Q- What is the difference between your class and the hospital course?
A- The hospital course discusses very well the course of labor, and the medical interventions that occur, as well
as the different pain relief options. I talk about that as well, going more indepth on the benefits, risks, and reasons
why those interventions may occur, and what the benefits and risks are of the different pain relief options . We discuss
the events that occur with each stage of labor, and the emotional aspect that the laboring mother may be going through and
how the partner can help her along the way. We spend much more time learning positions, and breathing techniques, and go through
a full "mock labor" using a specialized sound track to help you train your body to focus, and use the techniques
learned, before you have any pain. We cover the medical, physical, and emotional aspects of labor and birth.
Q- When should I take the childbirth class?
A- You may sign up for the
childbirth class at any time during your pregnancy. Often time parents schedule their classes right up to their
due date, and risk missing it due to going into labor early. I suggest taking the course around 27- 36 weeks of your
pregnancy.
Q- I'm interested in taking your childbirth class, what do I do now?
A- Email me with the date you would like me to come, and I will send you a registration form. Send it back
with your deposit to hold your date and you are all ready!
Q- I'm interested in
hiring a doula, what now?
A- Contact me by either phone or e-mail and
we will set up a time to meet. You will want to make sure you feel comfortable with your doula.
Q- How do I choose the right doula?
A-
You should meet and interview more than one doula. You need to pick the one who you most feel comfortable with
personally and who you feel will support your birth plan.
Q- How many clients do you take each month?
A- I only take
on up to two clients a month. By doing this I am able to better ensure I will be able to attend your birth.
There is never a guarantee that I will be able to attend your birth, but I do have a back up that will cover my
births in the event I can not attend. Circumstances that may occur to prevent me from attending include, but are not
limited to: another birth, illness, family emergency, car accident.
Q- Can I meet your back-up?
A- Of course. You
may always meet my back-up upon request.
Q- How
much do you charge?
A- My fees vary depending on distance from where
I live, and other factors. Currently I charge $400 for clients within the Temecula/Murrieta area, $450 for Riverside,
and $500 for O.C, and San Diego. Once a client signs a contract, their rates will not go up, even if I change my
rates.
Q- What does that money pay for?
A- Please see the page titled "Services Offered" for a breakdown
of what you will receive.
Q- Do you offer a discount
for refferals?
A- Yes I do! I offer $50 off your price for every
refferal contact you send me who signs a contract.
Q- Do you have children?
A- Yes, I have two wonderful boys,
ages 5, and 3.
Q- Were your births medicated?
A- One was, and one was not. However my own experiences have no bearing on what your birth experience
will be. Each birth is as different from each other as night and day, and whatever your wishes for your birth are
will be the goal of our time together.
Q- Are
you certified?
A- Yes, I am professionally certified through
DONA as a birth doula, and through CAPPA as a childbirth educator.
Q-What are your refund policies?
A-For the Childbirth
class, the deposit is non-refundable, however the remainder may be refunded if you choose not to take the class prior to the
first meeting.
For my doula services I will make every effort to provide the services as listed. However, if I
or my back-up miss your birth due to an error on my part, there will be no charge for my services beyond the retainer fee,
which covers the pre-natal visits and on-call availablity. If it is due to circumstances beyond anyone's control,
such as natural disaster, or extremely fast labor we will split the agreed upon fee. If it is due to your failure to
call me, I will keep the full fee for services.
Q-
May we call you with questions or concerns before birth?
A- For my
doula clients, during your pregnancy, I am available to you by phone or e-mail to answer any questions you may have.
Q- As a doula when do you try to join women in labor?
A- I come to you when you feel you need me. Usually this occurs when your caontractions are steady,
and showing signs of real labor. We would talk on the phone to determine if you truly are in labor. I would like
to be notified when you think you are in labor, or when your water breaks, even if you feel you don't need me yet.
That way I am able to provide arraingments for my family, as well as help you decide if you need to go to the hospital yet.
I will meet you either at your home or at the hospital/birthing center.
Q- What if I get an epidural?
A- That is entirely
up to you. I am not here to make medical decisions on your part, or to force you to have a birth you do not want.
Whatever you choose to have during your birth is your choice. I am there to support you in your choice, and to give
information on the different options, so you can make the informed choice that is right for you.
Q-Why did you decide to be a childbirth educator?
I love birth.
I love helping other women and their partners to feel empowered and have the ability to make informed decisions concerning
their birth. Childbirth is a natural process, a wonderful journey in which a woman and her partner become parents.
Through my own experiences, and working with couples who have gone through childbirth classes, I have felt a need and a desire
from the community for a more hands on class, with a lot more practice in the relaxation techniques that are learned.
Q- Why did you decide to be a doula?
A- After
two very different experiences with my own births, I came to realize no one should go through birth without someone there
who can help support them through the process. I want to help others through this most special time, and to help everyone
have the best, most positive birth experience they can.
