Everyone deserves a doula
Answering Frequently Asked Questions
If you have further questions, please feel free to get in contact with me.
What does a doula do?
A doula’s job is to educate you so you feel like you are making informed choices, support you emotionally and physically throughout the entirety of your pregnancy, labor and delivery, answer your texts and calls, offer educated advice to ease labor pains, such as positioning, natural alternatives, touch, etc.
Are doulas the same thing as midwives?
No, doulas do not perform any common medical procedures that a midwife would such as taking your blood pressure, catching a baby, checking cervix dilation, baby’s heart rate, etc.
Why do I need a doula when I have a partner, parent, and/or friend?
A doula is a highly trained professional, not just in how to help the gestating parent, but we are also trained to learn the medical aspect of birth. Because of this training, having a doula can help lower cesarean rate by 50%, the length of labor by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and requests for an epidural by 60%. This results in a safer birth your you and your baby.
Will a doula replace my partner?
No, a doula does not replace your partner. A doula will help to include your partner, by showing them techniques which they can use to help make your birth the best possible.
Aren’t doulas only for home births?
No, a doula can support pregnant families choosing a home, birthing center, or hospital birth.
Are doulas only for unmediated births?
No, doula can support you if you choose a medicated, unmediated, VBAC, and even a
cesarean birth.
Are doulas only for first-time mothers?
No, a doula can benefit your labor and delivery, whether this is your first or last birth.
How long should I wear the belly bind?
Traditionally, the Malaysian belly bind is done for the entire postpartum “confinement” period, which is 30-40 days in the cultures that observe this practice. This is unpractical for modern day living, and the results diminish after a week or two. We've found the best belly binding length to be 12-24 hours for 5 - 10 days.
What makes belly binding different from western postpartum girdles like Belly Bandit?
Its length and the custom fit. A Malaysian Belly Bind is a long wrap that covers from under the chest all the way down to below the hips. This way, it doesn’t just work on the waist, but also helps the ribcage and the hips go back to their former dimensions. It also stays put when you move, and so it doesn’t press on the abdomen. Girdles that only bind the abdomen also push down on the pelvic floor muscles and organs, potentially causing or worsening pelvic, uterine, or bladder prolapse. The custom fit cannot be found anywhere else, and this improves the results you will see.
How effective is belly binding compared to a postpartum girdle, like the ones you can buy at Wal-mart?
Imagine the difference between buying pants that claim to fit everyone, regardless of size or shape and getting custom-fitted by a professional. What would be more comfortable? The custom fit is, of course, going to give you the best results. Likewise the traditional belly bind is a custom fit every time. It’s made of soft materials instead of having boning or Velcro like most girdles, which can dig into your skin and be painful when you sit or lay down, especially if you’ve had a cesarean. The Malaysian belly bind is the best option for your time and money if you want the results mentioned above.
Can I still belly bind if I have a c-section?
You can still receive belly binding if you have a c-section. We will wait until 4 - 6 weeks postpartum, based on your healing and recovery. The belly bind still has many benefits within the first two months.
Can I still belly bind if I have a miscarriage or still-birth?
You can still receive belly binding if either of these situations occurs, and in fact, the belly bind will speed your emotional as well as physical healing.
My belly bind brunches, rolls, or moves during the day. How can I keep it from doing that?
The belly bind moves because you move! Realize, the cultures that do this also practice confinement, which is a period after birth where the woman remains in bed the majority of the time. If you are up and moving postpartum, the belly bind is going to shift, bunch, and roll. The only way to prevent this is to move less. Part of what belly binding does is encourage you to be down and resting.