Doula Support –
Here you will find some commonly asked questions regarding doula services. Always reach out if you have any additional questions!
Great question! “By having a doula, you are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, shorter labor, and less likely to have pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about your childbirth experience, vacuum or forceps assist, and cesarean births.” (Bohren, Hofmeyr, Sakala, et al., Chochrine Reviews, July 2017). Not only does the research support the benefits of a doula, but being able to surround yourself with someone who is empathetic and truly understands is so important to achieving your dream birth.
Birth Boot Camp Doulas are trained to assist you and your family with any type of birth, whether it be unmedicated, medicated, or a cesarean birth. Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support to you and your family before and during labor, facilitate positive communication with your birth team, and create a calming environment in your birth space.
I’m available to for prenatal support you as soon as you pay your deposit and sign your contract! This means I’m there for you; if you need any resources, book recommendations, if you’re feeling great or discouraged, or if you need to chat about a decision, a feeling, or anything else, I’m a phone call or text away. At a minimum, however, I’ll always encourage you to contact me after each prenatal appointment via our group text thread, just so we all stay updated. The official on-call time frame begins when you reach 38 weeks.
Absolutely! Today’s environment is unpredictable, to say the least, and meeting a backup doula for the first time when you are in labor is just not okay. JJ Jenks is my primary backup, and you will have an opportunity to get to know her throughout your pregnancy journey. She will join us at least one prenatal meeting, and depending on your chosen package, will provide prenatal massage services as well as on-call services. We will also establish a group texting thread so that everyone is kept up to date with how things are going. You are welcome to contact her at any time.
Great question! I will send you an email with a special code that you can use online when you book with JJ using this link. If you don’t see a day and time that works for you, just contact JJ at any time and she will open a time slot for you.
We’ve got you covered. The 38 week on-call time frame is more for planning purposes so we know how many clients we can contract with per month, as well as to establish our own personal schedules and travel. There are always unforeseen circumstances that can happen with birth, and that’s why we firmly believe in backup support.
Unfortunately, I currently serve the Colorado Springs area; however, JJ does have a wider radius, depending on the situation.
No, unfortunately I cannot attend a home birth without a qualified midwife or care provider present.
This can be an overwhelming feeling; I’m right there with you, every step of the way. Unfortunately, today’s hospital policies and standard operating procedures are constantly changing. I always encourage clients to keep up with the latest changes so there are no surprises. If, due to policy, I cannot attend to you in-person, I will still support you virtually via text, phone, and video.
Doulas are an enormous asset to you, even in the unlikely event of an unplanned cesarean birth. I am here to help prepare you for this big decision (emotionally and physically), as well as to help you immediately following your birth. Before I leave you, I ensure that you’re feeling comfortable, baby is fed, and we have discussed some additional postpartum resources and plans for you. If a cesarean birth becomes necessary and you do not have any trial of labor, you have options!
We see this question being asked a lot! So often, in fact, that JJ and I have revamped our birth fees and contract to allow for partial refunds for extenuating circumstances. Many doulas’ fees are non-refundable, but we want you to know that you have options, from postpartum support to lactation consultations and more.
Absolutely! This is a great option and I’m excited to offer it. After you receive an invoice, you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for either doula services and/or childbirth education classes.
Belly binding is a part of many ancient traditions that has roots in many cultures. It is done during the first 40 days postpartum, a time for a woman to heal and bond with new life. Belly binding can be done for a number of reasons: to honor the life-giving body and uterus, to give a sense of grounding to the postpartum body (it is a strange sensation to no longer feel baby on the inside!), to help the body return to the pre-pregnancy state, to encourage good breastfeeding posture, and it has even held claim to helping with diastasis recti. Belly binding can be accomplished after a vaginal or cesarean birth, with clearance from your care provider. This is an add on service, so feel free to ask about it at any time!
If there’s anything specific that you’re interested in, just ask! I am always adding to my professional resources, so if I don’t have it, I may look into purchasing it. Otherwise, often times I make book recommendations specially for you, if you’re interested. I ask that any and all resources be returned by 8 weeks postpartum.
Childbirth Education –
Here you will find more information regarding childbirth education classes and workshops. Reach out for any additional questions!
For better or worse, our culture has shifted from a centered one to an individual one; because of this shift, many of us are not familiar with or have experienced birth before it’s our time to birth. There are many aspects of birth that can seem overwhelming, unknown, or even scary to those who are not surrounded by it. Birth Boot Camp classes and workshops are specifically designed to prepare you for any type of birth, be it your first or fourth. I’ll give you the information you need to know without the fear (no Googling, just evidence-based, unbiased information), and we’ll be sure to discuss everything else you need to feel confident and empowered.
Birth partners come in many forms and can be anyone from your spouse or significant other, to your mother, sister, friend, or other family member. Whomever you choose as your partner for birth, it’s always best to have the same knowledge base in case birth unfolds in an unexpected way. Additionally, class always includes partners and what they can do to specifically help you during labor. Your birth experience matters!
Birth Boot Camp childbirth classes and workshops are designed specifically for you and your birth partner to focus on your upcoming birth and bond together. Unfortunately, having children in the room distracts from this important preparation. In addition, due to the unavoidable nature of childbirth classes, the concepts and vocabulary within may be inappropriate for small children in particular.
Great question! The Hospital class contains the same content as the Home & Birth Center class, but with one extra session that focuses on due dates, induction methods, hospital policy, and active vs. expectant management of labor. Although hospital transfers from Beginnings Birth Center are rare, they do happen, and it’s always best to be as prepared as possible for that “just in case” scenario. Home birth and birth center clients have had a tremendous benefit from this extra information.
I get it, life is so busy! If we’re meeting together as a group class, I will set you up with viewing that specific makeup class online. Note that for the Hospital and Home and Birth Center classes, one makeup class is included; there is a $25 charge for each subsequent makeup class. Also note that makeup classes have a limited time they are able to be viewed. If we’re meeting together as a hybrid option or private series option, scheduling can be flexible, and we’ll consider makeups on a case-by-case basis.
I’ll provide everything you need for class in addition to some extra goodies! I’ll bring your materials to you on our first day of class. In the case of hybrid classes, porch drops, the mail, or a quick meet-ups are all available, depending on where you live.
Once you’ve paid your invoice for class in full, you will also see an email from Birth Boot Camp with your login information, as well as instructions on how to access your class. If you do not receive these emails after 2-3 business days, please let me know, and I’ll contact Birth Boot Camp Headquarters for you. As a reminder for hybrid classes, be sure to come with questions and/or topics for discussion for our tag-ups!