Hiring a doula is HUGE. (Cue more pressure during an already mentally chaotic time…) But it’s also kind of simple. You know what kind of bedside manners appeal to you. Do you want someone quiet, reserved, but educated and informative? Maybe you want a doula who doula who practices deep breaths while providing constant touch for three hours straight. It’s important that you mesh with your doula and your doula meshes with you.

There is a doula for everyone! You want to find the one who makes you feel comfortable, seen, and understood. I’ve created a list of questions that may be helpful for you to best find the doula that fits perfectly into your birth team.

Questions To Ask A Doula In An Interview

Why did you decide to become a doula?

What is your philosophy about birth?

What are your personal experiences with birth? Did you hire a doula?

Have you had any training or certification to become a doula?

How many births have you attended?

Have you ever missed a birth?

With your style doula work, how do you most often support the laboring person?

How do you most often support the birth partner?

What is your interaction like with my care providers?

When do you start your “On Call”?

How do I best contact you when I think I’m in labor?

When do you arrive at my birth? And how long do you stay?

What are your fees and what is included with them?

What happens if I end up having an unplanned cesarean?

Do you have experience at my birthing location? With my care provider?

Do we get together again during my pregnancy? How about after we are home with the baby?

Do you provide any other services? Ie… birth photography, belly casting, Rebozo, Tens Unit, etc.

Do you have a list of tools you suggest for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum?

Do you have a list of resources available? Ie… placenta encapsulation, lactation, acupressure, etc.

How many clients are due around my due date?

Do you have a back up doula? Who is it? Do you feel you have a similar style?

Do you have any references that I may reach out to?

Questions To Ask Yourself

Do you feel heard?

Do you think they truly listened and valued you and your time?

Would you enjoy spending time with this person outside of the birthing environment?

Would your birth partner enjoy being around this person for a long period of time?

Do they seem like they may impress their personal beliefs and birth philosophies onto you?

Did they really take in your views and thoughts?

Did she seem experienced and knowledgeable about the birthing process?

Did her views align with your views?

How was communication before the interview? Does she seem reliable?

Could you be friends with this person?