Here is the reality of doula work.
Things happen.
Meaning, your doula could have another client go into labor just before you do. Or the road just outside her house is completely shut down due to a major accident and she can’t leave her driveway. Or she wakes up one day with a contagious illness, completely preventing her from being able to attend a birth without putting your health at risk. Or you go into labor at 32 weeks, before the official on-call period. These are all part of the job. It just happens, no fault of anyone. However, it’s in how the situation is handled (or prevented) that shows the true professionalism & dedication of your doula.
Here’s what we have to say to that…
We have systems in place that make all of those situations a non-issue.
Doula Team
As a birth client of HRD, you receive a doula team. That’s right, not just a single doula; you get a team of 2 highly qualified, skilled, professional doulas to serve you and your family. You’ll first meet your team at the meet & greet scheduled in our initial phone call. Once you send in your contract, these two educated minds are yours for the picking! Both of your doulas stay in close communication with you throughout your pregnancy, attend the prenatal visit that is part of your package, and develop a strong understanding of what you and your partner’s goals are for this birth experience. They come to know you very well.
So, if the on-call doula from your team is stuck because of the closed road outside of her house, or is attending another labor, or is contagiously ill, you know your other doula will be available to attend your birth. No stranger. No explaining yourself and what you are looking for to someone new in the throws of labor. You’ll have the other half of your doula team jump right in, ready to serve you in whatever way you need.
On-Call Doulas
Because all HRD doulas work in pairs, we have the amazing ability to go on call for you 24/7 the very moment your contract is submitted, no matter how far along you are in your pregnancy. We believe and understand that babies can come at any time. We don’t want there to be any question in your mind as to whether or not you’ll have a doula available for your birth if you deliver prior to 37 weeks. One of your two doulas will be available to support you no matter what week, day, or time your little one decides to arrive. A premature delivery is not the time you want to deal with surprises regarding your doula care.
Reliable Doula Care
We believe that providing professional, reliable support to our clients is of the utmost importance. This team set up allows you to have the peace of mind that you will be supported by someone whom you’ve developed a relationship with, who knows exactly what your philosophy is, who is attuned to you and your partner, and who understands the ins and outs of your birth plan. No matter when you go into labor or whether or not your on-call doula is available, you can rest assured that you’ll have reliable support from the other half of your doula team.
If there is a time that the extremely rare and unheard of happens and both of your doulas are attending births (full moon much?), you can be sure that a doula from this very company, with the same training as the doulas from your doula team, held to the same professional standards, will be there to give you the quality support you’ve paid for. Your doula care will still come from the same great company you reached out to in the beginning; Hampton Roads Doulas.
Continuity of care is important to us and so Hampton Roads Doulas has implemented these systems to assure you that your birth experience is our top priority.
Authored by: Lacey Bauer, Owner