Common Questions
What is a birth doula?
Answer: A person that supports the birthing person and their support system physically and emotionally. They provide unbiased education about pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period
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* Of note: I am a birth doula who is certified for hospital-based births. Some doulas are certified to be at-home births. There are even other types of doulas including but not all-inclusive:
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Bereavement
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Postpartum
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What are the benefits of having a birth doula?
Answer: A doula provides continuous labor support. Cochrane Review in 2017 showed that doulas provide:
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25% decrease in Cesareans
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8% increase in spontaneous vaginal birth
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10% decrease in the use of medications for pain relief
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38% decrease in baby's risk of a low 5-minute Apgar score
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AND MORE
Bohren, M.A., Hofmeyr, G., Sakala, C., et al. (2017). “Continuous support for women during childbirth.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 7.
Art. No.: CD003766.
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
Answer: Pelvic floor physical therapy is a specific physical therapy service that treats symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction including urinary, bowel, sexual function, and orthopedic pain.
What should I expect on my first visit with pelvic physical therapy?
Answer: On your first visit, if it is an in-person visit at your home, then you can expect me to bring all the equipment needed. We will spend the first portion discussing your concerns, what you're experiencing, how long it has been going on, and what your goals for physical therapy are. Then I assess any orthopedic concerns. If you're comfortable with it, and it is relevant to what you're experiencing, I will assess the pelvic floor. We end with discussing findings, making a treatment plan, and providing you with interventions to do at home between sessions.