Meet Doulas of Raleigh - Why Our Agency Model is so Special
Why would new and expecting families choose an agency model when finding a doula? This is a question that we have been asked a lot over the nine years that Doulas of Raleigh has been serving the Triangle area. We know that finding the right doula is a big decision and when we are chosen to support new parents it’s an honor that we do not take lightly. So if you’re new here or you stumbled across this page while learning more about doula agencies, we’d love to take this opportunity to introduce you to Doulas of Raleigh and why our agency model is so special.
DEDICATED OWNERS
Heather Clements and Kelly Rutan came together in 2016 with a vision for a full-service, professional doula agency to serve Triangle area families and officially launched Doulas of Raleigh in February 2017. Both Heather and Kelly have been doulas themselves for over a decade, dedicating their lives to improving birth and postpartum for the families they work with directly and indirectly and mentoring the next generation of doulas that work with them at Doulas of Raleigh.
Today, Heather and Kelly work full time running the agency. It’s our job to connect with every potential client and get to know their goals and preferences, match those families with the perfect doula for them, and then work behind the scenes to make sure that our agency clients have the support they need every step of the way. Having owners that are focused entirely on the satisfaction of our families - and not working elsewhere - really makes a difference.
HIGH STANDARDS
In the almost decade that Doulas of Raleigh has been serving area families, we have put in place the highest standards of practice when it comes to professional doula care. These high standards begin with vetting the doulas that work with Doulas of Raleigh to provide services. Every doula on our team has been trained through a reputable and established doula training and certifying organization. (Did we mention that Kelly is also the Director of Education at ProDoula, the leading edge certification organization for doulas today, so she knows a thing or two about quality doula training programs.) All of our doulas are either certified or working to complete their certification, a level of accountability that we take seriously. The doulas on our team all carry their own professional liability insurance, are up to date on their CPR/First Aid certification, and undergo a background check before working with families.
It’s also imperative for Heather and Kelly that every Doulas of Raleigh doula share their commitment to true professional, nonjudgmental support. Our agency was founded on the belief that every family deserves the highest level of care, no matter what decisions they make around birth or parenting. As a doula, it’s never our job to speak for you or tell you what to do. Instead our role is all about support - supporting you as you discover what is right for you, meeting you where you’re at, and just being there as you navigate these big life choices. This is the core of Doulas of Raleigh and every doula on our team shares these values.
UNMATCHED LEVEL OF SUPPORT
Our dedication to professional doula care means that the support you receive at Doulas of Raleigh is unmatched. From the start, Heather and Kelly get to know your goals and what is most important to you and we match you with the right doulas for your needs. But our service doesn’t stop there. It’s our job to continue checking in and make sure that our clients are getting the best possible experience every step of the way.
For labor doula clients, we always make sure that your team of shared-call doulas are a good fit. We check in regularly to see how the relationship with your doulas is developing. We’re there to provide additional resources that you might need during your pregnancy - that could be joining us at one of our Childbirth Education or Newborn Care classes or connecting you with a trusted provider from our vetted referral network. And with our agency model, you can rest easy knowing that there is ALWAYS a doula on call for your birth. As the owners, we work behind the scenes to make sure that no matter what - because sometimes life happens - one of our trusted labor doulas is on call for you.
For postpartum doula clients, ensuring the satisfaction with your doulas is always our top goal. It’s why Heather and Kelly stay connected with our families and continue to check in each week once your baby is here and care is underway. If our clients need more support than originally planned, we have a great team of doulas ready to step in. Our team also means that in those rare life emergencies when a doula gets pulled away, we have a solid backup team in place for our clients. We never want our families to go without the support they need.
So when it comes to finding a doula, here at Doulas of Raleigh you are going to find two veteran doulas that have built an agency dedicated to providing the highest level of care and support to your family. We take all of the guesswork out of how to find and vet a doula - all you have to do is just meet with your team and let us know if it’s a match. And once you begin working with your doulas, you can rest assured that throughout this entire process you will receive the level of care and support you need. If there’s ever a moment along the way when you don’t, all you have to do is reach out to Heather and Kelly. We’re always here and that’s the Doulas of Raleigh difference.