Tender Times
Providing Postpartum Support since 2000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a doula?Who needs a postpartum doula?
How long have you been a doula and what is your background?
What is your fee?
What are the benefits of doula care?
What exactly does a doula do?
What is the difference between a "baby nurse" and a doula?
This is my second child. Why should I hire a doula?
Is there any task you can’t or don’t do?
Will you come to the hospital?
Do you cover overnight hours?
Do you work on weekends?
When do you begin and end working with a client?
What are your business hours?
How do I sign up for service?
What areas/towns do you work in?
When should I call?
What is the typical length of time that families work with a doula?
What if we sign up for 10 hours now and then decide we want to add more hours after our baby is born?
What other support do you offer?
Is the cost of hiring a doula reimbursed through insurance?
Are there any other ways to pay for doula services?
Do you offer payment plans?
Do you offer gift certificates?
Can we meet in person before I hire you?
Do you supply references?
Do you provide any other baby-related services?
Answers
What is a doula?A doula (do-la) is an experienced, trained, non-medical care provider who supports you and your family in the exciting, but often hectic, weeks or months after the birth of a new baby.
If you’re a first-time mother, a doula is a caring, comforting presence and a non-judgmental “mother’s mentor.” A doula can answer questions regarding infant care and offer tips and tricks for feeding, bathing, clothing and soothing your baby. First-time parents often find that working with a doula quickly builds their confidence in their new parenting skills.
Who needs a postpartum doula?Anyone family looking for a smoother transition when their new baby arrives.
My fee is $35 per hour, with a minimum total of 10 hours of service. There is no maximum number of hours.
How long have you been a doula and what is your background?
I have worked in the doula field since the year 2000. My training includes attendance at a Doulas of North America (www.DONA.org) approved training series. I am currently a member of DONA, as well as of Doulas of New Jersey professional groups. I maintain adult - and child -CPR certification and regularly attend professional seminars on topics related to new parenting, such as Teaching Infant Massage, Recognizing Postpartum Depression, and Getting Breastfeeding Off to a Good Start. I am a college graduate and have worked as a teacher, an editor, a freelance writer and a garden designer. I am the mother of two grown daughters and the grandmother to two and have been a resident of Ridgewood, NJ for more than 25 years.
What are the benefits of doula care?
Having a doula support you after your baby’s birth has been shown to:
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Increase the success rate for breastfeeding. |
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Lower the incidence of postpartum depression. |
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Increase confidence in parenting skills. |
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Decrease feelings of isolation. |
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Facilitate bonding between parents and newborns. |
Generally, a doula cares for and provides physical, educational and emotional support for the new mother and her partner so they, in turn, can nurture and bond with their new baby.
For some parents
that’s as simple as providing dinner and catching up on laundry. Others may need
or want emotional support after their baby arrives. Many new mothers need help
learning the new skill of breastfeeding. They find the knowledge and experience
a doula can share about breastfeeding invaluable and reassuring. Still other new
parents want tips on how to bathe their newborn, soothe a crying baby, or want
ideas and resources to help cope with a growing family. Whatever your needs, I
aim to provide the level of support you need, tailored to your family.
What is the difference between a “baby nurse” and a doula?
A “baby nurse” (who, by the way, is often not a nurse at all) cares only for your infant and provides no care for you and no instruction in baby care.
As a doula, I nurture both the mother and the baby (and often the father). I mentor you and answer your questions in a gentle, non-judgmental way. I offer physical and emotional support with the aim of building your confidence so that you are soon more comfortable taking care of your baby. You’ll learn practical tips for swaddling, dressing, bathing, soothing etc. your baby. In addition, I provide skilled breastfeeding help. And, as my client, you have access to a collection of books and DVDs on birth, breastfeeding and baby-related topics from my lending library. If time allows, I also handle household chores, such as shopping, cooking nutritious meals, tidying up, laundry, errands and caring for siblings.
This is my second child. Why should I hire a doula?The already experienced second-time- and- beyond parent should keep in mind that that every baby is different and so may present different issues and challenges that a doula can help with. In addition, because a postpartum a doula offers a set of capable, helpful hands, you’ll have more time to focus on bonding with your new baby while maintaining your all-important connection to his/her older siblings.
Whether this is your first baby or your fifth, your growing family is changing and adjusting. Listing exactly what a doula does is difficult because every family has its own set of needs that will become clear after the new baby arrives. But here are some things a doula might do for you so you can rest and bond with your baby and family:
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Care for older siblings. |
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Catch up on laundry. |
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Prepare nourishing meals. |
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Run errands. |
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Pick up groceries or supplies |
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Handle phone calls and visitors |
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Provide resources and referrals. |
Is there any task you can’t or don’t do?
Insurance regulations prohibit me from transporting you or your children in my car. And while light housework, such as a quick sweep or vacuum, or cleaning up the kitchen from meal preparations etc., is within the scope of doula work, bathrooms and other large cleaning tasks are not.
Will you come to the hospital?
If you are breastfeeding for the first time, I will gladly visit you in the hospital to observe at least one feeding and to be sure the baby is latching correctly and that you are comfortable and confident with the new skills you are learning.
If overnight support is on your wish list, we can discuss the possibility, but unless circumstances are truly extraordinary, I prefer to work between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. I discuss nighttime parenting at length with all my clients and can offer many tips and resources to boost your confidence.
Not as a general rule, though I will
sometimes visit first-time breastfeeding new moms for a short visit if they
arrive home from the hospital on a weekend.
When do you begin and end working with a client?
I begin service anytime within the first two weeks of your baby’ s life.
However, in my experience, first -time and/or breastfeeding moms benefit most when service begins promptly. I suggest that I visit your family on the day after you arrive home from the hospital so we can be sure that your baby is latching/eating well and that you are confident and comfortable if you are breastfeeding. Hours must be completed by the time your baby is six weeks old, or they may be forfeited.
What are your business hours?
My business hours begin as early as 8 a.m. and extend until as late as 7 p.m. I
work primarily within a 10-mile radius of downtown Ridgewood. I am generally off
on evenings and weekends, but do make exceptions for special cases.
Call (201-652-4662) or e-mail me (elaine@tendertimesdoula.com) to be sure I am free when you plan to need assistance. At that time, I can e-mail the necessary forms to you. Alternatively, you can download the “Client Questionnaire” and “Service Agreement.". Print, fill out and return with a deposit check to Elaine Petrowski, 70 Phelps Rd., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
What areas/towns do you work in?
I work primarily in northwest Bergen County, NJ and cover Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, Midland Park, Wyckoff, Waldwick, Allendale, Ramsey, Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Oakland. Any parking fees are additional. If you live outside of my immediate area, please call (201-652-4662) so we can discuss your needs. If I am unable to work with you because of distance, it is likely I can provide a referral to one of the other trained doulas in New Jersey.
It’s best to call early in your pregnancy to ensure that the dates you anticipate needing a doula are scheduled. However, inquiries are always welcomed. Call (201-652-4662) to discuss your expectations and to explore how I might help you and your growing family. There is an additional late registration fee for those who sign a service agreement within 21 days of their baby’s birth.
What is the typical length of time that families work with a doula?
While my basic service agreement covers for 10 hours of service, the most popular contract is for 20 hours. This translates into about three hours of help, every other weekday, for about two weeks. You are of course, most welcome to contract for 30 or even 40 hours of support.
Provided my schedule is not heavily booked, it won’t be an issue, though you will be asked to take the hours that others with contracts have not previously requested. My best advice: If you are not sure how many hours you need or want, book the larger number.
What other support do you offer?
I offer a “Baby Blitz” program. This service consists of a one-time home visit (four to five hours duration) during your baby’s first week home. At this visit, we will work together to build your newborn care skills, such as feeding, diapering, dressing and soothing. I’ll answer your questions about sleep, what are normal noises and feeding patterns, etc. I will also provide you with a list of important local and national resources. This option also entitles you to up to three thirty-minute phone consultations over the first month of your baby’s life. The all-inclusive fee for this service is $200.
Is the cost of hiring a doula reimbursed through insurance?
Depending on the circumstances and the carrier, the cost of hiring a postpartum doula is sometimes reimbursed by medical insurance. Talk to your care provider and check with your carrier.
Are there any other ways to pay for doula services?
If you have set up a flexible spending account, you can use that to pay for doula services.
Yes. If you contact me early in your pregnancy, we can most certainly work out a monthly payment plan. I am also open to bartering for doula services.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes. Hiring a doula to provide support for a friend, family member or co-worker is the ideal baby or shower gift.
Can we meet in person before I hire you?
Yes. Provided your baby is not yet born, we can arrange a one-hour meeting in your home. If you subsequently sign a contract with me, that meeting will count as your first contract hour.
Yes. On request, I can provide you with
the names of former clients.
Do you provide any other baby-related services?
I am an infant massage instructor and
offer a series of three group lessons or can arrange for private, in-home
classes to individual moms or to groups of parents. I also moderate a periodic,
six-session small group discussion for new moms covering topics such as Getting
Dad More Involved, Introducing Solid Food, Baby Sign Language, Baby Proofing
Your Home, Safe Cleaning Products, Naming a Guardian for Your Baby. Call
(201-652-4662) or e-mail for more information and a schedule.