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So we can offer you the best unwavering support, personalized attention, and evidence-based information that you can count on.
All in all, our doula team has the most professional training, specialties, certifications, care provider relationships and widest, vetted referral network in the Twin Cities metro area.
Unlike other doula service providers, we have the backing of our entire network of birth educators, prenatal movement specialists, and perinatal bodywork therapists. And a rich, supportive community of like-minded families available for you to connect with.
You will meet with your doula around 34 and 36 weeks to discuss your pregnancy, get in sync on your birthing goals, release fears, talk through specifics and practice movements together.
Meet your dedicated backup doula who will be standing at the ready in case your primary doula is indisposed during labor and birth.
To take advantage of all Blooma has to offer, doula families receive 15% off select services.
In Minnesota, doulas are not considered medical providers, cannot legally provide diagnostic/procedural codes, and therefore, are not considered “in network” with any insurance companies. Blooma cannot bill insurance; however, we can offer itemized receipts to clients for attempts of reimbursement.
We recommend calling your provider and getting pre-authorization (and any specific requirements and limits) from your insurance programs ahead of signing the contract, since payment is made at the time of signing the contract and reimbursement is usually pursued after the dates of service are completed.
Some clients have had success purchasing doula services, Childbirth Education classes and Prenatal massage with their HSA/FSA. We do not work directly with insurance companies, but we are always more than happy to try running these cards. If cards do not process or if you pay out of pocket and are filing for reimbursement with your insurance company, we can provide detailed information and itemized receipts to present.
Blooma’s itemized receipts include dates of service, Blooma’s EIN and your Doula’s name. If your program requires a Certified Doula, please let us know before signing a contract, so that we may pair you with the right doula team for you. Doulas are not healthcare professionals and therefore cannot include CPT or ICD-10 codes on receipts.
If you are interested in financial assistance, please fill out our application.
And they’ll understand you, your family, and your unique preferences and desires. As you approach your guess date, keep your surprises to a minimum and focus on your journey instead – with a backup doula you know.
We always say these conversations could last hours. So much ground to cover, and we’re birth nerds! For this initial ~30 minute meet and greet via Zoom, the goal is to ensure you come away with a clear sense for who we are as doulas and what we offer so you can determine whether we’re a fit for your family.
Your doula will introduce themself and Blooma, then turn it over to you to share more about your pregnancy journey & wishes for your doula and/or birth. We can then answer any questions you have and go over next steps. Following the call, we send you our contract to look over.
No need to formally prepare anything in advance. Although many folks find reading this FAQ helps!
The first suggestion is having them join the consultation to meet us and get a clearer picture of our role (hint: our goal is to make them look good!). If some info ahead of time would be helpful, you could share:
The last thing we’re there to do is take over. The partner/support person – the expert in the birthing person – plays the critical role of connection and building oxytocin. The doula – the expert in birth – offers informational, physical and emotional support in many ways.
Evidence supports that doula care leads to better outcomes. See this article here and highlights below:
The sooner you hire a birth doula the better, but it’s never too late. We’ve been hired at 8 weeks, and we’ve been hired at 38 weeks! We typically are fully booked two to three months in advance, and booking earlier on in the pregnancy allows more time to get to know each other (to support you better), share ideas/resources/love, help you articulate your birth intentions/goals, make sure you’re with a care provider that aligns with those goals, etc.
Yes! See evidence above for doula care : ). Doulas and midwives have different, complementary responsibilities and scopes of practice.
Doulas are trained support professionals who help birthers and support people during pregnancy, birthing time and postpartum with informational, physical and emotional care (see more detail below). Doulas do not have a medical scope of practice. We are available to you 24/7 in pregnancy and provide continuity of care during birth—meaning we are with you continuously from the onset of active labor until 1-2 hours postpartum.
Midwives are trained health professionals who help birthers during pregnancy, birthing time and postpartum with medical care (e.g., monitoring the health of the birther and baby, catching the baby, newborn procedures, etc.).
No. Doulas do not have a medical scope of practice, so a professional care provider – a family practice doctor, an OB or a midwife – needs to be present for the birth.
In Minnesota, doulas are not considered medical providers, cannot legally provide diagnostic/procedural codes, and therefore, are not considered “in network” with any insurance companies. Blooma cannot bill insurance; however, we can offer itemized receipts to clients for attempts of reimbursement.
We recommend calling and getting pre-authorization (and any specific requirements and limits) from your insurance programs ahead of signing the contract, since payment is made at the time of signing the contract and reimbursement is usually pursued after the dates of service are completed.
Some clients have had success purchasing doula services, Childbirth Education classes and Prenatal massage with their HSA/FSA. We do not work directly with insurance companies, but we are always more than happy to try running these cards. If cards do not process or if you pay out of pocket and are filing for reimbursement with your insurance company, we can provide detailed information and itemized receipts to present.
Blooma’s itemized receipts include dates of service, Blooma’s EIN and your Doula’s name. If your program requires a Certified Doula, please let us know before signing a contract, so that we may pair you with the right doula team for you. Doulas are not healthcare professionals and therefore cannot include CPT nor ICD-10 codes on receipts.
If you are interested in financial assistance, please fill out our application here.
We love this question! Blooma was created to provide expecting families with as many wonderful resources and services in one place as possible:
Absolutely, yes. We have supported many VBAC clients. We have recommendations spanning mind (e.g., classes/workshops), spirit (e.g., mindfulness, hypnosis), body (e.g., bodywork, prenatal yoga, Spinning Babies) and community (e.g., ICAN), in addition to preparation leading up to your desired birth and in person, tailored support.
We support every type of birth. As your doula, we have no judgment or agenda. Our role is to offer evidence-based information and experience to ensure you know what your choices are, that you know your autonomy and agency, that you understand informed consent.
After your contract is signed, we’re available to you 24/7. We’re here to help you make sure you are working with the right care provider that aligns with your goals, to help you select childbirth education, that you find the best ways to nurture mind/body/spirit in pregnancy, etc. Preferred channel of communication is up to you. We find email best for scheduling and resource sharing, and the text group best for updates after appointments or when birthing time begins. If active labor begins overnight, call if you don’t get a text reply after 5 minutes.
Our first visit is generally around 34-35 weeks (after childbirth education is complete). We use this time to check in, answer questions, discuss wishes, etc. At the second visit (around 36-37 weeks) we check in, go over birthing time, discuss postpartum, etc.
We typically join in active labor, either at the home or birthing location. We are that added layer of support after the birther and support person (if applicable). We stay with you until 1-2+ hours postpartum, as soon as you’re settled in and everyone has a food plan (including babe!).
We’ll then check in via text over the next few days. Within the first week to 10 days, we’ll arrange a time to swing by for a 1-2 hour postpartum visit—to see how you’re doing, answer questions within our scope, provide resources/referrals for support beyond our scope, and hear/process your birth story (if you wish).
Beyond the 1-2 hour postpartum visit described above, we offer postpartum doula care you can book by the hour. Some of our birth doulas also offer limited postpartum doula hours to birth clients, and we also have two dedicated, full-time postpartum doulas. To learn more and set up a consultation, visit this page.
Absolutely! Doula care fills gaps in maternity care, supported by evidence and client testimony showing that doulas lead to better client outcomes. See some of the impressive outcomes data on our all doula services page.
Our service area includes the entire Minneapolis & Saint Paul metro area. A $120 travel fee is added for clients farther than 15 miles from our studio location in South Minneapolis. If you’re unsure if we can support you, please ask about it in your consultation, send us a message or call for confirmation.
🚨 Looking for a doula? We are booked through Oct ’24 – plan ahead to get the support you need!
