Why did I choose to be a Doula?

In my 40’s I started asking “What should I do now?” My kids are grown, my husband travels for work most of the week and I found myself asking “What would I enjoy doing for the next chapter in my life? “ I was a high-risk Queen on bedrest with all 4 pregnancies and I felt called to be of service to other women going through what I went through. I had postpartum depression with 2 of my pregnancies and I know the mental & emotional toll it can take on someone when you are exhausted and overwhelmed. I have had many family and friends who asked me to be in their birth space and help them through labor because of my calming presence and nurturing nature. To be able to help her during labor and during the first few weeks of being a new Mom was a natural passion of mine. That became my mission and I started looking into what it would take to accomplish it. I went back to school and graduated as a Certified Antenatal and Postpartum Doula. I am currently working on becoming a childbirth educator and will graduate in the next month. I also got a degree in doula business management from IAP College and am certified in adult and infant CPR and first aid. Giving birth and bringing new life into this world is a sacred journey and I hope that you will allow me to nurture you through this new adventure.

5 ways to be able to afford a doula that you might not have thought of.

Great! You have decided to hire a doula, but now how do you afford to pay for her? With the costs of everyday life going up, it can be stressful to think of adding in one more expense. I decided to do some investigating into ways to help families be able to afford this service. I was surprised and thrilled by what I found and thought I would share with all the Queens out there.

1. Talk to your doula about your situation and ask if she is willing to make payment arrangements. Will she break it up into several payments so that you do not have to worry about coming up with the full amount? I am more than happy to work with families by breaking up the expenses into smaller more manageable pieces.

2. There is financing available through www.ally.com which will allow you to get the care you need now and pay over time.

3. Quite a few insurance companies are covering doula care now and if you have HSA, FSA or HRA they will sometimes cover the cost or part of the cost, especially for high-risk queens on bed rest. Check with your insurance company first and then you can check also check your Health savings plan. There are certain steps that you will need to take but they are pretty simple so don’t let that discourage you.

Step 1- Pay doula in full

Step 2- Receive invoice

Step 3- Submit invoice to insurance or HSA provider.

The invoice should include the doula's name and address, tax id number, date and location of services provided, CPT code for services, diagnosis code and doula signature. If you have been ordered on bedrest during pregnancy then you can include a letter of necessity from your doctor and it will almost always be covered. I have all the codes so I can easily help you with this step if you need.

4. Register for doula care on your baby registry and let your friends and family know so they can help if they choose. I have gift certificates available in varying amounts so feel free to send your friends and family to the website to give a specific amount and then you can choose the package that would work best for you.

5. Breastfeeding your baby is another way to reduce household costs so you can afford the extra pair of hands to help you around the house. The cost of baby formula is around $100 per month so over the course of a year you can save $1200. It helps to bond with your baby in a deeper more meaningful way and it saves you a bunch of money as well.

Why should everyone have a postpartum doula?

The first 12 weeks after you have given birth are very special and should be given great importance. This is when you get to know and fall in love with your baby and bond at a deep level as a family. You will be experiencing exhaustion, hormonal changes, and of course, the laundry and cooking are always there. If you have additional children to care for as well then that adds even more on your shoulders. That is a lot for anyone to navigate on their own. Up to 4 in 5 (80%) will experience the baby blues. It can affect new parents of any race, age, income, culture or education level. Most parents who do not hire a doula become overwhelmed and exhausted pretty quickly. That does not have to be your story. Having dedicated, nurturing support to take care of you, the laundry, dishes, or cook your favorite meal is a lifesaver and can take so much stress off of your plate. If you need extra help caring for twins or if you have a c-section then I would highly recommend hiring a doula. Most insurance companies are now covering doula care because they recognize the importance of being supported and they know it will save money long term.