Interviewing your Doula

Pregnant? Trying to conceive? Feeling overwhelmed? There is a lot of information to absorb when you first decide that you want to bring a baby into this world. A doula can help! Check out my post on what a doula is and why to choose a doula.

Once you've decided that you want a doula, you're going to start looking around. A doula is an investment and you want to make sure that you have chosen the right doula for your family. A doula is a support person and all doulas have their own specialties and ideal birth clients. You want to make sure that you find someone who aligns with your own personal needs and philosophies around pregnancy, labour and delivery and postpartum.

So, you look online, and one pops out at you. Perhaps you saw an ad at your health care provider's office. You may have even been referred to by a friend. Just because it works for someone else or you see them where you go, doesn't mean it's the right fit.

Figuring out the right fit will happen when you meet. Doulas typically offer a no charge consultation. Use this time to interview your potential hire and make sure you've got the right match. This may be the first doula you interview or the fifth. Only you know what feels right.

Here are some questions to ask during your interview to help you determine if this match is the one for you:

1. What training have you had? This question will help you find insight into what specialties that this doula may have. There are online courses, weekend courses, and some self-taught doulas without any formal training. You need to decide what amount of training you feel comfortable with and what training/specialties you need your doula to have.

2. What services do you provide? Are you planning on breastfeeding and need extra support to make sure that you've got the hang of it? Are you looking for a night nurse so that you can sleep through the night and someone else can help with baby?

3. What are your fees? What do your fees include? Some doulas will have this posted on their websites while others will not. Check around to multiple doulas in your area. It will give you an idea of what you are looking at for average fees.

4. Are you available for my due date? Doulas typically only book a couple births per month. As due dates aren't exact, unless you have a scheduled c-section, you will typically book the week around your due date to ensure availability. Make sure to check the contracts details around due dates, precipitous births and other factors that may affect the doulas ability to be at your birth and how that is handled.

5. What made you decide to become a doula? This question is one that you can ask or choose to leave out. Each doula has their own personal reasons and hearing a reason may resonate with you.

6. What is your philosophy regarding childbirth? This is a must-ask question! Knowing that the doula is on the same page as you or has the ability to be unbiased is going to make you feel that much more at ease.

7. Do you attend all hospital births? Home Births? Are there any birth centers you don't go to? An important question as you don't want to hire someone who won't be able or is unwilling to attend where you are choosing to give birth.

8. Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions? Most doulas will stay 90 minutes post birth to help with initial breastfeeding, answering questions about things that occurred during labour, etc. If this is something that you want, make sure it is offered!

9. Do you have a backup doula? Can I meet them ahead of time? How did you choose your backup doula? In the event that your doula is unavailable, do they have someone who can come in their place? Do you feel comfortable not meeting that person prior to their birth? You need to make sure you are comfortable with the choices you are making.

It can all seem like a lot but making sure that you have chosen the right person for your pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum can make all the difference.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Jessica

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