Hayley Kew Doula - Providing support, comfort, and advice to expectant mothers before, during and after the birth of their baby.
1. What is your philosophy and what will be your role during my pregnancy and birth?
My philosophy as a Birth Doula is a basic one – to support each mother/couple in achieving the birth they choose. I will support you in your choice to use pain management or medical intervention. I do not see it as my role to decide what is right or wrong for each mother/couple. My function as a Doula is to provide information regarding options (both natural and medical) and to provide comfort techniques and emotional support to each mother/couple.
I will meet with the mother/couple in the prenatal stage to explore birth options. This gives us an opportunity to prepare a birth ‘wish list’ and practise techniques which are helpful during the labour process. Each mother/couple will decide how hands-on my work as a Doula will be.
In the past I have had experience with partners who have not been comfortable with a hands-on role. In these situations I have provided most of the physical support, and at times my clients wished me to provide mainly verbal and emotional support. I am comfortable in either situation and through our prenatal interaction you will decide what my role will be, all the while knowing that if on the day of the birth your feelings change I will be there to support you in any way you desire.
My goal as a Doula is to be available for my clients and to help facilitate communication between mother/couple and the health care providers. I do not speak for my clients but make every effort to ensure they have sufficient time to have their questions and concerns addressed so they feel comfortable with the manner in which their birth is unfolding.
2. How often do mothers/couples see their Doula?
This is a decision reached by each mother/couple based on the service package they choose.
(See list of packages under “Services” section of website)
3. Are Doulas usually more into natural childbirth or home births?
I am not in a position to speak for Doulas in general, however, the majority of the mothers/couples I have worked with in the past have chosen a hospital birth. I have attended births that have occurred in a variety of manners – including totally free of pain medication or medical intervention, labour and births involving the use of pain management, as well as labour and births involving the use of pain management and medical intervention, such as induction, vacuum and/or forceps. As well, I have attended Caesarean births, homebirths and most recently my first twin birth.
4. What are your credentials? What courses did you take?
(See “About” section of website)
5. When are you available for questions before and/or after the birth?
I am available 24 hours a day by telephone from 38 weeks to one month after your baby is born. I am also available for prenatal and postnatal visits as we may schedule them.
6. Do you work with backup Doulas in the event that you are unavailable? May we meet them?
I am presently working with a lovely backup Doula, and you may certainly have the opportunity to meet with her if desired. She was our doula at the birth of our son and I would feel completely comfortable having her assist my clients in the rare event that I am unable to attend their birth.
7. What is the fee for having a Doula during a pregnancy?
(See “Services” section of website)
8. What are your refund policies?
If you change your mind before your 30th week, I will retain the deposit and no further fees will be owing. However, if you change your mind and choose to not have me support you at your birth after your 30th week, none of the fee will be refunded as I will be reserving my time, to the best of my ability, exclusively for you.
In the past this practice has been mutually satisfactory. As I recognize that each pregnancy is unique and from time to time there are specific situations which may arise, I am prepared to take special circumstances into consideration regarding fees.
9. When do you join a woman in labour, at our home or at the place of birth?
This is normally a decision made by the mother/couple. I am happy to labour with you at your home once your labour is established if that is your preference, or am I comfortable meeting you at the place of birth.
10. What is your experience in breastfeeding support?
I have supported the majority of my clients with breastfeeding at birth and in the days and weeks following. Through my training as a Birth Doula, Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator, as well as the experience I have gained through breastfeeding my son for over a year I have become very knowledgeable with breastfeeding instruction. I nursed my son for 2 years and we have worked through little bumps in the road and this experience has expanded upon the support I am able to provide to my clients.
If a situation or question arises which I cannot answer directly, I am able to access local resources to have the issue/concern addressed for my clients.
11. What is a Birth Plan?
A birth plan is a list of topics we outline with regard to your birth and the way you would like to see things unfold. We address various topics, such as labour, monitoring of the baby, delivery, pain medication, and any other concerns or questions you may have.
12. Tell me about your experience as a Birth and/or Postpartum Doula
As a Birth Doula I have attended over 90 births to date, and I have done postpartum work with the vast majority of these mothers/couples. I moved to
As a Postpartum Doula I have assisted my clients with breastfeeding support, child care at home (of older children as well as baby), and various tasks around the home as requested.
While in
(See “About” section and other related FAQs)
13. What is a Birth Story?
I make notes as time permits during your labour and birth and present it in the form of a short narrative to help you remember the details of the day your baby was born.
14. Why did you become a Doula?
Pregnancy and the birthing process has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. When I decided to become a Massage Therapist, the natural choice for me was to specialize in Pregnancy and Infant Massage. The more I worked with pregnant mothers/couples, the more I realized that becoming a Doula would fulfill my expectations for a perfect career.
15. Are there additional costs involved if I have a telephone inquiry or would like to meet with you an additional time?
There is no additional cost for telephone inquiries. I am available 24 hours a day by telephone from 38 weeks to one month following your baby’s birth. I am also available for prenatal and postnatal visits (additional to the package chosen) at an extra charge determined by the number of visits desired.
16. How do you feel about epidurals and how would you support me if I chose to have one?
My primary role as a Doula is to provide support – physical, emotional and educational – to the mother/couple. I feel that the decision to have an epidural rests with the mother/couple experiencing the pregnancy, as she/they are in the best position to make that decision. I have attended numerous births where my clients have chosen either to have an epidural or have declined the option.
I have attended births that have occurred in various manners, as outlined in Question 3, and regardless of the modality chosen my level of support will remain constant.
17. How much of a deposit is required to retain your services?
A deposit of 1/3 of the package fee is due upon signing of the agreement.
18. How many clients do you book each month?
I will contract with two to three clients per month. Thus far I have been fortunate not to have missed a birth due to conflicting labouring moms.
19. Do you have references I could contact?
Absolutely. I have past clients who are happy to be references for me and my services. Please phone or email me for their contact information.