How to Hire a Birth Doula
I want a doula to support me and my partner when my baby is born- how do I find the right one?
A great place to start is by asking friends and family for referrals. While this is a good place to start, your friend’s doula might not be the one you want to hire. You can also ask your provider for referrals to local doulas or look in a directory (like the Southern Utah Birth Village linked HERE).
Interview Doulas
As a birth doula, I’ll be the first to tell you that you need to meet with at least a couple doulas before you make your decision on who to hire (unless you feel really good about the first one you contact!) Most doulas offer a free initial consultation which gives you and them a chance to get to know each other to see if you’ll be a good fit. Each doula has different skills and offerings they bring their clients and you’ll want to hire the one you feel most comfortable with.
Use the initial consultation/interview to voice any concerns you have about your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum. The way your doula responds and the discussion you have regarding your concerns will help you feel out your prospective doula. This is also important so your doula understands your history and can best support you if you hire them.
Ask your prospective doulas about what their fee includes- the number of prenatal and postpartum appointments and length of support during birth. Is your doula comfortable with you contacting them throughout your pregnancy? (they should be!) If your doula is unable to make your birth, do they have a reliable backup who will attend in their place? (they should!) If the birth is precipitous and your doula misses it, do they offer an additional postpartum visit to compensate? (Precipitous birth policies vary!) These are just a few situations that you want to make sure you and your doula are prepared for.
You should ask your doula about additional services they provide. There are “doula-togs” (doula/birth photographers), doulas who are licensed in massage therapy or foot zoning, etc. Ask your potential doulas if there are other services they offer that can be added on to your birth package.
Keep in mind the consultation/interview is for the doula to get to know you and your partner too. A good doula will let you know if their birth philosophy doesn’t align with your expectations. If something feels off or you have reservations, trust your instincts and contact other doulas. It’s okay to ask a doula for a reference to another doula- we are a village and our birthworker community is all about supporting you on your journey (even if you don’t hire us!).
