Mama Maia Doula Care
by Maia Hoffman

A doula is a non-clinical support person who provides emotional, physical, and informational peer support to a mother and her partner before, during, and after childbirth. 

Doulas are not midwives, as a doula's role is completely non-clinical. I like to think of a doula as your bestie who's there to cheer you on and encourage you through the hard moments. A midwife is a medical provider who actually delivers a baby like a doctor in a hospital would. Although a midwife can provide emotional support like a doula, a midwife often does not have the ability to dive as deep into the peer support role as a doula due to the nature of their medical responsibilities and scheduling constraints. Due to this, many mothers opt to have both a doula and a midwife (if going that route) so that they have a dedicated person for both emotional support, and medical needs.

Absolutely! Doulas are helpful regardless of where or how you intend to labor and give birth. I am happy to support clients through hospital births, epidurals, cesarean deliveries, inductions, and more. I also take joy in supporting clients through homebirths, birth center births, and unmedicated births. You have the right to birth how you want to, and I support you no matter what you choose!

It is never too early (or too late) to begin interviewing and booking your doula, but the golden time for securing your doula is in the second trimester. This gives us enough time to get to know each other and build a relationship before you give birth.