Q: What is a doula and what can a doula do?

A: The doula is a professional trained in childbirth who provides emotional, physical, and educational support to a mother who is expecting, is experiencing labor, or has recently given birth. Their purpose is to help women have a safe, memorable, and empowering birthing experience.

A doula CAN support you and provide other holistic services for you.

A doula CANNOT provide any medical attention to you or your baby.

Q: How is a doula different from my partner, practitioner, or family member?

A: A doula's job is to provide non-stop support for mother. They are there for mother, baby, the partner and no one else. A doula is the mother's personal birthing team, who only works for her and no other clients or obligations.

Q: What type of families and births do you work with?

A: Susan The Birth Doula is trained in labor support for birthing mothers who choose to have a home birth, hospital birth, water birth, and unassisted births - medicated and non medicated deliveries.

Our services are tailored to African-American/Black mothers and other Women of Color. However, our services are available to all women, and all types of pregnancies.

We also provide discounted services to low-income families and teen mothers through our Every Woman Deserves a Doula Program.

Q: What are the benefits of having a birth doula?

A: Studies have shown that having the constant support of a birth doula during your birth decreases the cesarean rate by 50%, the length of birth by 25%, the use of oxytocin by 40%, and the use of an epidural by 60%.

Birth doulas are a beneficial part of your birthing team because they are advocating for you to advocate for the birth of your choice.

Q: What about the father's role when using a doula?

A: A father's role in their birth is still the same. The doula will provide father's with the tools to be able to provide support to the birthing mother. This includes comfort techniques to help mom have a safe and healthy delivery.

Q: Do you offer payment plans?

A: Yes. Once you have signed the Doula Agreement, a non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of the total amount for services is due to secure your due date and to begin services. The remaining balance can be broken up over the course of your pregnancy, but the full balance must be paid no later than 36 weeks gestation. 

Other payment arrangements may be considered based on your circumstances and our availability.

Q: What areas do you currently serve?

A: I offer services for birthing families in the Augusta,GA area.