Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend starting prenatal classes in the second trimester, around 20 weeks gestation. However, anytime in pregnancy is an appropriate time to begin a class. 

No worries! We do offer private classes as well. Reach out and we are happy to accommodate as best as we can.

Our birthing classes cover a range of topics, including stages of labor, pain management techniques, positioning for labor and birth, and newborn care. We also offer classes specifically for partners and support persons.

Yes, please reach out to us, and we would be happy to discuss your options.

Besides the obvious, one supports you during birth and the other supports you at home during postpartum. There is more information on each doula's role on the Services page.

There are many "reasons" a family might need a postpartum doula. Some of these include: First-time parents; Parents of multiples; Cesarean section birth/recovery; Families with little local support; Women who want to breastfeed; Families with other young children; Women at risk for or experiencing postpartum depression & anxiety; Premature births/babies; Parents who have experienced difficult deliveries; Babies with colic or reflux; Families with high anxiety levels; Babies with special needs; New parents with limited experience with newborns; Mothers who have been on bed rest throughout pregnancy; New parents with no family nearby.

Postpartum doulas work with you during those first moments at home, typically ranging from a couple weeks to a couple months. Postpartum doulas provide unbiased, evidence-based information, and create a safe space for you to feel comfortable and cared for. You will receive assistance with newborn care, light household tidying, food preparation, breastfeeding, laundry and more. Postpartum doulas provide critical support during the often overlooked "fourth trimester."

No. Whereas a nanny cares only for your children, a postpartum doula cares for both mom and baby in the tender and sometimes trying time following birth. This means that along with helping you become the best parents for your baby, your doula is also knowledgeable about a mother’s special needs in the postpartum period and is able to facilitate a smooth emotional and physical transition to motherhood. As well, postpartum doulas are trained in the art of breastfeeding and provide the help or encouragement you need.

A newborn nanny’s role would focus solely on caring for the baby, whereas my role focuses on meeting the needs of the whole family and educating the family on all things Postpartum and Newborn. With a postpartum doula, you get expert newborn and postpartum care from a trained postpartum professional, and in my case, a former Mother/Baby & Pediatric nurse. Though it is not my primary role, I also help with household duties (laundry, dishes, household organization, tidying, meal prep) to help parents feel less overwhelmed and help days go more smoothly so you can focus on bonding with your baby.

A postpartum doula is not a babysitter or a house cleaner.

Unfortunately, night support is currently not something we formally offer. However, please feel free to connect with us and explain your situation and we can possibly find a way to support you. 

Whether you want to give birth at home or by scheduled cesarean, birth doulas support ALL kinds of birth. A lot of people imagine doulas supporting home births or think doulas are only for the "crunchy" families. While that may be a stereotype for doulas, a large majority of doulas can be found in hospitals and birth centers. Some doulas have "specialties" or certain styles that they bring to the table, meaning that they might be a better fit for a certain idea you have for your birth. Experience and additional training do come into play here. Doulas support any and all birth, from midwife-supported home births to birth center births to unmedicated hospital births to scheduled cesarean births.

It is never too early to hire a Birth Doula. We often recommend that you start your search in your first trimester, talk to and interview a couple of doulas, and really determine who is the best fit for you. You deserve someone you feel an easy connection with and someone who you feel fits your personality and needs. However, don't feel discouraged if you are in your second or third trimester and still on the search for a doula. We will get you where you need to be.
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We do! However, we do encourage you to try and find someone local. As always there are risks when using a third party carrier. If you need help locating someone in your area, reach out to, we may be able to help you find them. 

Absolutely! I stay up to date on Blood-Borne Pathogens, and I obtain a Food Handlers Certificate as well completing a specialized training for placenta specialists.

Research has shown that having a doula can lead to shorter labor, fewer medical interventions, and a more positive birthing experience overall. Our doulas at Western Ky Birth Services provide emotional and physical support throughout the entire labor and delivery process.