Frequently Asked Questions

Is a doula the same thing as a nurse? As your doula, I do not perform any clinical tasks such as checking your cervix, monitoring fetal heart tones, or giving medical advice. My role is to provide non-medical, emotional, physical, and informational support. Any medical care will be handled by your doctor, midwife, or nurse. Even though I have experience as a labor and delivery nurse, my scope of practice is not the same when I am acting as your doula.

What is the difference between a doula and a midwife? Imagine running a marathon. A midwife is like an experienced coach, making sure you are physically safe and on track, monitoring your vital signs and guiding you through race strategy. A doula is your dedicated running buddy who stays right by your side the entire time, offering encouragement, helping with pacing, providing you with snacks, and making sure you feel emotionally and physically supported every step of the way. A midwife provides essential medical care while a doula provides continuous comfort and emotional support.

When should I hire a doula? While it’s never too early or too late to reach out, I do have a monthly cap on the number of clients I take. This allows me to provide each family with the personalized support that they deserve. My pricing remains the same no matter what stage of pregnancy you are in, so booking earlier gives us more time to connect and prepare for your birth!

Do doulas only support unmedicated births? Not at all! I support all kinds of births—unmedicated, epidural, C-section, hospital, home birth, and everything in between. As long as you feel like you’re making a truly informed choice, I will support you!

Will my partner be replaced by a doula? Absolutely not! A doula complements your partner by offering guidance and reassurance. We work as a team to support you together. My goal is to always get your partner involved as much as possible!

Are doulas only for first-time parents? Nope! I support people through all kinds of birth experiences—whether it’s your first baby or your tenth, you are planning for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), or a scheduled induction, hospital birth or home birth, and so much more.

What does Brittany, specifically, bring to the table? I bring almost a decade of experience as a certified labor and delivery nurse as well as a nuanced perspective into navigating the birth world. I’m really good at bridging the gap between the medical model of care and holistic birth. I know what to anticipate in high stress situations and know how to bring a grounding presence into the room.

Can I meet with you before deciding? Yes! I offer free nationwide virtual consultations so that we can meet, talk about your needs, and see if we’re a good fit! If the vibes are off for whatever reason, I will help you explore other options. I strongly believe every woman deserves doula care, even if that doula isn’t me!

Do you offer sleep training? While I do offer overnight postpartum care by request, I do not recommend or offer sleep training.

What about placenta encapsulation? I don’t encapsulate placentas myself but, I would be happy to provide you with local for placenta encapsulation!

Do you travel for births, and is there a fee? The short answer is YES! Travel fees apply for births located further than 60 miles from my home. Pricing is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on distance and travel time. I’m always happy to discuss this during our consultation.