Should You Hire A Doula & What To Look For

Are you currently pregnant in Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, or Birch Bay? We provide labor doula care all throughout Whatcom and Skagit Counties!

But the search can be overwhelming. Where do I even start? What is a doula? Do I need a doula? What does a doula cost? Will these doulas even call me back? And the list goes on….

Let's break this down. 
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A professional labor doula has trained with a reputable organization and has the expertise they need to care for families and their support team through pregnancy, labor and birth. They maintain current liability insurance, CPR certifications, and have a current business license.

​Do I need a doula?

A labor doula provides support to the entire birth team. Your partner has someone there if they need to go to the bathroom, to remind them to eat and drink. We fill in the gaps. Whenever you need support, We’re there!
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What many people fail to recognize is that your care provider is there for your medical care and that is their first priority. They also care about you and your team’s well-being, but when it comes down to it, they have charting to do and most likely, other patients. Your doula is your knowledgeable, unbiased, constant person.
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"Your doula is your knowledgeable, unbiased, constant person"

​Agenda driven, opinionated doula? Not here! There’s enough judgement already in the mommy-shaming culture we live in. We are not about to add more opinions or judgement to your plate.

Your labor doula has a vast knowledge regarding labor. She knows what all the beeps from the hospital machinery are. She has unique insight on helpful positions to get into regardless of your desires around pain medication.

She stays with you through nursing shift changes or transfers if you are having an out of hospital birth. Your doula knows what your mucus plug looks like and can spot the difference between early labor and active labor. She can offer insight on when it may be time to go to the hospital or your chosen birthplace.

So… If you find yourself pregnant, it’s time to hire your labor doula.

You won’t regret it. 

But this doula is expensive?!! Well, you get what you pay for. Some doulas are hobby doulas while others devote their career to this work. If you desire to have multiple children with the same doula present, your best chances at finding this doula is through hiring a doula who charges a respectable fee.
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High quality doulas: ​

• Prepare childcare support ahead of time for every day they are on call
• Have good relationships with their local care providers
• Understand the local hospital policy
• Are reliable and are going to respond to your questions promptly and professionally
• Understand their value and charge enough to compensate for their sacrifices
• Work in a partnership or agency model where you get to know both doulas well

This means you will:

• Know that your doula is not wishing they were somewhere else
• Not feel guilty for keeping your doula with you for an extended period of time
• Be supported regardless of how and when you deliver your baby

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North Cascade Doulas provides unparalleled labor doula support in Bellingham, Ferndale, Birch Bay, Lynden and Skagit County and guarantees that all of those boxes are checked. You can be sure that you are in good hands with your doula team from North Cascade Doulas.

Call or email us today to schedule a free consultation!