How Do I Know Which Doula Is Right for Me?
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential doulas to two or three, you may be wondering “How in the world am I supposed to decide from here?” Most doulas offer a complimentary consultation to see if you’re all a good fit, and I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer!
While I will share a list of questions to ask potential doulas, I strongly believe that your intuition will be most important in making your decision.
Perhaps one doula you interview went to a fancy college, or another has attended hundreds of births — and while both of these things are valuable things to note, if neither of these doulas feels right to you, then keep on searching!
It’s a great idea to come to these consultations a little bit prepared and a helpful way to do this is to arrive with a list of questions. Keep in mind that while it’s lovely to keep things light and informal, this is still an interview! Since it’s important to feel listened to by your potential doula and also feel relaxed around her, I find it helpful to ask questions not just about birth, but also about her personally and her business. Here’s a list from which you can pick and choose. Have at it!
The Doula interview:
How many clients do you take each month?
How many births have you attended?
How will my partner be involved?
What is your birth philosophy?
Why did you become a doula?
What are some words or phrases that friends, family and clients would use to describe you?
Do you have a refund policy?
What do you find most difficult about being a doula?
Have you attended many different types of birth (unmedicated, inductions, cesarean, etc.)?
Do you have a contract that specifies the details of our agreement?
What are some of your favorite aspects of being a doula?
Do you offer any custom packages for birth and postpartum support?
Choosing a doula is an incredibly personal choice and one that is often guided by instinct, so there’s, of course, no need to ask any or all of these questions. If you choose to bring a list of questions, think about which ones resonate most with you, and be sure to ask questions that relate to any hard lines you may have (for example, if you feel strongly about having a doula who has had a child herself, or if you feel strongly about having a doula who is comfortable in a home birth setting).
Most importantly, listen to your intuition, as this is YOUR birth!
Warmly,
Christina
