Doula: The logistics of choosing

I’ve been a doula for a couple of months now and I often find myself explaining what it is that I do. (I don’t mind at all, I love talking about what I do!) Once I tell them exactly what I do and why, the question most people ask is, “How do people choose you to be their doula?” People can get behind the ‘what and why’, but the logistics of deciding, is what confuses people. I want to go over what to do, what questions to ask, things to keep an eye out for, and things to think about when looking for a doula to help make the search go a little easier.

A lot of people think that you just call a doula and hire them. But I strongly encourage you to interview the doula BEFORE you hire them. You need to make sure you can work well with the person, and make sure there is a connection. The last thing you want is for someone to be in the delivery room whose personality gets on your nerves. Trust me, it happens more than you think. Not only do I suggest to interview your doula before you officially hire them but I encourage to interview multiple doulas. It might be more inconvenient but it’s so worth it when you find the doula that’s perfect for you.

During the interview process, I believe there is at least one question that you have to ask. Ask the doula their option on your birth plan. If you are planning to have interventions (like getting induced or getting an epidural), the last thing you want is a doula who doesn’t believe in them trying to change your mind or telling you how bad your birth plan is. You want to make sure that you are on the SAME wavelength from the beginning. Asking that question can give you a general idea on what they believe. This question can also be a good conversation starter on other hot topics so that you’ll have a good idea if this person will be a good fit by the end of the interview.

What a lot of people don’t realize after they hire a doula is they need to tell their doctor they hired a doula. Some doctors do have a preference on who and how many people can be in the delivery room. A doctor could have had a bad experience with a doula and decided that they won’t work with doulas anymore. It happens. So instead of surprising your doctor and showing up with a doula, give them a heads up. It will help you in the long run, to make sure that you have a great birthing experience.

Now that you know what questions to ask, what to look out for, and what to keep in mind when looking for a doula, you have a pretty good chance to find a doula that’s right for you. I hope this helps give you a better idea what to look for. If you have any more questions, I would love to hear and help point you in the right direction!