With COVID 19 precautionary measures being taken by many birth places, will you be able to attend my birth?

In regard to birth center births, yes, but double check with your birth center. In regard to hospital births, at this time (early July 2020), a Certified Doula can attend as a member of the birth team, along with a support person, at a couple of area hospitals. Since May 5, 2020, the Indiana Hospital Association has recommended in their official Visitation Statement that this be policy at all Indiana Hospitals. This recommendation has not been followed by most and that is changing and still can change either way at any moment. When I join you at your hospital birth, I will have a copy of my Current Birth Doula Certification with me to show to the L&D Staff, as most hospitals are requiring this. Wherever you are planning your birth, please inquire with them about having your Certified Doula with you and lobby for it to be their policy that professional doulas be allowed to attend as a part of the birth team. Talk to your provider about your plans as well. Please contact me for current birth place statuses regarding doulas.

Do you offer virtual services?

Absolutely! Virtual services are feasible when your birth doula is not able to be present. It is tempting to quickly dismiss this concept when in-person support is in question according to individual hospitals, but there are many pros to virtual support, for you and your husband/partner. Preparing for virtual support is included in our prenatal preparations.

What are NEI Doula Services’ Fees?

Please see Doula Services for Antepartum, Postpartum, Labor & Birth, and Consultation Fees. Please see Bereavement for doula bereavement support fees. You may request a full Menu of Services by contacting me.

Will you take Payment Plans?

Yes. NEIDS will work with you to set up a payment plan, and this plan will be included in your contract.

How do you accept payments?

Payments are accepted by cash, check made out to Lora Schnurr, Paypal to neidoula@gmail.com, or Venmo @Lora-Schnurr

Does a doula deliver babies?

A doula does not deliver babies. A doula is not a licensed medical professional and does not act in a clinical capacity. A certified doula provides professional support for the physical, emotional, and educational needs surrounding pregnancy, birth, and postpartum choices. Northeastern Indiana Doula Services provides professional certified doula support for Antepartum, Postpartum, Labor & Birth, and Bereavement, with consultations available.

What is the difference between a midwife and a doula?

A midwife is a health care provider, while a doula can be described as a childbirth “coach.” You might choose to have a midwife instead of an OB for prenatal care and to deliver your baby. Midwives can deliver babies in hospitals, birthing centers or even in your home. A doula provides a different service that supports you emotionally, physically, informationally to bring about the best outcomes for mother and baby. A doula can work with a midwife, and/or your birth team, to help you have the best possible experience.

Can I hire a doula to be my advocate?

You can hire Northeast Indiana Doula Services to support you as you advocate for yourself. Part of the prenatal process with NEIDS is to educate you about your rights to informed consent. You will learn how to use the knowledge you gain along with your voice to speak for your own wants and needs. A doula does not advocate for you but is by your side to help you remember to advocate for yourself as well as remind you of your own desires and birth plan, as well as help ask questions regarding your care and changes to staff and environment. A doula will communicate with medical staff if needed to help with clarification and confirmation of your desires.

Can I only hire a doula if i’m planning a natural labor and birth?

The answer is No. Northeast Indiana Doula Services provides support for unmedicated, medicated, or caesarean section births. Women still need support, encouragement, education, comfort measures, etc. for all types of birth plans or unexpected circumstances.

Does a doula take the place of my spouse (or partner)?

NEIDS will work with a woman and her spouse/partner during doula prenatal appointments to assess the needs of both. Sometimes this means that the doula is hired to be the main support person, but usually it means that she is hired to work alongside the spouse to coach, and/or support the spouse so that the couple works together. In every case, the needs and relationship of the woman, spouse/partner come first.

What if I can’t afford a doula?

Northeast Indiana Doula Services has options for you. One of those options is consultation services to prepare for your Antepartum, Postpartum, Labor & Birth, or Loss. Consultation means that you can save a considerable amount of money just by taking the time to meet and be informed, assess your situation, and make a plan. You can still have the support of a doula through consultation and phone services alone. (See Services) You can later opt to have consultation time and fees applied toward a contract. Another option is to ask family and friends to apply gift money to go toward doula services in place of a shower gift. Gift Certificates are available. Payments plans are available.

Do you offer specials or discounts?

Discounts are considered on an individual basis. For example, in the case of a single mother, someone with no support, or loss, a discount could be applicable. Postpartum packages are available at a savings. Payment Plans, if requested, are always worked out according to the individual client’s needs.

With experience, the decision was made to not offer specials. Birth is not at all predictable, even if an induction or cesarean section is scheduled. For NEIDS to be prepared for each circumstance, takes time and monetary investment in certifications, education, preparation, and assessment, charging a fair price for the value given. As a self-employed, independent professional, and as a consumer making an investment into your and your baby’s well-being, specials are counter-productive to high-quality services and limits the business’s options to invest back into clients, community, family, and business. The time and consideration given clients’ cases and needs, being on call, supplying resources and information, follow up, etc., means current pricing is an incredible value. The ability to pay a backup, if needed, for consulting, time, and worth is vital in order to provide peace of mind for both client and doula. Depending on the birth, it often takes several days of post-birth physical and mental doula recovery time.

Can I be Reimbursed by my Insurance?

It depends. If you have an HSA, it is often possible to use those funds for doula services. Christian share ministries will often cover the costs of a doula. Aside from these options, when your contract with NEIDS is complete, we can provide you with a letter for your insurance, a paid invoice, and our National Provider Identifier Number. We will work with you to provide what your insurance carrier needs for a claim.

Do you have a backup?

Yes. For all contracts, NEIDS will secure a specially-selected professional backup doula in case of unforeseen circumstances, illness, or emergencies.

Can I hire NEI Doula Services to help me with my “unassisted” or “free” birth?

NEI Doula Services believes in a woman’s complete autonomy and rights to birth her way, but we will not contract with expectant clients who are not under the care of a midwife or doctor. To be a professional doula at an unassisted birth risks legal liability and medical malpractice. If you are planning an unassisted birth, and are under the care of a medical provider, you may inquire about our consultation or phone services. We will not attend an unassisted birth.

What Does “Full Spectrum” Doula Services mean and does NEIDS provide them?

The term “full spectrum” in the doula realm is referring to the full spectrum of reproductive issues facing women. This can include infertility, surrogacy, contraception, miscarriages, adoption, personal traumas, and much more, but generally full-spectrum doulas are known to support abortion. Lora is not an abortion doula, aka “full-spectrum” doula. She believes life begins at conception and that every life has value in the eyes of God. In cases of loss, it is sometimes medically advised, for a variety of reasons, to terminate a pregnancy. If this is you, as a bereavement doula, Lora will work with loss clients on a case-by-case basis. Either way, if you are a woman facing something hard, and you are alone, no matter what’s going on, she is available to listen. If you have contemplated abortion, whether for loss or otherwise, or had an abortion, and need someone to hear you in confidence, Lora will hear you. For cases of infertility, natural family planning, surrogacy, adoption, or personal traumas, Lora will consider providing support on a case-by-case basis or refer you to someone who can. For more resources on any full spectrum topic, you can request them here.