Doula Support FAQs: What Denver Families Ask Most
Thats me! Cutting the cord of my beautiful client’s (and amazing friend) umbellical cord! I’ve birthed 3 babies and never cut any of my kid’s cord so this was so so special!
Welcoming a new baby into your family is a journey full of excitement, questions, and sometimes a whole lot of “what the hell do we do now?” As a Denver birth doula and photographer, I’ve walked alongside so many families who start out with the same handful of questions about doulas. Let’s dig into the most common ones so you can feel more grounded in what doula care actually looks like.
What does a doula do?
A doula provides emotional, physical, and informational support before, during, and after birth. That can look like steadying your breath through a contraction, guiding you and your partner through comfort techniques, or simply being the calm voice reminding you that you’re safe and doing beautifully. Unlike a doctor or midwife, I don’t perform clinical tasks. My role is to be your anchor in the storm and your advocate when you need clarity.
What’s the difference between a doula and a midwife?
A midwife is a medical provider. They handle your prenatal care, monitor the baby, and catch your baby at birth. A doula is non medical. I don’t do cervical checks or take blood pressure, but I help you stay informed, emotionally supported, and physically comforted. Think of it this way: a midwife manages the medical side while a doula nurtures the human side with lots of background knowledge and evidence based research.
What are the benefits of hiring a doula?
Families often wonder what they will actually gain by having a doula on their team. Here are some of the biggest benefits:
Emotional support: A steady presence who lowers stress, eases fear, and reminds you that what you are feeling is normal.
Physical comfort: Hands-on techniques, position changes, counter-pressure, and reminders to rest and hydrate.
Informational guidance: Help understanding your options, asking questions, and making informed choices.
Support for your partner: Guidance so they know how to help, chances for them to rest, and reassurance when they feel unsure.
Consistency: Nurses and providers may change during labor, but your doula stays the whole time.
Improved outcomes: Research links doula care to shorter labors, fewer interventions, and higher satisfaction.
Postpartum support: Check-ins, feeding support, and a chance to process your experience.
With me, these benefits also come with birth photography. Your emotional support and your story are both held in the same hands.
👉 Helpful resource: Evidence on Doulas— Evidence Based Birth
Will my partner feel left out if we hire a doula?
This is such a common fear, and the truth is that the reality couldn’t be more opposite! Partners often feel more confident and included when a doula is present. I am not there to replace anyone. I am there to make sure your partner knows how to help, when to rest, and when to lean in closer. After birth, many partners tell me they felt relieved to have someone guiding them too.
Are doulas only for unmedicated or home births?
Absolutely not.
A doula can be by your side in a Denver hospital room with an epidural, through an induction, or supporting you in a planned C section. It is not about how you give birth, it is about being supported through it.
How much does a doula cost in Denver?
Doula support here in Denver usually ranges between $1200 and $2500+ depending on experience and what is included. My packages are unique because they always include birth photography. When you hire me, you are not choosing between doula care or photography. You receive both. This means your emotional support and your story are held by the same trusted person.
See My Doula + Photography Page
Are doulas covered by insurance or Medicaid in Colorado?
Insurance coverage is slowly expanding, and some families are able to get partial reimbursement. I am always happy to provide receipts or paperwork you can submit to your provider. For families who need it, I also offer payment plans that fit your families needs. I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face but I truly am a firm believer and advocate in doula support and birth photography for families who wish to have the support and coverage regardless of financial status. Do not ever let your financial status keep you from reaching out to me.
👉 Helpful resource: Colorado Medicaid Doula Coverage Updates
Can a doula come to the hospital?
Yes. Most Denver area hospitals welcome doulas, including Rose, St. Joseph’s, Swedish, and the local birth centers. It is always a good idea to confirm with your provider, but doulas are widely recognized as part of the birth team here.
Do doulas attend C sections?
Yes. Sometimes I am allowed into the operating room, and sometimes I provide support right up until surgery, then rejoin you in recovery. Even with a surgical birth, you deserve continuous care. Someone who helps explain what is happening, comforts your partner, and supports you as you meet your baby. And yes, even during a C section, I am photographing your story whenever it is possible.
When should I hire a doula?
I always suggest reaching out as soon as you are becoming curoius about doula support! I’ve had some families reach out as soon as they tested postive and others weeks before their due date. The sooner, the better though as I only take a limited number of births per month so that I can ensure I can devote equal attention to my families I serve. Families often tell me the earlier they brought me in, the more supported and relaxed they felt heading into birth.
Can a doula also be my birth photographer?
With me, you don’t have to ask this as a separate question. My doula package always includes birth photography. You get one person you trust deeply who is present for your birth as emotional support and also quietly capturing every raw, tender detail of your story. There is no juggling two different people in your space. There is no choosing between presence and documentation. With me, you receive both.
