Common Questions - East Bay Doula | Bay Bee Birth Services, Jenny Bare

What Questions Do You Have?

About Doulas:

Jenny’s Skills & Training:

What type of pain management, comfort measures and coping techniques does Jenny provide?
What type of education and training does Jenny have?
How do Jenny’s services and fees break down?

How Doulas Support Partners / Dads:

How do the doula and father/partner work together?

Type of Birth You are Planning:

How to Select a Doula:

About Doulas:

What is a doula?
The word “doula” (pronounced doo-luh) comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother and her partner before, during and just after birth.

What do the studies say?
Simply put, numerous studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. With the support of a doula, women were less likely to have pain relief medications administered, less likely to have a cesarean-birth, and reported having a more positive childbirth experience. Seriously, what can be better that that?!?

Here are the numbers:

31% decrease in the use of Pitocin
28% decrease in the risk of a C-section
34% decrease in the risk of being dissatisfied with the birth experience
12% increase in the likelihood of a spontaneous vaginal birth
9% decrease in the use of any medications for pain relief
14% decrease in the risk of newborns being admitted to a special care nursery

Adapted from: Evidence Based Birth 2013

It is Jenny’s role as a doula to:

Provide continuous support, reassurance and comfort!
Recognize birth as a key experience you will remember all your life
Understand the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
Assist you in preparing for and carrying out your wishes and plans for birth
Stay with you throughout the labor, therefore helping to provide continuity to medical staff as shifts change
Provide emotional support (help keep things positive), physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as help the you and your partner get evidence-based information you need to make informed decisions
Facilitate communication between the you, your partner and your clinical care providers
Nurture you and help protect your memory of the birth experience
Allow your partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Adapted from: DONA

What can’t Jenny do?

Offer medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
Perform clinical tasks (blood pressure, vaginal exams, etc.)
Make decisions for you or on your behalf
Promise a pain free labor or birth
Predict specific health outcomes for mother or child

As a doula, Jenny gets to do some amazing stuff, but as a rule, she cannot do anything medical. That is the role of your midwife, nurse or doctor.

Jenny’s Skills & Training:

How does Jenny help birthing mothers to be more comfortable and cope with pain during labor?

Jenny offers help and advice on comfort measures and coping techniques. These methods are aimed at assisting you with advancing labor. Comfort measures and coping techniques are tailored for each client, depending on birth needs and preferences:

Positive Encouragement and Reassurance
Birthing Ball
Peanut Ball
Massage
Music
Aromatherapy
Breathing Techniques
Visualization Techniques
Pressure Point Focus
Body Relaxation
Focal Point
Affirmations
Movement
Position Changes
Rebozo
Water Relaxation
TENS Unit
…and more!

What type of education and training does Jenny have?

Jenny is a a CAPPA Certified Labor Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, and Certified Lactation Educator. She has obtained several professional health-related degrees and continuously enrolls in advanced skills training education courses to expand her knowledge and support for clients. Click here to see a full list of Jenny’s training, educational background, professional and community involvement.

How do Jenny’s services and fees break down?

Jenny takes great pride in providing you with a high quality professional service! As such, she wants to give you an idea of what goes into setting her doula fee:

Experience: Jenny’s professional experience includes, a Master of Public Health, Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Labor Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Lactation Educator. She’s a mom to two kids…and more!
Direct Support: She spends a lot of time with you, not just while you are in labor
- Initial Meeting/Interview: 1 hour
- Prenatal Emails/Paperwork/Texts/Phone Calls/Research: 10+ hours
- Prenatal Appointments: 4+ hours
- In Person Labor Support: Average is 17 hours
- Postpartum Visit: 2 hours

= 34 hours average direct support
(plus on-call time)

On-Call Period: Jenny is on-call 24/7 for you at 38+ weeks gestation until you have your baby. This means, she not travel more than 1-2 hours away and is ready to leave as soon as you call if needed.
Travel Expenses:
- Gas/Tolls/Parking
- Childcare for her own children
- Food/Meals

Behind the Scenes: Your fee helps Jenny to expand her knowledge and skills in order to serve you better
- Continuing Education
- Liability Insurance
- Website Maintenance
- Printed Materials
- Taxes, Licensing, etc.
- Doula/Labor supplies
- Back-up Doula Fees
- Personal Payroll

You will pay a flat rate, regardless of the length of labor you have, whether or not a back-up doula is called, etc. When you hire Jenny as your doula to attend your birth, you receive 100% of her efforts and knowledge. She typically contracts with a maximum of two families per month (usually only one).

How Doulas Support Partners / Dads:

What about the father’s or partner’s role when using Jenny as your doula?
Jenny does not take the place of the father or partner in labor, but instead, aims to complement and enhance your experience as a couple.

Type of Birth You are Planning:

Feeling unsure about whether you’d like a natural birth, medications or other interventions?

That’s completely normal – especially if this is your first baby! Jenny has experience working with a variety of scenarios. During prenatal appointments, we discuss: ‘natural’ or unmedicated births, epidurals, analgesic medications and other interventions. This is so you have a basic understanding of some of the common birth occurrences, but also prepares you for other alternatives in case you change your mind or in case a medical need requires a different course of action during your labor/delivery.

Jenny does NOT have a personal agenda – whether you are having an unmedicated birth, a somewhat medicated birth, an epidural, VBAC, cesarean, etc. Jenny does not make decisions for you. But, she does provide you with evidence-based unbiased information so you feel comfortable with the choices you make. Even if you are convinced you are going to birth in a certain way and change your mind, that is completely fine! You know your body best. You’ll know what you need in that moment.

Are you planning a “natural” or un-medicated birth?

Jenny’s presence as a doula can be beneficial no matter what type of birth you are planning. Studies report women needing fewer interventions when they have a doula – meaning they more often succeed at achieving their birth desires. As your doula, Jenny helps preserve your birth wishes, and helps you adapt your plan if your situation changes. Together, we discuss your birth goals during your prenatal appointments. Jenny prepares you for a natural or unmedicated birth, but also for other alternatives in case you change your mind or in case a medical need requires a different course of action during your labor/delivery.

How Jenny helps if you have medication and/or an epidural

For women who have a medicated birth (which may include an epidural), Jenny works with you, your partner and your birth team to strategize positions and comfort measures that will work best for a comfortable and productive labor. She provides emotional support, informational support and comfort measures throughout labor and throughout the administration of medications. She will help you process possible side-effects of the epidural and/or other medications or help fill in the comfort gaps if the medication(s) is not providing adequate relief. Epidurals do not affect all women universally the same. Women may have varying degrees of range of motion in their legs and/or can feel the contractions or pressure to different extremes when compared to other women.

What if we have a cesarean?

For mothers who undergo a cesarean (or C-Section), whether planned or not, Jenny will provide continuous support and encouragement. Just as with other procedures, she will help prepare you for your abdominal birth. You grew, carried and nourished this baby and now you are birthing this baby! Jenny will teach you what to expect and if permitted, accompany you into the operating room. Jenny will remain attentive to you, calmly let you know what is happening, and help remind you of your original birth wishes. She will remain with you during recovery, allowing your partner to stay with the baby should you be separated and assist with initial breastfeeding support.

I do NOT have a personal agenda – whether you are having an unmedicated birth, a somewhat medicated birth, an epidural, VBAC, cesarean, etc. I do not make decisions for you. But, I do provide you with evidence-based unbiased information so you feel comfortable with the choices you make. You will never disappoint me if you change your mind about your care. You know your body best. You know what you need in that moment.

Does Jenny have experience supporting a TOLAC / VBAC mom?

Yes! Jenny also supports moms who are planning to have a Trial of Labor After Cesarean (TOLAC) in order to successfully have a Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC). Just as with any birth, we will discuss your benefits and risks to your choices, medication / augmentation options and Jenny will provide in-person support at home and your birth location along with the other members of your birthing team.

Are you planning a hospital birth?

Hiring a doula for a hospital birth is quite beneficial, because Jenny will be with you for the long haul – from laboring at home (if appropriate) until baby arrives. Unlike the hospital staff, you are Jenny’s only “patient” to focus on.

Are you planning a birth center delivery?

You may select this home-like environment, because you are uncomfortable with birthing your baby at home, but are also wishing to avoid a hospital setting. Along with your midwife and other support person(s), Jenny will provide continuous physical and emotional support to you throughout your labor, birth and during the immediate postpartum period.

Are you planning to give birth at home?

You may feel the best location for you is to have your baby right in the comfort of your own home. Jenny works in harmony with your midwife and birth support team, providing continuous physical and emotional support to you throughout your labor, birth and during the immediate postpartum period.

How to Select a Doula:

How do you know if Jenny is the right doula for you?

Jenny enjoys working with all types of families. She welcomes diversity and special circumstances. Contact Jenny to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. During the consultation, you will have an opportunity to ask all your questions, discuss your ideal birth and get to know me better.

The most important thing when choosing a doula is to find a person with whom you feel comfortable communicating with, who gives you confidence and who you can look back and be grateful s/he shared in such an intimate experience with you and your partner.

Where do Jenny’s Clients Live and Birth?

Jenny works with clients who live and plan to deliver in Contra Costa County and some parts of Alameda and Solano Counties. Specific cities and hospitals served are listed at the bottom of this page.

If your city and / or hospital is not listed, please contact Jenny.

Things to keep in mind when interviewing doulas:

Meet with more than one doula – You may like all the doulas you meet and request your second choice to serve as your back-up doula.
Check out her website/reviews first – Come prepared with remaining questions.
Remember, this is an interview for her too – You are both getting to know each other to see if you would work well together. Be open and honest about your needs and expectations of what you are looking for.
After the interview:
- What does your “gut” tell you about meeting with this doula?
- Do you feel comfortable sharing this very intimate experience with her?
- Did she seem professional and organized? Have clear communication?

Suggested questions you may wish to ask during an interview with a potential doula:

What brought you to doula work?
How did you train to become a doula? How did it prepare you for this work?
What is your fee and what is included in your package(s)?
Do you offer any other professional services (i.e. postpartum doula work, placenta encapsulation, lactation education, childbirth preparation)?
What types of comfort measures do you offer (massage, aromatherapy, birth ball, peanut ball, rebozo, etc.)?
Have you have any other specialized training or professional background that you may incorporate into my birth?
Can you tell me what would happen if I am in labor at another time as one of your other clients, if you are ill, out of town, etc.?
How many clients do you typically take per month?
How do you help empower me (and my partner) to advocate for myself?
Can you give me examples of how you would support me if these scenarios happened? (Develop your own scenarios).
Can you tell me about your experience with the hospital or birth center where I am delivering (or with home births)? If unfamiliar, how will you prepare?
Do you have any references, reviews and/or former clients I can contact to discuss their experience in working with you?

Have more questions for Jenny? Submit them here.

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Copyright 2015 • Bay Bee Birth Services, LLC • Martinez, CA
Owner: Jenny Bare, MPH, CLD, CCCE, CHES
Ph: 925.381.9563 • E-Mail: baybeebirthservices@gmail.com