Your labour and birth is a highly vulnerable and hormonal event. Who are you inviting to this most special day? Typical questions people ask a doula they are considering for hire are things like: what kind of training do you have? and how many births have you attended? Which tells you if the person is qualified for the profession, but doesn’t answer if this is a good personal fit for you and your birth.
A day filled with every possible bodily fluid, lots of intimate moments, some ugly crying, group trips to the bathroom and lots of other very personal stuff. What questions would you want answered to feel comfortable with someone to be on board for that list?
Knowing the doula’s academics might help you know they’re qualified for the technical job. But how will you feel when you’re pooping with them in the room? You may start to wonder if you really asked the questions that mattered. Make it personal.
Here are ten questions to ask at your interviews with doulas:
- What is unique about having you as our doula?
- How will you help keep me and/or my partner calm if the situation becomes stressful?
- Can you give me an example of how you will advocate for what I want at my birth?
- How will my partner benefit from having you on our birth team?
- Do you have a preference for working with midwives or with doctors? (or preference of venue and why).
- How will you support me if I change my mind about my birth plan?
- If I have an epidural to cope with my labour, how does your support change?
- Do you have a maximum number of hours you work at a birth, what is the transition plan if you have to leave?
- What is your experience attending birth at [my specific] birth venue?
- What are the tools that you bring with you to support the kind of birth I want?
For anyone with 3rd party (workplace) insurance benefits, it would be worthwhile to ask if they are certified and with whom as many insurers have criteria for vetted organizations. Like how Doulas on Bikes are CAPPA certified doulas and can provide the details needed for reimbursement.
Is a partner/spouse/family member attending the birth? Or is there anyone else who has an impact on who you choose for a doula? If so, plan to have that person present at the interview as most people offer one free consultation, the second one to meet hubby too will likely have a fee attached.
And when is a good time in your pregnancy to start looking for a doula?
Answer: as soon as you know you want one! Most doulas will open a communication channel with you as soon as you contract with them (well, this is how we work anyway!) So the sooner you hire your doula, the sooner you have a professional supporting you to get resources and prepare for a great pregnancy, labour and birth. It all starts with the right questions!