What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who can provide physical, emotional, informational, and advocacy support during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the early postpartum period. As non-medical professionals, we do not provide prenatal care or medical support during labor or birth. We are trained to help you and any loved ones supporting you to feel empowered, confident, and supported during this time period.

Do you only support unmedicated births? What if I want to get an epidural?

All of the Doulas with Dogwood Doula Collective support ALL kinds of births, including unmedicated, medicated, inductions, and cesareans. We also support all kinds of families and birthing people as we are committed to equal care for everyone.

What birth locations do you support?

We serve many birth locations across the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area including UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, WakeMed (Cary, North, & Raleigh), and UNC Rex Hospital. Additionally, some of our doulas may support at local birth centers or home births with a licensed medical provider present.

Do you replace partners during labor and birth?

Not at all! Our goal is to support everyone in the room during labor and birth, including partners, family members, or other loved ones who are there to support you. We have many ways to include loved ones in the experience, including teaching comfort measures and pushing support and even helping partners hold the baby skin-to-skin after birth. Additionally, sometimes loved ones need extra emotional support or even a reminder to take a quick break or to eat.

What if I have a Cesarean birth?

All of the members of the Dogwood Doula Collective have completed OR training through UNC and have supported both planned and unplanned Caesarean births. If a Caesarean birth is recommended (or a part of your plan), we are happy to provide support and information beforehand, within the operating room (if allowed), and during early postpartum to help you feel confident, empowered, and supported. Depending on where you deliver, we may be able to help you get skin-to-skin time with your baby or even attempt feeding in the operating room.

Do you provide postpartum support?

We provide all birth clients 1-2 postpartum visits to check in, reflect, and help with feeding or infant care. At this time, our doulas are not currently taking on postpartum clients, but may be able to provide postpartum support or provide postpartum doula recommendations within the area.