Birth Doulas
Serving Minneapolis & Saint Paul
Birth Doulas
Serving Minneapolis & Saint Paul
"Jillian's approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed and consent-aware.
She was invaluable for practical and physical support, but I was surprised and grateful to experience her emotional support and comfort during a new, exciting, and scary time.
My goal was to be there for my wife, so that she felt safe and supported. Jillian created that feeling for me."
-Meagan
Your Birth Story Matters.
Research is clear: birth stories stick with us. You deserve one where you're held and supported fully, so that you can look back with power, love, and awe.
Whether your baby is born in the operating room or your bedroom, with the right support, it's possible to develop a strengthened belief in yourself and a deeper reverence for your body, heart, and mind (yes, even when curveballs are thrown your way!)
I Believe...
Families are encouraged by comprehensive, creative, and compassionate support.
Any way you choose to bring your baby into this world is amazing.
Black Lives Matter, queer families are beautiful, and all bodies are good bodies.
Birth stories matter.
You are wildly capable.
Birth Doula Services
Package & Pricing
Phone, text, and email access to Jillian throughout pregnancy and up to 3 months postpartum
A curated, evidence-based library of resources and local referrals
Birth plan templates and examples
Prenatal meeting: All About Options
Prenatal meeting: Hands-On Comfort Measures
On-call availability beginning when you sign your contract
Continuous labor support
First moment pictures or video when your baby is born
First latch/early feeding support for 2-3 hours after your baby is born
Postpartum visit: Birth Story Debrief
$1800
Jillian's approach is evidence-based, trauma-informed and consent-aware. As the non-pregnant partner, I wasn't sure what to expect, but from the very beginning, Jillian helped me feel at ease and involved every step of the way.
As much as she was valuable for practical and physical support, I was surprised and grateful to experience her emotional support and comfort during a new, exciting, and scary time. My goal was to be there for my wife, so that she felt safe and supported -- Jillian created that feeling for me.
-Meagan
"One of my top requests was always to stay at home until it was truly the appropriate time to head to the hospital... Jillian did an amazing job at reading me and timing things just right!
We ended up with a healthy baby girl born via water birth!"
-Jess
Frequently Asked Questions
How many doulas are there at MSP Doulas?
Jillian Carpenter is the head doula at MSP Doulas. You will work with her as your primary doula, and in most circumstances, she will be the one to attend your birth.
If Jillian is sick, has a family emergency, or is out of town, she has a small, strong network of doulas she trusts to take her place. If you would like, you have the opportunity to meet your secondary doula during your pregnancy.
Do you go to my birth location?
We support all hospitals, birth centers, and homes in the 7 county Twin Cities Metro area, as well as Northfield Hospital and Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater.
When are you on call for my birth?
We are on call for you beginning the moment you sign your contract. We understand that babies come when they come, and we will ensure a doula is available to support your birth in almost any circumstance.
Midwife? Doula? What's the difference?
A midwife is your medical care provider. Their primary job is to oversee all clinical aspects of your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Midwives can provide medical care in a home, birth center, or hospital setting. In low-risk births, they do everything an OBGYN would typically do, including overseeing induction births and births where the patient chooses to have an epidural - just with a more holistic focus. In a birth center or hospital, midwives may manage many patients at one time.
A doula provides positional & practical support, emotional processing and reassurance, and helps you advocate for yourself within the medical setting. Think of a doula as your coach through labor, keeping you calm and in the zone. We are the only members of your birth team who are 100% focused on you and your wellbeing (even homebirth midwives have a second focus - your baby!).
Doulas do not complete any clinical tasks, such as taking your blood pressure, checking your cervix, or making medical recommendations. We can, however, help you access evidence based information and make recommendations on how to approach conversations with your medical care provider.
Will you bill my insurance?
While we are not currently in-network with any insurance providers, we are more than happy to do what we can to help you seek reimbursement.
We do accept HSA/FSA cards or we can provide you with an itemized receipt.
If your employer offers reimbursement for doula services as a separate benefit from insurance (such as through Carrot or Maven), we usually do meet requirements for reimbursement. We're happy to fill out any necessary paperwork for approval.
What if I'm induced?
About 40% of people are induced. For better or worse, it's incredibly common these days, and we are equipped to support you through an induction.
Because inductions can sometimes take up to 72 hours, we'll develop a custom plan to make sure you have in person support when you need it most. Often, we come and go from the hospital multiple times throughout an induction, and we are always available for virtual support in between.
What if I have a C-section?
Most Twin Cities hospitals allow doulas in the OR during cesarean births.
Whether planned, unplanned, or emergency, cesarean births require your medical team to focus that much more on their clinical tasks (which is, of course, what we want them to do!)
Having a doula present, whose job is to provide emotional reassurance and step-by-step information on what to expect is invaluable.
C-sections also tend to be very routine for OBGYNs and nurses, and having a doula there to help advocate for family-focused options can make a big impact in your perception and satisfaction.
Finally, doulas in the OR and recovery room can help encourage breast/chestfeeding, if it's a priority for you. For a variety of reasons, nursing can be more difficult after a cesarean (although far from impossible!), and there are key things we can do in those first hours to increase success.
Do you offer discounts or payment plans?
We never want cost to be a barrier for doula services, and if it feels unattainable, we encourage you to reach out. If you desire a doula at your birth, there are many creative ways to make it happen, and we're more than happy to help you navigate the challenge. At a minimum, we will absolutely work with you to determine a payment plan that works for your family.
© MSP Doulas - All Rights Reserved - Terms & Conditions - Site by Jillian Carpenter - Photos by Gather Birth Cooperative, the Divine Group, and Lem and June