A worthy investment.

There are things in our lives that are just no brainers when it comes to what we will spend money on. Food. Shelter. 5G data plan....okay, that one is not a need more than a want. But in this day and age, living without a connected smart phone is foreign to us. Though there are some days I long for the time when the phone hung on the wall and we spent more time getting lost in our surroundings.
It comes down to how much we value the service or product offered that determines if we are willing to pay the price tag. So when I tell people what I do a question that is often asked is "is a doula worth the price?".
I like to view our services as an investment into you and your baby's health. Here are a few reasons why an experienced or trained doula is worth her weight in gold.

Professionalism- Many doulas have invested time and money into certification. Other's have spent countless hours at births and have years of experience. We respect your birth because your birth is important. You won't find us talking or Instagraming about it (unless you give us permission to). We work hard to maintain good relationships with your medical caregiver so that your experience is the best it can be. We carry insurance. We are licensed. We pay taxes. 
Feminine wisdom- Experienced and trained doulas carry wisdom about pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum that is so valuable. Call it our sixth sense, but we usually are able to survey the situation and know what you need at any moment. We can sense and help ease pregnancy jitters. With every rise and fall of each stage of labor, your doula can bring intuition and insight; she may offer a position change, remind you of your focus, apply a cold towel to your head, breath along with you. We don't mind talking about the weird stuff that happens before and after birth. Most of us have been through it and it doesn't bother any of us.
Research-The great part about having a doula is that we do hours research and find the most reputable sources for you. When you have a question you will be met with the best information available. We are continually learning and staying up to date with what the most recent research findings. We attend workshops and classes so that we can better serve you.
Time- We take the time to get to know you. We want to know about your family, your pets, what makes you laugh and what your favorite cookie is. While your doctor may talk with you for ten minutes, your doula takes the time to create a relationship. Being invited to be a part of your birth is an intimate role and we want to make sure you are as comfortable with us as possible. Your doula is only a phone call or text away and she will typically get back to you within hours, sometimes minutes.

These are just a few things on top of the many different benefits (which you can find here) that you may experience when having a doula on your team. Is a doula worth her fee? I think so.