Montrealmom.com
  • Being Mom
    • Planning /Pregnant
    • Mom of Infant
    • Mom of Toddler
    • Mom of Schoolage Child
    • Mom Of Teen
    • Mom of Twins or More
  • Life
    • Time Management
    • Work & Entrepreneurship
    • Family & Relationships
    • Childcare & Education
    • Money
    • Me.
  • Fun
    • Event Calendar
    • Crafts & Activities at Home
    • Organized Activities
    • Outings
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Disney Fun
  • Food
    • Recipes
      • All
      • Baby Food Recipes
      • Beef
      • Beverages
      • Breads
      • Desserts
      • Eggs & Dairy
      • Fish
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dressings
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Soups
      • Vegetarian
    • Menu Planning
    • Nutrition
    • Entertaining
  • Lifestyle
    • Health & Safety
    • Home & Garden
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Weight Watchers
    • Shopping
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • DIY
    • Living Green
    • Montreal
  • Travel
    • Family
    • Travel Tips
    • Disney
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Apps & Tech
    • Automotive
    • Products & Services
    • Toys
  • Directory
    • Activity Centers
    • Caterering / Pret À Manger
    • Classes
    • Home Services
    • Parties and Related Services
    • Photographers
    • Professional Services
    • Services
    • Services for Mom
  • Work with Us
  • About
    • About Us
    • In the Media
  • Contact

Montrealmom.com

  • Being Mom
    • Planning /Pregnant
    • Mom of Infant
    • Mom of Toddler
    • Mom of Schoolage Child
    • Mom Of Teen
    • Mom of Twins or More
  • Life
    • Time Management
    • Work & Entrepreneurship
    • Family & Relationships
    • Childcare & Education
    • Money
    • Me.
  • Fun
    • Event Calendar
    • Crafts & Activities at Home
    • Organized Activities
    • Outings
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Disney Fun
  • Food
    • Recipes
      • All
      • Baby Food Recipes
      • Beef
      • Beverages
      • Breads
      • Desserts
      • Eggs & Dairy
      • Fish
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Salads
      • Sauces & Dressings
      • Sides
      • Snacks
      • Soups
      • Vegetarian
    • Menu Planning
    • Nutrition
    • Entertaining
  • Lifestyle
    • Health & Safety
    • Home & Garden
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Weight Watchers
    • Shopping
    • Fashion & Beauty
    • DIY
    • Living Green
    • Montreal
  • Travel
    • Family
    • Travel Tips
    • Disney
  • Reviews
    • Books
    • Entertainment
    • Apps & Tech
    • Automotive
    • Products & Services
    • Toys
  • Directory
    • Activity Centers
    • Caterering / Pret À Manger
    • Classes
    • Home Services
    • Parties and Related Services
    • Photographers
    • Professional Services
    • Services
    • Services for Mom
  • Work with Us
  • About
    • About Us
    • In the Media
  • Contact
InterviewsLifeMe.Planning /PregnantProducts & ServicesReviews

Demystifying the Doula with Megan Howarth

written by Tanya Toledano

So what is it exactly that doulas do????

So many people ask the same question, including myself.  I was tempted to delve into it during my pregnancies and when I was developing montrealmom.com, but somehow, it was one of those items on the “To Do” List that I never seemed to get to.

That recently changed as I had the opportunity to sit down with Montreal doula Megan Howarth to get answers to some FAQ’s about doulas.

If you’d like additional information, you can ask her in person as she is offering an information session at Melons & Clementines this Saturday, October 15 from 2-3:30 PM.  Full details are available on the montrealmom.com calendar.

(Please note that I have edited some of the questions & responses to make for an easier read, while maintaining the integrity of Megan’s responses)

Q: What exactly does a doula do?

A: A doula is a support person who is there to provide Mom with support, information & encouragement, during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. A doula can offer a different type of support and be more objective than Dad because she is less emotionally involved.

Q: What is the difference between a midwife & a doula?

A: A doula is not a medical person or a caregiver but a person with a good knowledge of the physiological aspects of childbirth as well as the birth process who is there to work in conjunction with the primary caregiver to support Mom’s needs or wishes

Q: At what point would someone engage the services of a doula?

A: Different people do different things but most commonly later in the second trimester

Q: Are doulas there to support the dads as well?

A: Actually, a lot of focus is placed on the couple as a whole and how the dad can best be prepared to support Mom.  Also, during the birth a lot of support is provided to Dad as well, so he feels confident and encouraged.  And yes, most dads are so happy to have had me there, I get big, teary-eyed hugs quite often!

Q: How often do you meet with moms prior to, and after the birth?

A: Again, this can vary, but generally speaking between 2-3 prenatal visits and 1 post-natal visit.  This can also vary depending if this is a first time mom or not.

Q: What kind of prenatal support is offered by a doula?

A:  Answering questions, dispelling myths, offering reassurance and encouragement.  Doulas offer real information in order to alleviate mom’s stress about the birthing process. If moms are concerned about something specific, a doula can recommend books to read on the topic. I keep a library of books I am familiar with and sometimes lend them out to my clients. Oftentimes, doulas help to counterbalance dad’s protective tendencies when numbers are presented by medical professionals.  Dads can get nervous when numbers are presented and forget that “worse-case scenario” doesn’t mean “most likely scenario”.  A doula can be there to remind Dad of what the numbers really mean which provides a great deal of support to mom in the situation. There tends to be a lot of pressure surrounding due dates.  A doula reminds us that there is a range of what’s normal and that mom’s body is not connected to the calendar, ready to ‘perform’ on such & such a date at such & such a time.

Q: What kind of postpartum support does a doula provide?

A: Just checking in with mom after the experience is a form of support.  Mom may have questions about what happened or just want to talk about the whole process.  A doula is there to listen and answer whatever questions she can.  A doula also prepares mom for what to expect postpartum- from breastfeeding to sleep patterns to the advantage of having some meals cooked in advance to lessen the load when baby gets here.  There are actually postpartum doulas who specialize in helping Mom during the postpartum period

Q: There tends to be a perception of doulas as being for those who wish to give birth at home or in a birthing center, with a midwife, is this accurate?

A: While I’d say that doulas definitely have leanings towards natural births at home, we are there to support moms in their decisions.  I work mainly in hospitals because that tends to be where moms give birth.  That said, doulas have knowledge of risks & benefits so that when a situation arises in the hospital (e.g. labour not progressing), they can help the couple ask the right questions for their particular situation, thus helping to find out more about what is happening, why and what else can be done.

Q: How much does a doula charge?

A: It varies based on experience.  In Montreal you can find doulas who charge as little as $300 up to $1200 for the most experienced doulas in the city.  I fall somewhere in between at about $500-$600.  This fee covers all of the visits and services provided by the doula.

Q: How does someone pick a doula?

A: You can do an online search and meet her for an interview.  Moms can generally figure out at the interview stage if they will make a good fit.  In the interview, mom should make sure to discuss her  thoughts and expectations about having a doula on board.

**************

I hope that these Q&A will be of some help to you in demystifying the doula.  If you have more questions, you can check out Megan’s website at www.meganthedoula.com or call her directly at 514-966-1657

Are you thinking of engaging the services of a doula? Have yo already done so?  Please share your experiences with our readers!

Wishing you a wonderful day,

Tanya

 

Doula – Megan Howarth
Montreal, Laval, South Shore
514-966-1657
www.meganthedoula.com
Support, information and encouragement during pregnancy, birth and during the post-partum period.

Demystifying the Doula with Megan Howarth was last modified: January 6th, 2020 by Tanya Toledano
0 comment
1
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Tanya Toledano

previous post
Wordless Wednesday-Help Wanted
next post
Outdoor Play for the Whole Family

You may also like

Take the Sustainable Laundry Pledge & Tide will Donate $5 to WWF-Canada’s Count for Nature Campaign!

April 20, 2017

Light The Night with Leah- Join Me!

September 27, 2012

Toca Tea Party- a Mom-Approved App

March 13, 2012

Forward Thinking for Driving in Reverse

June 21, 2011

TRIBES at the Segal Centre with My Teenage Daughter

December 10, 2015

Contagion

October 3, 2011

Parent Teacher Interviews: a ‘Notable Difference’

December 22, 2016

Mommy’s Taking a Time-Out. Again.

June 21, 2012

Moving? Need boxes? Check out GOBAC.ca!

May 25, 2012

KUMON: Flexibility is Important

September 15, 2016

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • GIVEAWAY: Enter for Your Chance to WIN One of Fifteen Family Packs of Four Passes to See the Montreal Advance Screening of Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’

  • GIVEAWAY: Enter for a Chance to WIN One of Ten Family Packs of Four Passes to See the Montreal Advance Screening of Disney’s Strange World!

  • NEW! Pre-K Program in the West Island at Inventor STEM School!

  • It Took Me Over Two Years To Let My Guard Down…and Less Than Two Days to Test Positive.

  • GIVEAWAY: ENTER for a Chance to WIN One of Five FAMILY PACKS OF FOUR PASSES to See the Montreal Advance Screening of Disney and Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ !

Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • #GIVEAWAYALERT Who would like to see the Montreal Advance Screening of Marvel Studios’ 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quant… https://t.co/lzjoGC9Ohk

    01-Feb-2023

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • Must share that I LOVE @TommyBahama -and that it’s available online in #Canada 💗 Not only are the dresses the BEST…… https://t.co/mHrgGKHFIc

    12-Dec-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • #GIVEAWAYALERT ENTER for a chance to WIN one of 10 FAMILY PACKS OF FOUR PASSES to see the Montreal Advance Screenin… https://t.co/FRs4UGrUqU

    08-Nov-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • Still looking for a Pre-K program with an enriching and educational experience in a half-day format? You'll be thri… https://t.co/xyrdoJ4SGd

    15-Aug-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • #GIVEAWAYAlert Who would like to see the Montreal Advance Screening of Disney and Pixar's 'Lightyear'?!? ENTER… https://t.co/riTuuYJQgM

    07-Jun-2022

    Reply Retweet Favorite
team-teluspg-mom-badge

Archives

Categories

LATEST FROM INSTAGRAM

Follow on Instagram

AS SEEN ON TV

Subscribe to montrealmomTV on YouTube to be the first to see Tanya's latest videos.
  • Our Family’s Experience with the Ford Expedition

Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube
  • Periscope
Footer Logo

© 2016 montrealmom.com. All rights reserved  |  Powered by Red Dream Studios


Back To Top
We use cookies on our website to give you the best experience on our website. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT