FAQS

Let us help make hiring a doula an easy process for you. We know that you may have multiple questions and concerns. Please read through the FAQs but feel free to contact us via email mom@themothershipnyc.com for any additional information. 

 

WHAT IS A DOULA?

A doula is a Greek word for a woman that serves. It has been adapted to mean a woman who gives emotional, physical, and informational support to a birthing person and her partner/family before, during, and after labor.

We will draw on our professional training and experience to provide you with such support, and as needed, help communicate with the hospital/birthing staff to make sure you have the information you require to make informed decisions as they arise in labor. We can provide reassurance and perspective in labor for you and your partner, make suggestions for labor progress, and help with relaxation, soothing touch/massage, positioning, and other techniques for comfort.

We are independent and self-employed. As your doulas, we work for you and not your caregiver or hospital.

 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES?

Numerous studies have documented the benefits of having a doula present during labor. Many recent reports show a very high number of positive birth outcomes when a doula is present. With the support of a doula, women are less likely to have pain medication administered and less likely to have a cesarean birth. Women also reported having a more positive childbirth experience.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT DOULAS HAVE ON BIRTH OUTCOMES?

  • 50% reduction in the cesarean rate 25% shorter labor
  • 60% reduction in epidural requests 40% reduction in pitocin use
  • 30% reduction in analgesia use 40% reduction in forceps delivery
  • Improved chest/breastfeeding
  • Reported satisfaction with birth experience
  • Decreased postpartum depression

There are no disadvantages to having women supporting other women during birth.

 

HOW IS A DOULA DIFFERENT FROM A LABOR AND DELIVERY NURSE OR PARTNER/SPOUSE?

They differ in the ability to provide continuous, uninterrupted support. A doula rarely leaves the laboring person's side. Nurses have many other patients and simultaneous responsibilities. A nurse’s support ends when her shift does. The doula has one obligation during your pregnancy and labor—and that is that you're comfortable and your needs are met. Families and doulas will work together to make a support team for the mother.  Partners are an essential support person for the laboring person to have by their side. However, the partner will have their own needs - food, sleep, and mental breaks during long labors. The doula has expert knowledge about birth, medical procedures, or what goes on in labor. Doulas and partners will work together to make up a labor support team.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BIRTH DOULA AND MIDWIFE?

A midwife and doula have distinctly separate roles in their support of your birth.

Midwives are able to deliver babies at home births, birthing center births, and hospital births, and are responsible for the health of you and your child prenatally and during childbirth.

Your Midwife will:

  • Run prenatal tests
  • Advise you on health during pregnancy, birth and postpartum
  • Prescribe maternal health related supplements or medications
  • Monitor you and baby during labor, birth, and postpartum
  • Perform physical examinations prenatally, during labor and postpartum
  • Consult with an obstetrician if a medical complication arises which is out of the midwifery scope of practice
  • Do their best to help you have a comfortable birth, but their primary responsibility will be their clinical responsibilities

Doulas, on the other hand, are not medical professionals. Doulas provide emotional, informational, and physical support during pregnancy and birth.

Your Doula will:

  • Establish a prenatal relationship with you
  • Help you articulate your vision for your birth
  • Give you evidence based information so that you can give informed consent to things happening to your body and baby
  • Direct you to resources in the community for pregnant women and families
  • Help keep you and your partner calm and supported during labor
  • Use tools and techniques to help you manage the intense physical sensations of labor and birth
  • Make suggestions regarding laboring and birthing positions depending on how your labor is progressing
  • Ensure you feel confident communicating your needs to your health care provider
  • Provide postpartum emotional support and help with breastfeeding initiation
  • Direct you to your doctor or midwife for any medical questions

Although doulas do not provide medical care, research shows they do increase your likelihood of avoiding unnecessary medical interventions such as instrumental delivery and cesarean birth.

 

WHAT IF I PLAN ON RECEIVING AN EPIDURAL OR HAVE A SCHEDULED C-SECTION?

Planning on an epidural? 

Plenty of women receive epidurals for pain, some planned and some unplanned. A doula is able to support a laboring mom planning on receiving an epidural the same as one who is not. Many hospitals will only begin to administer anesthesia when a laboring woman is at least 4-5cm dilated. A doula supports a mom before, during, and after it is administered. Often times, women are able to labor a longer amount of time with a doula, lessening the chances of a needed c-section, or interventions such as forceps/vacuum. If the laboring person receives an epidural, a doula can help keep laboring person and partner make informed decisions and help laboring person with comfort measures and optimal positioning for labor. Epidural or not, a doula saves as emotional and mental support 

Scheduled a c-section?

If laboring person has a scheduled c-section, a doula is able to accompany the laboring person, calming them and their partner before the surgery, which often brings about all kinds of emotions. After the c-section, when the partner will need to stay with the baby, a doula is able to stay with the laboring person so they are not alone, keeping them updated on the process as well as providing mental and emotional support. A doula is also able to document the birth, write a birth story, take photos, and help with chest/breastfeeding. 

 

WHAT IF THE DOULA IS UNABLE TO ATTEND MY BIRTH AT THE LAST MINUTE?

In the event of an emergency, which coincides with the day a person goes into labor The Mothership will always have one to two back up doulas on call. The Mothership has a thorough list of wonderful doulas who we know personally and would trust at our own birth. THIS IS A RARE OCCURRENCE AND NOT ONE TO WORRY ABOUT.


Placenta Encapsulation FAQS

Let us help make encapsulating your placenta an easy process for you. We know that you may have multiple questions and concerns. Please read through the FAQs but feel free to contact us via email mom@themothershipnyc.com for any additional information. 

How many pills will I get?

The total amount of capsules often depends on the volume of the placenta. The choice of encapsulation method will also affect the final count. The raw method yields more pills. 

From experience, the average placenta will produce 140 to 200 capsules. 

How long do the capsules last?

On average, placenta capsules have a 1-2 year shelf life if stored properly.

After two weeks, transfer remaining capsules into a ziplock bag, and store in the back of the freezer to extend shelf life. 

 

How do I take the capsules?

You will receive full instructions regarding dosage with your order. 

 

What sanitation precautions are taken?

Safety and hygiene are paramount with any kind of placenta preparation. The methods we use consist of rigorous sanitation standards.

We have dedicated supplies and equipment. They are all stainless steel, glass, food grade plastic and when possible, disposable, discarded after one use.

All submersible equipment is washed in hot water with antibacterial soap, then sanitized in a bleach solution and air dried. Antiviral and antibacterial solutions are used for the non-submersible equipment.

We operate under strict Food Safety Guidelines and are licensed for Food Handling under New York State. 

We also operate under the guidelines of Bloodborne Pathogen Safety, certified in Bloodborne Pathogen Training for Doulas and Placenta Encapsulators with Biologix Solutions.

 

Is it ok to encapsulate after:

Delayed or Immediate Cord Clamping

Yes, you can encapsulate no matter when you decide to clamp the cord. 

 

Having an Epidural / C-Section

Yes, it is not a contraindication. The placenta filters out medication quickly. 

I encapsulate placentas for people who have epidurals, spinals, c-sections, & inductions.

 

Having a Waterbirth

It is common for providers to ask the birthing person to leave the pool to birth the placenta. 

It is safe to encapsulate, even if it’s birthed in the water. If the water is not in good condition, the Raw Method may not be suitable and it’s recommended for the placenta to be steamed to make sure all bacteria are eliminated.

 

A Lotus Birth

No, a lotus birth requires the placenta staying attached until the umbilical cord falls off naturally. This happens between 5 and 15 days. The placenta would be unsuitable for consumption. 

 

There Was Meconium in The Bag of Waters 

Yes. Meconium is only dangerous if it gets inhaled into the infant’s lungs, but is otherwise sterile. The placenta is thoroughly rinsed before the encapsulation process begins. A vinegar bath may be applied. The food safe temperatures of steaming and/or dehydrating eliminate any remaining bacteria.

 

I tested positive for Group B Strep

Yes. The placenta can still be encapsulated as the high heat of steaming and/or dehydration will eliminate any remaining bacteria.

 

The Placenta Was Sent to Pathology 

No. Once the placenta goes to the lab, there is a chance that the placenta has been contaminated with chemicals, that the equipment used for examination has not been properly sterilized, & that the placenta gets lost.

If your placenta needs to be tested for any reason, ask your provider to take a piece in front of you to examine while the rest is properly stored in your room for encapsulation. 

 

Cord Banking 

Yes, you can do both. You will need to voice your wishes to keep the placenta for encapsulation to the company you are using, and therefore to have it handled as a food product at the time of cord blood collection.

 

I Had Pre-eclampsia

Yes, pre-eclampsia is NOT a contraindication for encapsulation. After the birth your placenta will be examined routinely for irregularities and problems. If your care provider detect an issue or infection in the placenta, it will be sent to pathology and therefore it will not be possible to encapsulate

 

Having Placenta Previa

Yes. This has no effect on the ability to encapsulate the placenta.

 

Having Gestational Diabetes

Yes. Whether diet-controlled or insulin-controlled, this does not affect the ability to encapsulate the placenta.

 

Having My Placenta Frozen

If your placenta was stored properly immediately after birth and also properly frozen, ideally within 24 hours from the birth and up to 4 days of proper storage in the refrigerator, then it is safe to encapsulate for up to six months after the birth.

 

My Baby Prematurely Born

Depending on the level of prematurity, the placenta may still be used. Smaller babies typically have smaller placentas, so the amount of capsules will be less than that of an average full term baby.

 

Having Twins or Triplets

Yes

 

When it is NOT possible to encapsulate a placenta?

  • Chemically contaminated placentas in pathology, either sanitizing or preserving.
  • Placentas that have sat out longer than 4-5 hours at room temperature post birth with no preservation methods.
  • Placentas that have sat in the refrigerator for more than 4-5 days without being frozen.
  • Uterine infections or chorioamnionitis ( an inflammation of the fetal membranes due to bacterial infection)
  • Heavy drug usage.
  • Heavy smoking during pregnancy.
  • Cancer of the placenta, which is called choriocarcinoma.

 

Is anything else added into the capsules besides the placenta?

No. There are no binders, fillers or preservatives added into the capsules. The content is 100% your placenta.

 

What is a Tincture?

A placenta tincture preserves the placenta’s medicinal qualities for lifelong use. It is processed by taking a very small portion of the raw placenta and placing it in a prepared solution of high grade alcohol for a minimum of 6 weeks. It is suitable for consumption through the maternal lineage (grandmother, mother, daughter). 

Interested? Please email Mom@TheMothershipNYC.com or book your complimentary placenta encapsulation consultation so we can discuss how I can best support you. 

Place your deposit today.