Your Doula Questions, Answered

Understanding Doula Support

What exactly does a birth doula do?

A birth doula provides continuous emotional, physical and informational support throughout pregnancy, labour and birth. I help you prepare, understand your options, find comfort measures that work for you, and feel supported as your birth unfolds. I don’t make decisions for you—I help you feel confident making your own.

Is a doula the same as a midwife?

No. Midwives are medical care providers responsible for the health and safety of you and your baby. As your doula, my role is non-medical. I focus entirely on supporting you and your family with preparation, comfort, information, advocacy and continuous presence throughout labour and birth.

Do I need a doula if I already have a supportive partner?

Absolutely—dads need doulas too! Your partner knows and loves you in a way I never could, and I’m not there to replace them. I help your partner know how to comfort you, suggest positions and techniques, explain what may be happening, and give reassurance when things feel overwhelming. We work together so they can focus on being your partner—not remembering everything they learned in prenatal class.

Do you support epidurals, inductions and Caesarean births?

Yes. Your birth. Your body. Your choices. I support unmedicated births, epidurals, inductions, planned or unexpected Caesareans, home births, hospital births and changes of plans. There is no “right” way to give birth. My role is to help you feel informed, respected and supported in the choices that are right for you.

Working Together

Do you attend both hospital and home births?

Yes. I attend births in hospitals and at home with a registered midwife. Wherever you choose to give birth, I bring the same calm, continuous support and respect for your choices.

When should I book my doula?

Anytime! Many families book during the second trimester, but there’s no perfect time. Booking earlier gives us more time together during pregnancy—and because I take a limited number of births each month, availability can fill. If you're already late in pregnancy, though, please still reach out. If I’m available, it’s absolutely not too late.

When do you join me during labour, and how long do you stay?

There isn't a specific dilation or stage of labour you need to reach before calling me. We stay in communication as labour begins, and you decide when you need me. Once I join you, I stay throughout active labour and birth and into the immediate postpartum period, helping you settle in with your new baby. I don't work in scheduled shifts or leave because you've reached a set number of hours.

Can I contact you throughout my pregnancy?

Yes—and I want you to. Support doesn't begin when labour starts. Throughout your pregnancy, you can reach me by text, phone or email with questions, worries, decisions, resources you want to talk through, or simply something you need reassurance about.

Ongoing communication is included in my birth doula support—there is no additional fee for unlimited pregnancy support.

Birth, Photography & Logistics

What if my birth plans change?

Birth doesn't always follow the plan—and that's okay. If circumstances or your preferences change, my support changes with you. We can talk through new information, questions you may want to ask your care team, and the options available to you. The goal isn't to follow a perfect birth plan; it's for you to feel informed, supported and involved in your birth.

What areas do you travel to?

I’m based in Canmore and support families throughout the Bow Valley and surrounding areas, including Canmore, Banff, Cochrane and Calgary. I’m also happy to travel farther for births when possible. Depending on the location, an additional travel fee may apply—we’ll always discuss that before you book.

How does birth photography work while you're also my doula?

Doula support always comes first. Photography happens quietly in the background when the moment allows—I’m not stepping away from you when you need hands-on support to get a photograph.

I document your labour, birth and those first moments with your baby as they naturally unfold. Most families barely notice I'm taking photos. Because every birth is different (and some babies arrive very quickly!), I don't guarantee a specific number of photographs, but my goal is to give you a beautiful collection that tells the story of your birth.

What happens if you're unavailable when I go into labour?

In more than 80 births, I’ve only had one birth overlap—but birth is unpredictable, so I always have a backup plan.

I’m on call for you from 38 weeks, and during that time I stay mindful of where I am and how quickly I can get to you. If I’ll be out of the immediate area or temporarily unreachable—whether I’m heading into the city or out on a hike—I’ll let you know ahead of time.

In the rare event that I’m supporting another family when you need me, I’ll arrange for a trusted backup doula to be with you until I can arrive. There is never an additional cost to you for backup support.

Once I’m available, I will join you and continue supporting you for the rest of your birth.