Frequently Asked Questions

In birth, I support and empower mama to connect with her instincts to actualize the possibilities of a mindful, intuitive birthing experience. 

During postpartum, I support mama and her family as they adapt after delivery with breastfeeding and caring for their new babe in those early weeks and beyond as necessary. If Haitian Postpartum Care is selected, mama will receive traditional care to restore wellness after delivery.

Doulas and Midwives go together like tacos and tequila! Though, midwives are medical professionals who have clinical knowledge and certifications to care for pregnant women and deliver their babies. 

Doulas are support professionals who focus on physical, emotional, (spiritual, in my practice) and informational support.

I'm pulling up prepared to be awake throughout the duration of my stay however, I'd only snooze whenever mama and baby are sleeping. Accommodations are required for booking overnight services. This can be as simple as a clean space for me to rest and a safe space for your babe. 

I recommend organically meeting with and interviewing multiple doulas in your second trimester and securing one by the start of your third trimester. You want to hire a doula that fits your style of communication and personality. Your doula should feel like a solid friend or sister, follow your heart and go with your gut. The earlier, the better because the trust built between mama and doula is secure way before pregnancy becomes birth, though you can still hire at 36+ weeks if you're that last minute lady.

Its hella understandable that your partners initial reaction might be skepticism when they learn you are interested in having a Doula. Partners may not peep the toll giving birth takes on you as a mama. They may also not even realize the birth support team you are building which serves you as a family. 

Have your partner read the information found on the site and reach out with any questions or concerns. My work speaks for itself so there won't be any need for 'convincing', however I'm happy to introduce myself, what I do, how I do it, and why I'm so damn passionate about it - the rest is up to them.

I once would stop the world to answer these calls and was continuously being taken advantage of and depleted of energy and information, I wasn't able to be at my best for my clients or my family. Our consultation is a great way to meet and interview each other to find out if we're aligned and have your questions answered to then move forward with the process if you so decide.

I am bonafide; I was DONA trained with the illustrious Rae Davies, am continuing my education on my own, and have chosen not to be certified at this time, although I will continue to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of DONA. It's also not mandatory to certify as a doula to practice in the state of Florida so I'm going to let my ancestors guide me with my gift of healing.

as a Birth and/or Postpartum doula, I cannot, do NOT, and will NOT:

• advocate for you

• relay your desires to medical staff  

• pressure mama or make decisions for them (medical or otherwise)  

• give medical advice or diagnose conditions  

• perform clinical tasks (vaginal exams, blood pressure or fetal monitoring)  

• ‘protect’ you from undesirable procedures 

• take over the role of your partner  

• catch the baby  

• judge you, your experience, or decisions  

• become your nanny, maid, or insta-dasher

I most often attend births on the Treasure Coast at the Cleveland Clinic Tradition, Saint Lucie Medical, Lawnwood, and homebirths (with a midwife in attendance). If the birthing location is 60+ minutes outside of Port Saint Lucie and surrounding areas, an in-depth travel consultation is required, and an additional fee will apply for accomodations as you are outside of Marabou Mama’s driving range. Lodging for the duration of my stay would be your responsibility at your own separate expense from the custom travel package (which will further be discussed during the consult). 

I'm also down to get 'flew'd out' to support you, dependent upon availability. :) 

All major credit cards, cash, Zelle, and CashApp are the most common and accepted forms of payment for my services. I no longer accept PayPal for payments. I'm willing to barter services or asses other proposed forms of payment for packages at signing so long as the barter is comparable.  

I do not, doula services aren't generally covered by insurance. In my experience, it is also a headache to navigate applying for the time. Insurances and Medicaid often lowball doula's and pay us a fraction of the prices we've worked hard to grow our business and charge for.

As a form of birth support, the cost of doulas may be tax-deductible as a medical expense if you itemize deductions. Link up with your tax advisor to see whether you can deduct the costs of hiring a doula. That would be dope if you can swing it! :) Gon' and write me OFF, honey!

Being a doula requires a very high level of personal sacrifice. Marabou Mama fees cover my knowledge, skills, experience, on-call availability (cancelling personal engagements), tailored research and responding to individual texts/calls/e-mails, a commitment to being available two weeks before and two weeks after your estimated due date, and childcare for my family so that I can give you my undivided attention while serving you. 

On the back end, I've got self-employed bookkeeping, advertising, cell phone/internet service, office supplies, travel expenses, liability insurance, membership fees, self-employment taxes, labor support tools, lending library books, continuing education, and so much more. I take my supportive role with parents seriously and understand that hiring a doula can be expensive for an abundant mama. Fees vary like crazy, often falling between $700 and $3500. 

After research and experience, I've crafted my packages over time to reflect the offerings my clients have found most useful at an affordable rate. I offer a few different support package options to address various needs in the first weeks after welcoming a new baby and several a la carte services to assist with building custom packages.

Marabou Mama will be increasing prices effective January 1, 2024 after certifications and inflation due to demand for products and services.

The answer relies heavily on YOUR communication and the circumstances at that magical time. Typically, I meet with clients at their home and we labor together before transporting (if not a homebirth). If labor is moving swiftly and you head to out before I can arrive at your crib, I will meet you at your birthing location, LACED and EFFACED! :)

My birth experience has no effect on your birth or how I work with and alongside you. Each birth is distinctive and my duty is to focus on your needs and experience, not my own. I educate and support YOU boo, its all about YOU and whatever tf YOU choose.

Steaming helps to release stagnant matter both physically and emotionally; it is not 'one size fits all'.  Most women end their session feeling calmed, comforted, and de-stressed. Some women experience discharge or light spotting for a day or two following their service. 

If you have a specific medical condition or specific symptoms, sacral steaming may be contraindicated. You may find your next period to be much lighter and more pleasant than before, others may require multiple sessions to experience all of the benefits. I've also heard  of some women (none of my personal clients) experiencing a heavier, darker, thicker menstrual cycle the first period following their steam. 

Marabou Mama does in fact ship, the fee depends on the weight of your selections. I typically make a USPS drop on Tuesday or Friday afternoons dependent upon my order load.