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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Village to Village Doulas (Serving King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, WA)

  • What is a Doula?
    A doula is a trained professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Unlike medical providers, doulas focus on personalized, non-clinical care to help you feel confident and supported. At Village to Village Doulas, we match you with a doula tailored to your unique needs, creating a dedicated team for your well-being and your family’s success.
  • Where do you serve?
    We serve families across: King County: Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Shoreline Snohomish County: Everett, Bothell, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Mukilteo Pierce County: Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, University Place, Gig Harbor We are committed to supporting families in these areas and beyond. If you live in a surrounding area, feel free to reach out to see how we can assist you! If you live outside these areas, reach out - we may still be able to assist!
  • How much do doula services cost?
    Our rates: Birth Doula Services: Starting at $3,000 Postpartum Doula Services: Starting at $65/hour Lactation Counseling: $145 (in-person), $90 (virtual) Sleep Coaching (4 months+): $580
  • How do you match us with the right doula?
    At Village to Village Doulas, we understand that finding the right doula is crucial. We begin by scheduling a consultation to understand your needs, preferences, and any specific requirements. From there, we carefully match you with a birth doula or postpartum doula who fits your family’s location, schedule, and personality. To ensure you're comfortable, we offer a 20-minute meet-and-greet with your doula before confirming your booking.
  • Do you provide services for cesarean births?
    Yes, we absolutely provide support for cesarean births! Our doulas are trained to support families through all types of birth experiences, including planned and emergency cesareans. We offer emotional, physical, and informational support both during the birth and in the postpartum period to help ensure a positive experience. Our goal is to advocate for your preferences, help you feel informed, and provide comfort every step of the way.
  • What shifts do postpartum doulas work?
    Day Shifts: 4–8 hours, focusing on feeding, newborn care, light household tasks, and emotional support. Overnight Shifts: 8–10 hours (starting at 10 PM), focused on nighttime feeding, newborn care, and helping families rest.
  • How long does postpartum support typically last?
    Support can last 4 weeks to 4 months, depending on your needs. A minimum of 12 hours per week is required to ensure consistent care.
  • When should I hire a doula?
    It’s always a good idea to book your doula as soon as possible! Village to Village Doulas recommends securing your birth doula services in King County, Pierce County, or Snohomish County as early as your first trimester. Early booking ensures you’ll have the doula that’s the best fit for your needs and gives you ample time to plan your birth experience. Postpartum doula services should also be booked at least a few weeks in advance, especially during busy times.
  • Do you provide backup support if our doula is unavailable?
    Yes, we prioritize continuous support for our families. For birth doulas, we assign a backup doula to ensure you're covered if your primary doula is unavailable. For postpartum doulas, while we strive to provide backup support, availability depends on the situation. Rest assured, our large team of doulas ensures you’re in good hands across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
  • What forms of payment do you accept?
    We accept a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), ACH transfers, and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). Please note, a 3% processing fee applies to credit/debit card payments.
  • Do postpartum doulas accept insurance?
    While we don't directly bill insurance, we provide itemized receipts that you can use to seek reimbursement from programs like Carrot. Many families in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties successfully use these to get some or all of their doula services covered.
  • Are doulas covered by Medicaid in Washington State?
    Yes, Medicaid in Washington State covers birth doula services for eligible families! While Village to Village Doulas is not currently billing Medicaid directly, we are actively working on becoming a Medicaid-approved provider. We look forward to offering this option soon to make our services even more accessible. In the meantime, if you’re interested in doula care and have questions about coverage, please reach out to us - we’re happy to help guide you through your options!
  • What is a typical retainer for doula care?
    At Village to Village Doulas, our retainer varies based on the amount of support: Postpartum Doula Services: We require a 50% retainer to secure your postpartum care. This amount is applied toward your total package cost and ensures that your doula is available when you need them. Birth Doula Services: For birth support, payment is required in full at the time of booking. This ensures we can dedicate a doula to your care and provide uninterrupted support throughout your pregnancy and labor.
  • Do I have to commit to a package, or can I schedule week by week?
    We work through packages rather than week-to-week scheduling. This ensures consistency and allows us to prioritize your care and availability over the course of your package. You'll decide how many shifts or hours per week you'd like, and we'll schedule accordingly to meet your needs.
  • How does scheduling work with a package?
    When you purchase a package, we’ll help you plan your shifts in advance based on the number of shifts per week included in the package. This ensures your doula is available when you need them most and allows us to create a routine that works for your family.
  • How flexible is the scheduling within a package?
    We’re happy to work with you to create a schedule that fits your lifestyle and needs. Whether you need daytime, nighttime, or a mix of both, we’ll plan shifts to ensure you receive the support you’re looking for.
  • Can I book additional shifts or hours if needed?
    Absolutely! If you need more support than your current package provides, we can add shifts to ensure your needs are fully met.
  • What qualifications should doulas have?
    At Village to Village Doulas, we place a high value on hands-on experience alongside certifications. While formal training and certification are important, we believe real-world experience is the foundation of exceptional doula care. Here’s how we balance the two in our qualifications: Qualifications & Training: 1. Hands-On Experience Birth Doulas: Must have attended at least 10 births as a primary or shadow doula, demonstrating the ability to support families through diverse birth scenarios. Postpartum Doulas: A minimum of 2 years or 10 families of hands-on postpartum support experience is required, ensuring proficiency in newborn care, lactation support, and understanding family dynamics. 2. Certification (Preferred but Not Required) Certification from a reputable doula organization (e.g., DONA, CAPPA, ProDoula, NAPS) is encouraged but not mandatory. We prioritize applicants who have proven their skills in the field over those who simply hold a certification without practical experience. 3. CPR & First Aid Certification Current infant and adult CPR and First Aid certification is non-negotiable to ensure the safety of families. 4. Lactation Knowledge Foundational knowledge of lactation support is required, with preference given to those who have hands-on experience assisting with feeding challenges.
  • What are the vaccination requirements for doulas at Village to Village Doulas?
    We require all doulas to meet the following health and safety standards to protect families: COVID-19 Vaccination (including boosters as per CDC guidelines). TDAP Vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis). Annual Flu Shot during flu season. MMR Vaccine or proof of immunity. Negative Tuberculosis (TB) Test within the past 12 months. Hepatitis B Vaccination or proof of immunity (preferred).
  • What screening process do your doulas go through?
    Background Check: A comprehensive check, including criminal records, sex offender registry, and county-level screenings. Reference Verification: Three professional references and focused on assessing prior experience in doula work or other similar professions. Interview: In-depth interviews to evaluate communication, emotional intelligence, and alignment with our mission.
  • What skills and qualifications do your doulas bring to families?
    Proven Expertise in Emotional Support: Ability to build rapport and provide compassionate, nonjudgmental care to families. Cultural Sensitivity: Hands-on experience supporting families with diverse cultural practices and parenting styles. Trauma-Informed Care: Practical application of trauma-informed practices in prior doula work.
  • What additional requirements do you have for your doulas?
    Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development, with at least one hands-on workshop or course annually. Liability Insurance: Proof of coverage is required. Flexible Availability: I ensure our doulas have the flexibility to meet the needs of families while maintaining reliability for on-call shifts, understanding that our work requires adaptability without compromising consistency. By focusing on on-the-job experience, we ensure our doulas bring practical knowledge, adaptability, and confidence into every family’s home. We believe it’s this experience, combined with a compassionate approach, that sets our team apart.

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We serve the Core Cities in the Puget Sound Region |Seattle |Tacoma|Kent |Bellevue |Everett &

Surrounding Areas

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