to help you feel calm and confident during labour and birth. Yes, being calm and confident during childbirth is entirely possible! In fact I believe that every pregnant person DESERVES to be calm and confident during this very important life changing event!
If group classes and their schedules don’t work for you – consider a private prenatal program. I’ve noticed that clients seem to get more out of private classes because I’m able to individualize information. Clients also love that the classes are scheduled around their convenience.
Birth has basically been a terrifying mystery your whole life.
I remember the initial joy I had when learning about birth in medical school. I finally understood what goes on, from implantation, pregnancy and birth. It resonated with me, my intuition, it was normal – I didn’t have to be afraid of it. My education empowered me. However, the joy was quickly followed by frustration. Why did it take a medical degree to learn this, why didn’t I know in my prime “child bearing age” anything about birth outside of the dramatized ER births on television.
Most people are very afraid of giving birth, and don’t really want to think about it. But knowledge truly is power. If you understand what you body is doing during labour, how the muscles work, how your baby is working with you then you can learn how to work with your body and not against it.
Ok, so prenatal classes are essential for a positive birth experience. But how do you figure out which class to take? Not all classes are equal – do your research. For your convenience I’ve created the following checklist:
Will your prenatal class include ALL of the following?
Ends when you are 37 weeks pregnant or earlier
Teaches and practices in-class practical relaxation exercises that you can use
during labour (helpful for after birth too!)
Teaches your partner how to be a GREAT birthing partner
Covers stages of labour and birth from a non-fear based approach
Covers the birth plan in an evidence-based approach so you feel educated and empowered about what to
expect and how to manage labour and childbirth
Includes a workbook with exercises to help you prepare mentally and emotionally
Includes additional resources such as audio recordings, videos and props
Allows you to contact the instructor directly in case you have any questions or concerns
Treats birth as a physical and emotional experience and not simply a textbook reading assignment.
Celebrates the miracle and power of pregnancy and childbirth!
If you’re on a budget, the City of Toronto has a free online prenatal class here →“Welcome to Parenting”
Yes, that’s right, I’d rather you take ANY prenatal class, even if it’s not mine.
However, I and another birth-loving ND’s and doula colleagues, have created our Confident Birth Prenatal Program specifically from our experiences as mothers who have given birth, and as doulas who have supported birthing families. From our many years working in this area, we observed and listened. The result? A prenatal program that meets all the criteria above. And as the name implies, you WILL feel more confident and prepared for childbirth.
I want families to feel empowered, calm and confident. Getting educated and having resources helps. I teach and work with families because I LOVE sharing all the wonderful, interesting, mind-blowing things that your body does in labour and how you can help it do its job easier.
We’re so passionate about helping families get a positive start to parenthood through positive birth we offer not just one but two different prenatal programs!
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Our team is a mix of varied experience from those practicing since 2002 to newer graduates. Our collective prides itself on our collaboration and mentorship focus. Which means that even if you work with a newer graduate, they are under the direct mentorship of a more experienced naturopathic doctor and doula, with access to them during your birth. So no matter who you work with, you will get the benefit of the experience of our whole team.
It depends on their comfort level of desire in participation. We have intake processes for both parents to see how we can best serve families in creating inclusive and family first births. Our role is not to replace your partner, but to assist them in helping you and filling in the gaps of care. 
Currently we cover the following cities: Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Vaughn, Aurora, Newmarket, North York, Markham, Scarborough, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa.
Sometimes we do! It depends on our caseload that month. Although it is unlikely that you will go into labour at exactly the same time as our other clients, we do have a backup team dedicated to ensuring smooth coverage in the case where your primary doula can not be present. During your on-call period you will receive information regarding who are your backup doulas, their contact information and an opportunity to meet with them. The backup team is SO great we wish they could attend more births, but the reality is that your primary doula is highly likely to be at your birth. 
We are on-call for you 24/7 starting at 38 weeks gestation. So yes – please do call us at 3am if your labour has started! We will go over the specifics of how best to mutually communicate and reach us during your appointments. While each client’s care is specific to them and their labour, generally, we will provide virtual support in early labour and meet with you when you are in active labour.
While each client’s care is specific to them and their doula, if we are able to connect in active labour we are there until 1-2 hours after your baby is born. We will not leave you high and dry, but we try to aim for 24 hours (without sleep…can be longer if the doula has an opportunity to rest) maximum for safety purposes. 
What matters is how you feel about them. Our role is not to choose for you, but to learn about your needs and desires and to assist in creating a positive experience through education, emotional and physical support and advocation. 
We do! Your birth doula will be able to support you getting started in immediate postpartum, however we also have a dedicated lactation team, including IBCLCs that do home visits. Our lactation team are also available for prenatal lactation education. Let your doula know if you’re interested in more support from a lactation consultant. 
