Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any questions about the services provided by Aila Birth Village? I’ve got answers!
I am looking for doula support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Is Aila Birth Village still accepting clients? Yes, yes, yes! Families need unconditional, empowering, and loving support more than ever now during these uncertain times. Aila Birth Village is still happily serving families in Massachusetts. In addition, Aila Birth Village continues to prioritize the safety of your family. We are now offering virtual services when possible and exercising serious caution during in-person visits. We have closely reviewed the online course, COVID-19: A Guide for Direct Care Workers, to ensure that we are operating as safely as possible. We follow CDC and WHO guidelines at all times to play our part in preventing the spread. Finally, we are monitoring hospital and birthing center policies to determine if and when we can join you in the birth space in the event that your hospital and birthing center are temporarily restricting doula access. We are alternatively offering an on-call hybrid model of in-person support at home if your hospital restricts doula support. You have options. Throughout this time, you can expect to still count on us! We love supporting you and your beautiful family.
Please email hello@ailabirthvillage.com with any questions. Stay safe!
Can I have both a doula and a midwife at my birth? Yes! Doulas and midwives are an excellent addition to any birth team. It is important to note that doulas and midwives have different roles on your birth team. For example, doulas are non-clinical support persons trained to provide emotional and physical care during labor, such as providing reassurance and performing massages. Midwives are trained medical professionals who can do everything from taking your blood pressure to checking how dilated your cervix is during labor. Unlike doulas, midwives provide comprehensive clinical support. However, doulas and midwives make a fantastic team and often work well together!
What if I have a scheduled cesarean? Can I still have a doula on my birth team? So here is the great thing - doulas are trained to serve any type of birth! Even if you have a cesarean, I can still support you as a doula. In addition to a special hour long cesarean childbirth education class customized to you, we will discuss any questions you have before the cesarean, work to alleviate any fears or concerns, and I will stay with you after the procedure for about an hour to help you get settled. Once you are settled in, I will leave to give you privacy and a chance to decompress. I will check in with you after to ensure you are doing well.
How many prenatal consultations can I expect when I work with Aila Birth Village? As your birth doula, I offer up to 5 hours of prenatal consultations to all birth clients. I understand that building a foundation of trust is vital to our relationship to ensure I support you fully and comprehensively. Thus, we will meet a minimum of two times during the course of our relationship to talk about your needs, concerns, and questions. Knowing you well means I can serve you intuitively during this precious time. I welcome regular communication as well, so you can call, text, or email me at anytime, 24/7. In addition, we will have a birth planning session where we go into your birth plan in great detail. To learn more, review what I offer in my childbirth support services package.
How do I know if my birthplace will allow doula support? I have supported births at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, South Shore Hospital, Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, North Shore Birth Center, Beverly Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge Birth Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, and more. While I have been able to attend births at several area hospitals in Massachusetts without difficulty, I do ask that you check with your provider beforehand to ensure that doulas are welcome on your birth team at your birth place. Also, please note that some hospitals and birthing centers limit the number of people who can be in the room at any given time.
Do I need a doula? I have a great doctor/midwife and my partner is very supportive. It is awesome that you love your birth team. It is so important that you have people around that you trust! Doulas can be a great resource during your pregnancy, labor, and childbirth. There is so much information out there, some conflicting and some confusing, about what is happening during this exciting time. As a doula, I break down the information in a way that is easy to digest. Also, doulas are really special because we can provide extensive, hands-on support to you during labor. This means that when your doctor or midwife or nurse has to step away for a little bit, we remain with you. Not only can we work on breathing techniques during this time, I will provide other comfort measures during labor, such as guided visualization, verbal reassurance, and so much more. And when you need someone to get you a hot pack or your favorite juice or give you a massage, I’ve got your back then, too.
In fact, research indicates that continuous support during labor:
Reduces the likelihood of longer labors
Reduces the necessity of emergency interventions (such as vacuum, forcep, and c-section deliveries)
Reduces the need for medical pain relief management
Isn’t that amazing?
I don’t know if I want a stranger in the room. Is a doula really for me? Listen, I get it! This is why my birth doula package includes unlimited prenatal consultations. I want to get to know you and your family well. I recognize that we need to have a very stable foundation to ensure my support meets your needs intuitively.
How will I know if we are a good fit? You understand that an educated birth is a must. You recognize that you deserve to be taken care of by the members of your birth team at this time. You are seeking the tools and resources to channel your innate strength and handle this stage like a boss. If this is you, I would love to meet you and discuss your needs.
When will you join me if I am in labor? I believe in not disturbing the natural early labor process as having an audience (and the added pressure) can stall your progress. When you are in a truly relaxed state in a comfortable space, like your home with your partner, anxiety and fears can lessen. You also feel more comfortable digging into your strength and confidence to manage this stage beautifully. I will be in contact with you via text and phone and may drop by briefly to walk you through comfort measures prior to that point if necessary. When you are in labor and ready for me to come, I ask that you let me know as soon as possible. I find open and transparent communication during early labor reduces the risk of not having doula support when you desire it in that precious window of time. When in doubt about if I should come, please reach out to me directly. I want you to have my support as soon as you need it.
My hospital or birthing center offers a childbirth education class. Shouldn’t that cover everything I should know? Hospitals and birthing centers can provide you with quite a bit of insight into hospital policies in addition to providing tours of the facilities. This is helpful as you begin to visualize the setting of your birth. You may also seek information that supplements your education, but is catered to the specifics of your birth. Aila Birth Village provides private childbirth classes to clients in the privacy of their home to give you the space to learn what you want on your terms. My private childbirth classes gives you unparalleled access to me as a certified childbirth educator which means classes are customized to your needs. Using props, honest dialogues, and a sense of humor, we work together to ensure you are as informed as possible prior to your birth. We will discuss different comfort measures and techniques that can help you feel relaxed and centered, reducing the likelihood for interventions in low-risk pregnancies.
How can you serve as a doula while also photographing a birth? Great question! When we work together, I am focused on you and your comfort levels while also ensuring you receive continuous care. If there is a moment where you are resting or simply enjoying the company of your partner and/or other loved ones, I will take a few sweet photographs so you can later reflect on this momentous day. When you’ve entered the active and transition labor stages, I focus on providing hands-on support to you which means taking a break from photography. I do try to capture your baby’s entrance into the world, but if for some reason I cannot because I am providing physical and emotional support to you, I still capture other exciting moments, like those first skin-to-skin opportunities.
How many birth doula clients do you take on each month? To ensure I can provide truly customized one-on-one support, I limit myself to 2 or 3 clients a month. If you are interested in working with me, please reach out to me via my contact form or email me at hello@ailabirthvillage.com to secure your due date. I am currently booking into 2022.
If you photograph my birth, will you post the images on social media? While I love photographing births and capturing these wonderful moments, I recognize that you may find the photos too sacred to share with anyone outside of your loved ones. I understand that your experience in the birth space is deeply personal and as such, will not violate any boundaries you have set. If images are posted on social media, it will always be with your explicit prior consent.
What does an infant sleep consultation consist of and how will we work together? I am passionate about ensuring my clients get a good night’s sleep. As a trained sleep consultant, I will give you tools to help you and your baby build strong sleep habits. Everything I recommend will be based on your comfort level.
When is payment due? For birth services, including birth doula support and photography, 50% (retainer fee) is due when you book my services to secure your due date on my calendar if you are less than 35 weeks along. The balance (remainder fee) is due by your 35th week of pregnancy. If we begin working together between 35 and 40 weeks of your pregnancy, the payment is due in full at the time of booking.
Childbirth Education classes and Postpartum support requires payment in full at the time of booking. Infant Sleep Consultations and Breastfeeding Education, available in 2022 and will also require payment in full at the time of booking.
How is payment collected? Once you have read and signed our Aila Birth Village client agreement, I use a really awesome client support service that allows for the automation of the payment process. Not only can you pay the deposit and remainder, but you can see your invoices and receipts in one place.