Doula Oahu is not a midwife. She is purely support, and is especially important for those without extended family living near by. If you have no family and no one you know has used a local doula before, this is for you!
I’ve done the Google research, checked out websites, and even contacted each one of these providers to help you get started!
Table of Contents: Doula Oahu
Hey! I’m Alison, lifestyle photographer, recovering homeschool mama of 4 boys circus and USMC family.
I’ve been photographing families for 12 years. One thing I’ve learned: photos never lose their value.
But the thought of dealing with 3 hour studio photoshoot is just too much.
Not only do you have to worry about getting everyone dressed and to the studio on time, but spaces can be cramped and uncomfortable – and take forever!
In home newborn photos are half the time and capture the intimate details that studios simply can’t.
How Newborn Photos Work
- We book your due date. I only take 2 families per week to leave plenty of wiggle room. Baby’s gonna do what baby’s gonna do! We get wardrobe set before delivery.
2. After baby arrives and everyone is home, we set the actual photo session day. Newborn sessions are weekday mornings usually around 10am and last up 90 minutes and are easy and painless.
3. Two to three weeks after photo day we gather again virtually for your Gallery Reveal & Order appointment! Buy only what you love. Digital files come with the print products.
What Does a Doula in Oahu Do?
A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to women and their partners before, during, and after childbirth.
Doulas are not medical professionals and do not provide medical care. Instead, they work in partnership with healthcare providers to ensure the mother’s wishes are respected and supported during labor and delivery.
Doulas provide continuous support throughout labor and delivery, offering comfort measures such as massage, breathing techniques, and position changes. They also provide information about the labor and delivery process and assist with creating a birth plan.
After childbirth, doulas provide support with breastfeeding, newborn care, postpartum recovery and in some cased meal preparation.
According to Evidencebasedbirth.com, research of continuous, one-on-one, support during labor and delivery showed:
“People who received continuous support were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and less likely to have any pain medication, epidurals, negative feelings about childbirth, vacuum or forceps-assisted births, and Cesareans. In addition, their labors were shorter by about 40 minutes and their babies were less likely to have low Apgar scores at birth. There is a smaller amount of evidence that doula support in labor can lower postpartum depression in mothers. There is no evidence for negative consequences to continuous labor support.
Evidence On: Doulas Evidencebasedbirth.com
How to Find a Doula in Oahu
To find a doula, start by asking for recommendations from friends, family, or healthcare providers.
You can also search online directories or contact a local doula organization for referrals.
Interview potential doulas to ensure they are a good fit for you and your spouse’s needs and preferences.
If you don’t have local friends or family that have a doula near you to recommend, keep reading! That’s why I’ve put this together!
What to Ask a Doula Before Hiring Her
- Before hiring a doula, ask about her experience, training, and certification. Certifications are available from multiple centers, so research which one they received training from. Is it reputable?
- Inquire about her availability and fees, as well as the scope of her services.
- Discuss your birth preferences and ask how she can support them.
- Ask for references and previous client experiences to gain insight into her approach and style.
- A good doula should be a good match for your needs and values.
- Keep reading for a list of questions!
Questions to ask a Potential Doula
These questions are not an exhaustive list for your doula search, but its a great start. Hopefully it will get your braining thinking and you’ll have even more!
- What is your experience as a doula? How long have you been practicing?
- What kind of training and certification do you have?
- What organization is your training and certification through?
- What is your availability around my due date?
- What is your fee and what services does it include?
- How do you support mothers during labor and delivery? What kind of comfort measures do you use?
- Can you describe your philosophy and approach to childbirth?
- How do you work with my spouse and the medical staff during labor and delivery?
- Can you provide references from past clients?
- Have you worked in the hospital/birth center/home birth environment before?
- Can you help me create a birth plan and advocate for my preferences during labor and delivery?
- Do you offer postpartum support?
- What kind of communication can I expect from you leading up to and during the birth?
- How far out to accept new clients?
Top 5 Doula Oahu
Best Birth Hawaii
“We are a doula agency and are able to serve families pursuing all kinds of births. We help them prepare through childbirth education classes and can support them in the postpartum period as well with lactation consultations and more. We really are the only place on Oahu where they can get all their pregnancy, birth and postpartum services from the same professional and caring place.”
Services Available:
- Doulas
- Birth classes
- Breast feeding classes
- Placenta encapsulation
- Sleep coaching
- Belly binding
Location: Honolulu
Website: https://www.bestbirthhawaii.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestbirthhawaii/
Malama Momma, Jenna Clarke
From Jessica, “I am a certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Advanced Certified Newborn Care Specialist, and Birth & Postpartum Doula with 10 years of experience serving families nationwide.
While I do provide in-home postpartum and sleep support, most of my clients are virtual. When families book my sleep packages, I conduct a video consultation via Zoom, then I craft their sleep plan. We implement their sleep plan together for two weeks with real time daily check-ins via the Rested app.
My approach is broad and patient-centered. I don’t subscribe to any one sleep method, but rather speak to parents about their specific goals and select a method that best aligns with their parenting approach.
The families that hire me know the value of a consultant to guide them. A pediatric sleep / postpartum specialist is a walking, talking resource to implement a plan to thrive. There are countless books and articles parents can read, but they hire me to have expert support along the way. The parents I work with love the individual, tailored support and care they receive from me. They are confident as a result and enjoy their transition into parenthood.
Mālama is Hawaiian and means, “to care for, to protect”. My hope and prayer is to empower parents to care for and protect their journey into parenthood. Becoming a parent changes you forever and having an expert guide can make the experience so much smoother.”
Services Available:
- Pediatric Sleep Consulting Services
- Newborn Care Specialist
- Postpartum Doula Support
- Birth Doula Support
- dōTERRA Product Education
- Surrogacy Consultation
Location: O’ahu, worldwide
Website: https://www.malamamomma.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malamamomma/
Birth Believers
Birth Believers is a group of DONA certified doulas that operate as independent practitioners. You can read each of their biographies on the front page of their website.
Services Available:
- Doulas
- Childbirth Education
- Placenta Encapsulation Services
Location: Kaneohe
Night Owl Nanny Care
From the director:
“Our team is usually booked out months in advance. It’s important for families to start looking for a Night Nanny sooner than later.”
Services Available:
- Birth Doula
- Postpartum Doula
- Night Nanny
- Night Nurse
- Newborn Care Specialist
- Night Doula’s Sleep Training Infants and Toddlers
Location: Honolulu
Website: https://nightowlnannycare.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightowlnannycare/?hl=en
Sacred Healing Arts
Services Available:
- Naturopathic Medicine
- Home Birthing & Doula Services
- Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine
- Massage & Bodywork
- Pediatrics
- Yoga Therapy
Location: Honolulu
Website: https://www.sacredhealingarts.info/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_healing_arts_hawaii
Doula Oahu Not Accepting New Clients
As of this writing in Spring 2023, the following providers are not accepting new clients:
- Wunder Birth
- In Grace Services
Please let me know if this changes! I’m happy to update!
Doula in Oahu Wrap Up
The evidence shows that having a doula by one’s side can reduce the need for interventions, improve breastfeeding success, and enhance the overall birthing experience. Doulas are indispensable allies in promoting positive childbirth experiences and empowering individuals as they embark on their parenting journey.
Doulas play a crucial role in supporting families during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Their non-medical, emotional, and informational support helps expectant parents navigate the challenges and uncertainties of childbirth, for better birth outcomes and increased satisfaction.
Doulas offer personalized care, advocate for the individual’s birth preferences, provide comfort measures, and facilitate communication with healthcare providers.
If you liked Doula Oahu, you may also like:
I'm a USMC spouse, South Carolina native, recovering homeschool mama of a 4 boy circus. They've taught me the most important facet of family photography: KEEP IT FUN!
Alison's Process
contact Alison
