Parenthood is a loving & crazy journey that you don't need to do alone.
Let Ginger Blossom Doula Services help be your guide.
The Process!
Let's chat! We offer a complimentary consultation to get to know one another, learn your birth wishes, talk about our roles as your doula, our services and how we may compliment your birth team.
Once you've hired us (yay!) we provide two prenatal sessions, one during the 2nd trimester and the other during the 3rd trimester. These meetings focus on educating you on the birth process, your rights & options, comfort measures, discussing your priorities and preferences, postpartum planning, body work, and making referrals to trusted community providers that will support you preparing mind, body and spirit.
It's baby time?! Let's do this! Your doula will provide educational and encouraging support remotely until you need in-person physical support. This is when we can join you at your home, birth center or hospital throughout the duration of your labor, birth and 1-2 hours after when postpartum.
Lastly, we love to follow-up with you a few weeks after you deliver to see how the postpartum period is going, recap on your birth experience, answer any questions you have, support with basic breastfeeding, and make referrals to community resources that may be helpful during your postpartum journey.
What is a doula?
Modern day Doula’s are trusted & trained professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional and educational support to a individual before, during and shortly after childbirth to help them achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible (DONA, 2019). There are several types of Doula’s; Birth, Postpartum and Antepartum (bedrest/high-risk pregnancy). Doula's are able to provide evidence-based education and judgment free support so you are able to prepare and birth with confidence in your body and decisions.
What is the difference between a doula and a midwife?
Though the two roles are commonly confused for one another, they are different. A doula is a non-medical professional. It is not within the scope of a birth doula to monitor a pregnancy, labor or birth. Doulas are responsible for providing continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the laboring woman and her partner. Midwives (a.k.a rockstars!) are trained medical care professionals with expertise and skills in supporting women to maintain healthy pregnancies and have optimal births and recoveries during the postpartum period.
Who needs postpartum care?
The short answer – everyone! However, the amount of support needed after having a child is unique to each woman and what they perceive as their highest area of needs. Some individuals are completely new the parenthood and want the support of a trained & trusted professional to help guide them those first few days, weeks & months. Others are seasoned parents, who identify that regardless of how many children you have, there is always a need for support when adjusting to new roles and a new “normal”. Many doulas offer free consultations to discuss their services, and how they can directly impact your postpartum.
Does a doula replace my support partner?
Absolutely not! Think of a doula as a birth coach. A doula doesn’t replace anyone, but she is another member of the birth team and supports everyone in their own role. A doula’s presence helps fathers or partners participate at a level they are comfortable with, demonstrates for them how and when to use various comfort measures, and can help provide information. Partners are often grateful to have a doula at the birth as they are someone with more experience allowing the partner to enjoy the birth experience more
What are good questions to ask a doula?
When looking to hire a doula, here are some things to consider:
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Training
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Certification status
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Experience
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Availability
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Services offered
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Conversational compatibility
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Fees
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General instincts about having the doula in your home or private space
What are the benefits?
Multiple studies examining doula care demonstrate remarkably improved physical and psychological outcomes for both mother and baby. Doulas have a positive impact on the well-being of the entire family.
Birth Doulas studies have shown that their support can result in reduced use of pain medications, fewer cesarean birth rates (by up to 35%!), a decrease in the length of labor, higher breastfeeding rates, higher satisfaction with the birth experience and reduced rates of a perinatal mood & anxiety disorder. Families who have used postpartum doula services often experience an easier transition into their new roles, report high breastfeeding rates, and are at less risk of a perinatal mood & anxiety disorder or receive treatment more quickly.
Can a doula help me if I am choosing to have an epidural?
Yes, a doula is beneficial no matter what your birth plan looks like. A doula’s presence is helpful prior to and during the epidural placement. After epidural placement a doula can help with keeping labor progressing by assisting in re-positioning to ideal positions which will help your baby move further in the birth canal. Furthermore, a doula will remain with you post-delivery to ensure recovery and if you choose to breastfeed can also help with that initial process.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Grand Rapids and the West Michigan area. Our team has attended births in Muskegon, Holland, Hastings, Greenville and Kalamazoo! Mileage fees may apply for births outside of a 20 mile radius of Ada, MI.
Is a doula covered by insurance?
This isn’t a simple yes or no answer. More insurance companies are starting to cover birth doula services; some full coverage, others partial coverage. It is the responsibility of the policy holder to contact their insurance agency to inquire whether a birth doula is covered under their plan (don’t forget a doula may be covered by your HSA or FSA, too!). If they do (yay!), the insurance company should be able to provide you with claim paperwork necessary to file a claim after your birth. I always encourage clients to file a claim regardless of the outcome; it demonstrates a need to the company and hopefully push them to make beneficial changes to policies to cover such services in the future.
*Select members of the team will be eligible to support clients who receive Medicaid from the state of Michigan*
Do you accept payment plans for your services?
A deposit is necessary at the beginning of your contract in order to secure availability and add you to our calendar. We will do our best to work around your budgeting needs prior to the birth of baby.
Free support & upcoming events
The Grand Rapids area offers a ton of useful resources for expectant, new and established parents. Check back frequently to see what’s happening in the area!
