Frequently Asked Questions
What's Your WHY?
I got started in birth work because of the maternal and infant health outcomes that affect birthing people in my community. As a community doula, it is important for me to help create solutions and more inclusivity within my community. My hope is to help increase the number of birth outcomes by providing solutions that close the systemic gaps in the communities I serve.
I’m actually a mother of four. After giving birth without a doula, I realized how unsupported I felt as a mother and from that point on I became exceedingly curious about birth work. I have now helped more than 100 mothers and their birth teams receive the quality of support I wish I had.
What's Your TRAINING?
Yes, I am a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula.
I’m certified through DONA International, the leader in evidence-based doula training, certification and continuing education.
Yes, I participate in monthly meetups, workshops, skill shares and trainings. I am also a trainer for Expecting Birth Justice and Black Woman Birthing Justice. I also collaborate with other agencies and community programs to advance birth work and birth outcomes.
Yes, I am a stakeholder for the Medi-Cal Doula Reimbursement Benefit. I take part in the Maternal and Infant Health Workgroup for Solano County Commission for Women and Girls, as well as the Sacramento Black Infant Health & Perinatal Equity Initiative in Sacramento. I also partner with Expecting Birth Justice, RAMS and Black Women Birthing Justice. I am a member of the National Black Midwives Alliance and I assemble a small network of new doulas in my community.
What's Your EXPERIENCE?
I’ve been involved in more than 100 births. I am also a student midwife and have been able to see births from multiple lenses.
I’ve been the lead doula for over 70 births.
Yes
Yes, I have attended more than 20 home births.
I have attended births at many hospitals throughout the Bay Area including the Kaiser and Sutter Health network Marin Birth Center and Pacifica Family Birth Center. I’ve had varied experiences and would be more than happy to share my experience during our free consultation.
Yes, I have experience with birth complications and emergencies. While we all hope for a smooth and complication free birth, things do happen and I am well equipped to help you navigate through those situations.
Yes, I support each of my clients with breastfeeding. This occurs during our childbirth education, the initial latch and navigating through postpartum.
Yes, I’d be more than happy to provide references for you to reach out to during our free consultation.
What's Your STYLE?
I believe that pregnancy and birth are natural and instinctive processes. My care is influenced by evidence based information and traditional practices to help my clients have safe, memorable and fearless birth experiences.
My clients are mainly people of color. I tend to attract traditional married couples, queer couples and single mothers by choice looking for information, guidance and connection during their birth and postpartum journey.
I tend to gravitate to balanced, even-keeled personalities (like myself). Clients frequently tell me “I feel safe”, “I feel comfortable”, and “I feel calm” when I enter the birth space.
I proactively work with clients to practice physical coping skills and mindfulness techniques so clients are more aware of their inner strength and bodily capabilities. My support can range from a thoughtful text message to staying for days at a time with clients. My goal is to connect with clients and support them in ways they didn't know they needed.
I provide whole family care by intentionally including partners from education to hands-on support, from the time labor starts until families are holding their baby in their arms after birth.
I proactively work with medical providers to ensure my clients feel safe, informed, and supported throughout the entire process. This can include attending the “pre birth” meeting to ensure all parties are on the same page to assisting where needed. When your nurse is out of the room with their other patients, I’m right there by your side.
Honestly, this can vary greatly by person (and even birth). Many of my clients appreciate presence, words of affirmation, and physical touch such as massage and rhythmic breathing.
I have quite a few tricks for dealing with pain. While the body is undergoing a physical reaction a large part of how we perceive pain is mental and our experiences in life really have an impact on this. Through learning my clients (and trial and error), I help my clients cope (and overcome) the pain. Common tactics are reassurance, counterpressure, positioning, movement techniques, music therapy, breathwork, etc.
My job as a doula is to provide non-judgemental support which may include supporting clients who choose pain medication or an epidural. Ultimately, this is completely the choice of the client and I will provide information on the pros and cons of pain management strategies so they can make an informed decision.
I provide evidence based education and resources to help my clients avoid unnecessary interventions.
What's Your SERVICES and PACKAGES?
My services include access to comprehensive, evidence-based education about pregnancy and the birthing process, 3 prenatal visits, on-call support, support during labor and birth, 1 additional postpartum visit, and 6 weeks of ongoing support after birth.
All of my birth doula service packages include at least 3 prenatal meetings.
I make myself easily accessible to my clients via phone, text, email or Marco Polo.
Once I am called in for support, I stay throughout labor until after the birth.
I am on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I officially go on call at 37 weeks. I begin in person care in active labor or as soon as families are ready for extra support.
Typically 1-2 hours after birth or until clients are ready to rest.
I provide 1 postpartum session and 6 weeks of telecare support. These are included in the birth doula service package and no additional fee is assessed.
Yes, I offer a variety of postpartum doula services. Feel free to learn more here.
Yes, I offer placenta encapsulation, belly binding and postpartum ceremonies.
My birth doula packages start at $1497.
No, there are no additional fees for “routine” things. Depending on the package selected, you may pay for “a la carte'' services such as placenta encapsulation, belly binding or postpartum ceremonies.
This will vary depending on the situation. I will provide support for as long as I am permitted by the hospital, etc. Even if direct support can’t be provided to the client, I will continue to work with the birth partner and team.
What's Your CAPACITY?
I usually do not take clients who share the same due window.
I support 1-2 clients a month.
Yes. Although I do not use a backup doula often, all my clients get the chance to meet the backup doula at least once.
Why YOU?
Most people compliment me for being down to earth with a cool, calm and collected spirit.
I love that I get to sit at the threshold of birth, supporting families through some of the most life changing moments of their lives.
I take a wellness approach to birth, meeting each client where they are individually. I provide inclusive care, informed guidance and compassionate support. The best compliment ever: “I felt like she (Davon) was a homegirl from the neighborhood, even damn near a relative of ours.” The connection I build with my clients is like no other.