Of course! There has been a lot of research over the past couple of decades highlighting how a trained support person such as a doula can reduce the need for risky interventions. For example, a review of 22 clinical trial studies published on Cochrane review showed that medicated birth with Pitocin and Cesarean birth rates decreased by around 30% with a support person, and in those studies where they could compare the doula vs other support people, the rates decreased even more with doula support (Hodnett et al., 2012). In Canada specifically, another review was done a few years later which included 10 studies and was published in the College of Family Physicians of Canada, which also concluded that doula support was extremely valuable as it reduced C-section and vaginal instrumental delivery rates (Fortier, J.H.; Godwin, M, 2015). Feel free to check out this article in Midwifery Today about the role of a doula and the research behind its benefits: Midwifery Today - What Doulas Really Do 

Yes, in most circumstances. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the birth partner in hospital settings was restricted to 1, so people had to make hard choices between their life partner or co-parent, their mum, best friend, a trained support doula... As restrictions eased, more than 1 birth partner is again common in birth centres and hospitals, but always ask your midwife or OBGYN beforehand. Your doula not only offers support to you while in labour, but also to your partner who may be feeling anxious, stress, overwhelmed, lost, powerless or scared. The doula is there for both of you. 

No. A doula is a support person and NO substitute for a midwife. A midwife is a nurse with special training to assist births, including quickly assessing risky situations and using medical equipment to check cervix dilation, provide intravenous supplies and sutures, control hemorrhages and resuscitate a newborn if necessary. In Ontario, a midwife can assist you not only at the hospital, but also in a birth centre and at home - just make sure you state your birth preferences when you apply for one, and make sure they are okay with you also having a doula besides your partner. A doula can still give you the emotional, mental and physical support we were trained for, while letting your midwife carry out important medical tasks. You can also have a doula if you have a family doctor or OB for your birth.

If having a cultural ritual performed during your birth is important to you, I will do my best to find a person from your culture that can perform it in the original way, as I am not knowledgeable in most rituals out there and I do not wish to misuse any sacred practice. If all you need me to do is bring something specific in the birth kit for you to use, or to hold it for you while you chant or pray, I shall of course oblige. Your birth experience is unique and anything that would make you comfortable is important and should be included. 

Our Birth Doula contracts for Full Bloom and Second Bloom packages include a Caesarean Clause, which states that in the event that a Caesarean birth is scheduled before all prenatal sessions are completed, unused sessions can be refunded at CAD$250. Generally, if it is scheduled before the 2nd prenatal session, that session would still take place but the content would be the same as for our Belly Bloom package, in preparation for your belly birth. The 3rd session would be unnecessary and therefore refunded. You would still have in-person support on the day of your belly birth (see description of Belly Bloom Package) and an 8-hour postpartum shift at home at a later date.

During the first consultation, the doulas in your team try to perform a basic wellness assessment to get a good idea of your current health status during pregnancy, any medical conditions, pregnancy complaints or symptoms, history of injuries and type of nutraceuticals of pharmaceuticals you are taking. This information allows for basic nutritional support regarding your supplements, snacks or general tips that are helpful in pregnancy. For a deeper assessment that would include a full evaluation of your dietary habits and creating modifications to your meal plan in order to achieve your goals, please speak to Désirée about adding a nutritional consultation to your package and making a hybrid contract with R.H.N services. Note that even though many insurance providers do not cover doula services, they may cover Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Holistic Nutrition Practitioner, Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant, or Holistic Nutrition Counselling/Coaching. The following companies may cover holistic nutrition services: Manulife, Canada Life, Green Shield, Blue Cross, League, Industrial Alliance (iA). Some Sunlife employers have a Personal Spending Account covering nutritional counseling. Nevertheless, always ask first. 

Since January 2024, Sun Life Life has approved that Doula School certified doulas (formerly Doula Training Canada) are on the list of approved providers whose clients can use their benefits for coverage IF they have that coverage in their plan! Doula School is the certifying organisation for 3 our of our 4 doulas. For some Sun Life clients, doula coverage would be included as part of their enhanced Personal Spending Account (PSA), under "Health products and services > maternity services and accessories (such as Doulas, Midwives and classes)". Other clients may be allowed to use their Health Spending Account (HSA) on doula services of any kind, and depending on your package, the available HSA could be CAD$250-500 to offset your doula costs.

We recommend 2 approaches. First, consider adding a Birth Doula Fund to your baby registry, and then gathering hand-me-downs for most baby items instead. When you send your registry to friends and family ahead of your baby shower, make sure to make a special note that you would prefer a cash gift so that you can enjoy with wonderful service that would make a big impact on your pregnancy, birth experience and start of your parenthood journey. Second, feel free to approach us to discuss how to split the package fee in smaller installments. If you sign your doulas early in your pregnancy, we can modify the contract to suit smaller monthly payments, rather than 2 larger ones.

Yes. The options given in the former 2 questions still don't necessarily suit all types of families, and we believe that birth support should be as accessible as possible while still respecting the value and amount of work our doulas put in. For those in the community who are in a tight financial situation, please note that our prices have a sliding scale using the Green Bottle Method. 

The Green Bottle Method is a tool for economic solidarity created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk along with an explanatory graphic of 3 financial tiers (see image below). Since not everyone is in the same financial situation, services can reflect this by offering pricing tiers, thus bringing a little more economic justice on the table. Let us know where you fall to adjust pricing.

We are more than happy to discuss individual realities via e-mail or through the FREE discovery call that we offer for all services.