What is a doula?

ANY new or soon to be parent. Whether through birth, adoption, or surrogacy, you deserve someone that’s 100% on your team, looking out for you & your wellness. Inclusivity is key to how I operate; I’ll come into your birth or parenting space totally judgement-free - no matter what your family looks like or believes. 

There is a broad spectrum of doulas however I do not provide medical services, treatments, or diagnosis for mother or baby, nor do I provide heavy housekeeping. I also do not drive clients or infants alone nor pet sit. A postpartum doula is many things, but a cleaner, nanny, pet sitter, or driver is not one of them! However, I can provide resources/referrals/ contacts to help families obtain such services if and when needed. 

Whereas a nanny cares only for your children, a postpartum doula cares for both parents & baby in the tender time following birth. This means that along with helping you become the best parents for your baby, your doula is also knowledgeable about a family's special needs in the postpartum period and is able to facilitate a smooth emotional and physical transition to motherhood and/or family expansion. As well, postpartum doulas are trained in lactation support and provide the help or encouragement you need to sustain your milk supply.

Birth Doula care begins once mother is in active labor and within 2 hours of doula being called to come to agreed upon laboring location and lasts until 2 hours after delivery. 

Postpartum doula care begins once you are ready to have the doula come to your home and that may be within days after the birth. The doula generally spends 1- 5 days a week with your family for a minimum of 2 hours per day. I have worked with families for anywhere from 1 week to 6 weeks. Beyond 6 weeks most clients require more of a

nanny service. 

  I have several: democratic, holistic, and mindset coaching styles. Democratically I outline objectives and provide evidence based information so you can make your own decision. Holistically I look at all elements of your life, helping to find ways to maintain balance on along your journey. Mindset coaching wise I help you uncover any limiting beliefs, blocks, behaviors or patterns of thinking you have that may be holding you back replacing it with something that will serve you to achieve the birth or journey you desire. Building awareness around these as the first step to changing them.  

A doula does not replace anyone and partners benefit from having a doula there too!  I am an addition to your support team and an extension of your village. I work in unison with and bridge a gap between you, your family, and your medical team with you at the center of it all. I complement and strengthen your partner's role by empowering him/her with tips, assurance, and suggestions to confidently support you while also holding space for them as well to be as involved as they would like to be within their and your comfort level.  I can help facilitate things and be an extra physical and emotional support which will allows your partner to be more present in the ways you need them and I can help share the responsibility of you and baby's needed support. 

Ideally, I only take 2-3 (max) clients per month. I am on call one week before and after your estimated date of delivery and I am easily accessible via email, phone, and text message.  

I am a highly trained professional certified with the International Doula Institute as a birth and postpartum doula, breastfeeding counselor, and childbirth educator. With Doula Trainings International I am trained as a full spectrum doula which includes reproductive health support. I am experienced, well-educated and well-prepared to serve all pregnant and birthing families through the lens of cultural humility and reproductive justice. 

Yes, for placenta services and there is an additional $.60/mile charge for travel beyond a 20 mile radius. For in person doula services, No, I will be happy to refer doulas in your area however if you are not interested in virtual services.

No, consultations are free of charge and are like interviews or Q&A sessions where you can get to know me and vices versa as we discuss your support needs and how I can help.

DO I NEED A DOULA IF I'VE ALREADY HAD A BABY?

YES! A doula can most definitely be helpful no matter how many times you’ve had a baby. You may have experience with labor and birth, but you’re not familiar with THIS labor and birth. Things change rapidly. A doula is equipped to support you through all kinds of labor and birth that you may not have expected or experienced in the past. Plus, a doula can help assist in making a laboring and birthing environment more peaceful and who doesn’t want a more peaceful birth? 

1. Consultation

2. Declaration of intent

3. Make investment

4. Intake

5. Render services
I advise you to reach out as early as you can – before giving birth. Every effort will always be made to be flexible and accommodate last minute bookings however no guarantees can be made for last minute booking. Payment plans are not allowed after 32 weeks gestation and ALL balances must be satisfactory prior to service being rendered.

Absolutely! The presence of a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. I still provide emotional and physical support to those getting an epidural by helping with coping and pain management prior to the epidural, walking you through the process and helping with alternative labor and birthing positions appropriate after receiving an epidural. For someone getting a cesarean section, I can be helpful by providing constant support and encouragement. Often, a cesarean results from an unexpected situation leaving a mother feeling unprepared, disappointed or lonely. I can be attentive at all times throughout the cesarean, letting you know what is going on throughout the procedure. This can free your partner to attend to the baby and accompany the newborn to the nursery if there are complications. Accompanying you to the OR is contingent upon the policy of the hopsital you choose to give birth at.

There are several ways TMS strives to make sure services are accessible and affordable for those interested. TMS accepts medicaid reimbursement, offer payment plans, attend births thru local community doula programs, and there are options to crowd fund the investment needed. You can put services on your registry and/or start a doula fund and ask for specialized support versus unnecessary gifts or things you may have no need for. I also offer gift cards so if someone wants to gift services or funds toward them they can. 

Absolutely! Diversity and inclusion are interconnected concepts. Diversity refers to the makeup of an entity and TMS is a black woman led and operated business. Incusivity is the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunies and resources for people who might otherwise be exclused or marginalized, such as those beloning to other minority groups, or those with different abilities. As a black women, it is always TMS objective to be inclusi. We strive to be a safe place and advocate for BIPOC despite the odds against us and be a driving force in improving equitable maternal experiences.

TMS Inclusivity Statement: Pregnancy is a time when all eyes are on you and your bump, and while some of us soak up the sunshine, others can be left feeling a bit vulnerable in the spotlight. I want you to know that I see you, but in all the right ways. This is a safe space, YOUR safe space. Now, just to be sure you know who you are, LGBTQ+ community, Trans and Enby folk, BIPOC, fabulous people of size, spectacular solo adventurers, gestational carriers, youthful parents-to-be, wise parents-to-be, and anyone expecting or welcoming a new life who aspires to feel at home, be heard, belong, and cared for.  

It depends upon your carrier and is circumstantial.

Clients with private insurance with an HSA/FSA attached to their insurance plan, Doula support is a qualified reimbursable expense. 

If the client has Medicaid, it varies based on which MCO, managed care organization chosen...

United Health Care- Yes, covers up to $1200 for doula services

Wellcare- Only with approved authorization for high risk pregnancies and/or teens in foster care by referral from case manager plus educational classes

Healthy Blue- Does not cover doula services in the triad only in Asheville/Greenville, NC however they do reimburse for parenting and breastfeeding classes in the triad

As of January 2023 many insurances are updating their plans to list doula service as a covered expense but some may still not cover the full cost or the cost at all. 

I recommend reaching out to your insurance provider customer service to inquiry about your benefits and/or talking with me so I can help direct you to the appropriate sources to discuss your individual benefits and coverage for doula services. 

Community is a core value for a reason. I wholeheartedly believe it truly takes a village to raise a thriving child. TMS has a private Facebook group call MOMS tribe where all potenial, prospective, current, past clients and mothers are welcomed. The objective is not to just talk about being a village but to acually operate as one. The group is a rich community; a wealth of knowledge, support, and resources. The group has several local doulas who moderate as our group experts. This is the way I link arms with mothers and ther families beyond delivery and continue to be a resource and advocate as they walk through life and parenthood, empowered knowing they are not alone. 

Every effort is made to gain and keep your trust as trust is a major part of fostering a cohesive birth team. However, life happens and when I as your doula agree to work with you my obligation is to do so reliably, without fail, for the term of the contractual agreement so I make sure I have backup doula options for your convience in the instance of an emergency. Rest assured you will be supported!