FAQs | Scroll down to explore some of my most commonly asked questions.
Are you certified as a doula?
Yes! I am certified through Doula Training International. I earned my certification in 2021.
Are you certified as a Childbirth Educator?
Yes! I am certified through Doula Training International. I earned my certification in 2022.
What kinds of birth do you specialize in? Do you support hypno birthing?
As a birth doula, I specialize in supporting military families, families that choose home birth to include water birth and those that prefer low intervention birth or “holistic” birth practices. Many mothers desire a “natural birth” however this basic term is drastically different from person to person and as your doula we dedicate several hours discussing your preferences and helping me get a clear understanding of your needs, preferences and how to best support you and your partner. Yes, I support hypnobirthing!
What is hypnobirthing?
Hypno emphasizes the following principles; positive affirmations, suggestions, and visualizations to relax the birthing body, guide thoughts, and control breathing. As a doula I utilize many coping skills and techniques to soothe momma and provide support. Examples are listed over on my services page. My approach is a blend of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual domains that incorporates evidence based practices along with compassionate care. Hypno is an example of a birthing mindset (mental domain) which promoters physical harmony (physical domain). Some moms find they want to pursue a hypnobirthing class by a certified instructor as a part of their childbirth education experience. I find that my clients respond best to a combination of multiple approaches -hypno, physical movement, gentle touch, social support, empathy, and environmental considerations (light, noise, distraction etc.)
Do you have a Doula contract?
Yes! For more information, please contact me at paraviondoula@gmail.com
I do not see a phone number listed, how can I contact you?
Please email me and I can provide you my phone number, this is to protect my privacy and avoid internet spam as I currently use my personal cell phone for my clients.
What is your fee?
My Doula Birth Package is $1500, with a $100 retainer required at contract signing. In recognition of teachers, service members and first responders I offer the option of a voucher for either a free childbirth education course or a 20% credit towards my Doula fee.
Teachers and educators in the K-12 field are everyday heroes, the client must be employed in this role to receive the credit. In honor of our nation’s service members, first responders and their families (including Active Duty, Guard/Reserve or Veterans, fire fighters, EMTs, police officers, or paramedics) either the client or spouse/partner must be employed in this role to receive the credit.
My fee allows me to keep my client roster balanced so that I can fully commit to each birth. I limit clients to 2 a month to ensure I am available for each birth, while balancing life as a working mom.
What special training or experience do you have?
I received my certification in trauma informed survivor advocacy in 2011 through the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program accredited by NOVA National Organization for Victim Assistance. I have continued to serve in this role for the past 10+ years. I believe this is a vital aspect to birth work as we bring our entire life experience into our birth space. I have attended multiple continuing education courses to include infant, child, and adult CPR, childbirth education classes, and breastfeeding education. I believe in inclusive reproductive justice and informed consent for all birthing persons. I support all birthing persons regardless or race, ethnicity, religion, economic background, sexual orientation or gender identity.
In addition to my knowledge and insight gained after 16 years as an officer in the Air Force, I have aided survivors through the challenges of reporting, and testifying in their own defense. These moments have easily been some of the most rewarding days in my professional career. It is an honor to serve alongside of such incredibly brave service members and witness them triumph over their trauma. So much of what I have learned as a VA directly translates to doula work, my mantra is simple...I believe in you.
What is a doula?
In the simplest terms, a doula is a professional non-medical labor support person. Doulas are more common in home birth and birth center settings, because of the holistic philosophy present in those birth spaces. Doulas generally have the most to offer in assisting mothers who are seeking to labor with minimal medical intervention. Considering that many hospital births involve access to pain medication and surgical birth, a doula can still provide support, although it would be unlikely for a doula to attend a scheduled cesarean section. There are many variations in birth, a doula is there to support the birthing person regardless of the birth outcome, therefore interviewing several doulas and medical providers is the best way to determine what type of birth support you are most comfortable with. Some common reasons a birthing person would hire a doula may include; desire to labor with minimal medical intervention/pain medication, desire for emotional and physical support in pregnancy, labor and birth, desire to have an experienced labor support person for mother/father in their first birth, desire to have an experienced labor support person in lieu of family support, desire to have an experienced labor support person for improving outcomes from a previous birth (i.e. previous hospital birth/induction/cesarean followed by subsequent home birth).
What is the difference between a doula, a midwife and a labor and delivery nurse?
The short answer is training, philosophy, and protocol. A Midwife may be trained as a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Professional Midwife (CPM), or lay-midwife/traditional midwife (not certified). To learn more you can visit Midwives Alliance of North America, MANA's website.
A midwife may practice in a hospital, birth center or homebirth setting. A Doula is not required to be certified to assist in birth. However, many chose to earn a certification or pursue additional qualifications that compliment their practice. A Midwife serves as the medical provider in the birth setting, monitoring the health of mother and baby throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum. A doula primarily assists the mother in birth between early and active labor depending on the arrangement between the client and doula. Generally a midwife will aim to arrive after active labor is established. The doula can provide a communication bridge for the midwife and help determine labor progress but is not qualified to perform internal cervical checks.
For mothers who chose to labor in a hospital or birth center, a doula would be dedicated to supporting the mother throughout her labor, this could be several hours or more before a midwife or doctor would be present for the second stage of labor referred to as the pushing stage or actual childbirth. A labor and delivery nurse is a highly trained medical provider most often present in a hospital setting and therefore monitors multiple laboring mothers at a time, regardless of shift change and in most cases with no prior relationship or rapport with the laboring mother. A doula's expertise specializes in the non-medical support aspects of birth which can be rather extensive and adapted to the birth space and mother's preferences, a doula is familiar with the desired birth plan, knows the mother and birth partner's name, knows their preferences, and is solely dedicated to their client and baby.
There are many options in childbirth, selecting your birth care team is an essential part of your birth experience. It's worth bearing in mind, that many birthing persons find the relationship they form with their midwife and doula throughout their prenatal care is crucial to the emotional wellbeing of their experience in labor and birth.