Discover the Secret to Getting Private Treatment While Going Public
Most private coverage policies only provide coverage for a birth attended by an obstetrician if you have maintained the premium fee for at least a year. While this may work in your favor if you have planned your pregnancy ahead of time and selected your doctor, it's important to keep in mind that some fees may not be fully covered and can result in unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
But what can you do if you want to choose your own care but don't have the necessary coverage? The answer lies below.
Is it possible to pick who's with you during pregnancy and birth without the extra cost?
Have you ever heard of a doula?
She also goes by the name birth companion, birth worker or support person.
In most cases she is female and has supported 10,20,30…100+ women to birth in multiple settings. She travels for homebirths, to your local public hospital or even to the other side of the city because that’s where you’re are birthing.
She is
extremely knowledgeable when it comes to a range of pregnancy complications and
can put you at ease with just a phone call to explain, “that’s totally normal!”
She isn’t a doctor and she’s not a midwife. Your doula stays within the bounds
of helping you access all your options when it comes to your pregnancy care and
choices, while helping you research, discuss and then chat with your
caregiver’s who will also be part of your birth team.
She is the
person that can answer those questions you think are silly (but are not), that
you wouldn’t feel comfortable calling the birth suite about. Often she includes
some form of childbirth education (like BirthTools™) that aims to give you every
possible choice when it comes to birthing and trusting your bodies ability to
have a baby without much fuss.
This
integral part of your birth team joins you at home when you go into labour,
while the hospital asks you to stay home because it’s “too early.” She will use
her wisdom of birth to help you manage your pain and when ready, transfer to
your chosen place of birth with you.
She holds you in the birth space,
alongside your partner, dad or maybe even your mother. She is friendly with all
the staff and whispers in your ear when she feels you’re choices may be veering
away from what your priorities may have been.
Above all, your doula supports you emotionally and physically to birth. She has no shifts, no timed lunch breaks (though she may need a coffee now and then). She helps you transition your birth plan (if needed) to change and is there to carry your partner and fill them with confidence to help him support you.
There are
so many doula’s to choose from and they are simply a small google away. These
special women can sometimes specialize in certain types of births to fill you
with that extra confidence. Births like VBAC, multiples or high risk, even
caesareans and epidurals! The best part is that you get to choose her and her
costs are quite minimal. Usually there is a payment plan option and you get to
start utilizing her straight away. It’s never too late to engage her (even if
you’re about to reach you due date) and she is there to provide postpartum care
after your baby is born.
After all, she knows that your birth is only the
beginning of your parenthood journey.
So, if
you’re reading this and can’t afford an OB or even if you have one already,
there is no downside to engaging a doula. Who wouldn’t want someone
knowledgeable, flexible and experienced in birth of all sorts by their side?
Are you still sitting on the fence or
perhaps even the
smaller fee of a doula is out of your reach?
BirthTools™ can offer you the next best thing
Childbirth
Education created by a doula, designed for women who don’t have one.
Get all
the tips and tricks, the inside know-how and bucket loads of podcast
recommendations
as well as downloadable guides for a fraction of the cost.
The first unit is FREE
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