How to Hire a Doula

A doula can greatly enhance your experience of childbirth and the postpartum months. Your birth doula will be at your side, along with your care provider and partner, as part of your team of continuous support during labor and birth. Or maybe you’d like a postpartum doula to help make a smooth transition into parenthood and creating a family? Either way, finding a good fit for you and your partner is critical.

You and your partner should feel comfortable with your doula. You need to know that she is supportive of your birth vision and expectations.  Many couples report that their doula was invaluable when it came to helping them work together as a couple compared to what it might have been like on their own. 

Conduct an in-person interview.
It is a good idea for both you to meet doula candidates to decide if they are compatible with you and your partner. Are they kind, warm and enthusiastic? Are they knowledgeable? Do they communicate well? Are they good listeners? Are they comfortable with your choices or do they seem to have their own agenda? Do you feel at ease with them? You may want to interview more than one doula and make comparisons before choosing one for you. 

Questions to ask any Doula:

• What training have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization.)
• Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
• What is your fee, what does it include and what are your refund policies?

When interviewing a birth doula

• Tell me about your experience as a birth doula.
• What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
• When do we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting methrough birth?
• May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
• When do you join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth?
• Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?

When interviewing a postpartum doula

• Tell me about your experience as a postpartum doula.
• What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
• When do we meet to discuss our postpartum needs and the role you will play insupporting us in the postpartum period?
• May we call you with postpartum questions or concerns before the birth?
• When do your services begin after birth? What is your experience in breastfeeding support? 

Remember that a good doula will welcome these questions and the dialogue they will create about your plans for your birth and postpartum.

A few last words about certification..
​Certification is a meaningful measure of a doula’s commitment and professionalism.A doula’s education, training, experience and credentials are important. Certification is not a state requirement for doulas but it is highly recommended by most hospitals and professionals. A certified doula is a doula who is educated, trained, and accountable to a certifying body (such as CAPPA, DONA, ICEA, etc.) Certified doulas must re-certify every 2-3 years to stay current with their certification, which reassures you that a doula's education and training is up to date and relevant.  Always check credentials!  

At Roots, our doulas are among the most seasoned and experienced doulas and IBCLCs in the area with over a decade of experience in the field.  To schedule an interview with one of our team members, fill out the contact form on our website and we will connect with you ASAP to schedule a time to meet with you and your partner.  

With doula love,
​Erica

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