If you've never worked with a doula before, it can be hard to picture what the relationship actually looks like day to day. Is it like a midwife? A therapist? A really devoted friend who happens to know a lot about birth? Honestly, it's a little of all three — but on your terms and your timeline.
Step 1: The Free Consultation (Before You Commit to Anything)
Everything starts with a no-pressure conversation. We talk for 30–45 minutes, usually over video call, and I want to hear everything: where you are in your pregnancy, what you're hoping for, what you're afraid of, and whether you've worked with a doula before. This isn't an intake — it's us getting to know each other. You should leave feeling like you understand exactly what support would look like, and whether our connection feels right.
- No cost, no commitment
- You can bring your partner or support person
- Ask anything — no question is too basic or too specific
- We discuss your birth vision, fears, and non-negotiables
Step 2: Prenatal Visits (Typically 2–3 Before Birth)
Once you've signed on, we schedule prenatal visits — in person or virtual, whatever works for you. These are working sessions, not just check-ins. We build your birth plan together, practice comfort techniques, talk through your hospital's policies, and go deep on anything that's weighing on you. By the time labor starts, we know each other well.
"By the time your labor begins, your doula should feel less like a professional and more like someone who truly knows you."
Step 3: On-Call Period (Usually the Last 4–5 Weeks)
As you approach your due date, I go on call for you. That means my phone is on 24/7. You text or call when labor starts, I talk you through early contractions, we figure out together when it's time to head to the hospital or birth center, and I meet you there. I'm with you from that moment through delivery and for the first couple of hours postpartum.
- 24/7 availability near your due date
- Text and voice guidance through early labor at home
- Full presence through active labor and delivery
- Immediate postpartum support including skin-to-skin and first feed
- Photo documentation if you'd like it
Step 4: The Birth Itself
This is the part that's hard to describe until you've experienced it. I'm there for every contraction, every moment of doubt, every decision. I help you breathe, I suggest position changes, I talk to nurses when you can't, I remind your partner how to help you, and I hold the vision of the birth you wanted when the intensity makes it hard to hold it yourself. I don't make decisions for you — I make sure you're in the position to make your own.
Step 5: Postpartum Follow-Up
Birth doesn't end when the baby arrives. I follow up in the first week with a postpartum visit — either in person or virtually — to check on your recovery, breastfeeding, emotional wellness, and any questions that have come up. Many clients also add on postpartum support packages for additional visits in weeks two through six.
- Postpartum home visit in the first 7–10 days
- Breastfeeding support and troubleshooting
- Emotional check-in — screening for postpartum depression or anxiety
- Resource referrals for any additional needs
- Written birth story if desired
Every client's journey is different, and the support we provide is shaped entirely around you. If you're curious about what your specific experience might look like, the best next step is a free consultation — just a conversation, no strings attached.
Jazmine Britton
Founder of Monstera Roots & Mama Doula Inc. Certified birth doula, lactation supporter, and maternal wellness advocate based in New York City.
