Erica L Kroll
Certified Whole Birth Educator 
doula/labor support 
Herbalist/Aromatherapist 
birthwise@gmail.com
www.womeninbloom.com 
573.445.5053

Frequently Asked Questions about Doula Care

My husband wants to be my labor coach. He is a afraid that hiring a doula will keep him from participating fully in our birth. Is this true?

A doula is as much a support to the father as the she is to the mother. A doula can help the father support the mother by offering ideas for comfort measures and by making sure they have both eaten. When important decisions need to be made, a doula can inform both the mother and father of the pros and cons of their options. A doula forms a bubble of security and peace around the laboring couple. Thus, having a doula present, enables the father to focus completely on supporting the mother. (Please read "Myths about Dads and Doulas" for more information)

Does a doula take the place of my nurse? What can a doula do that a nurse cannot?

A doula does not perform any clinical skills. Nurses are very busy, and usually cannot stay with you throughout your labor to offer the kind of support they would like to. Nurses will often have shift changes during the course of your labor as well. In contrast, you have the ability to develop a relationship with a doula weeks or months before you give birth so that a doula knows what you want for your birth. A doula stays with you, at your side throughout the duration of your labor and birth as well as post partum.

Do I need a doula if I have a midwife and/or a home birth?

Yes! Midwives are also very busy with the clinical aspects of labor, and although they provide wonderful emotional support, they often have other women to support and either cannot come until active labor or later, or they may have to leave intermittently throughout your labor. A doula can come whenever you feel that you need support, even if it is early labor. A doula can help you settle into your contractions, make sure you are well nourished and comfortable, and talk with you about any fears, concerns, or reassure you if you and your partner are just unsure of what you are feeling.

Do I need a doula if I plan on having an epidural?

A doula is still very beneficial if you get an epidural. Besides continuous emotional support, you may still have discomfort that a doula can help relieve since not all epidurals work completely. You may need to prepare for how to push the baby out if you cannot feel the sensation of your contractions, or if you do not get the urge to push. Preparing for such things with your doula you can help prevent more interventions such as episiotomy, vacuum or forceps extraction, or a cesarean.

Frequently Asked Questions about Yoga

I have never done yoga before. Do I need to have some experience before I participate in prenatal yoga classes?

The gentle yoga postures in the Whole Birth prenatal classes are appropriate for all fitness levels and require no experience. In fact, pregnancy is a wonderful time to explore the benefits of yoga.

Can I still do yoga with a back injury or other injury that limits my movement?

As long as you have a release from your care provider stating that you can participate, we can work with the poses in a way that will enable to you participate safely. Most importantly is that you will need to listen closely to your body in order not to push yourself too much.