Questions to Ask
Questions to ask a prospective Birth Doula:
1. What training have you had?
2. What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor.
3. When do you try to join a woman in labor? Do you come to our home or do you meet us at the place of birth?
4. May we meet with you to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me (us) through childbirth?
5. May we call you with questions or concerns before or after birth?
6. Do you meet with me (us) after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
7. Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
8. What is your fee, what does it include, and what are your refund policies?
9. Can you provide references?
When you meet the doula (and it is a good idea for both you and your partner to meet her), pay particular attention to your personal perceptions of the doula. Is she kind, warm and enthusiastic? Is she knowledgable? Does she communicate well? Is she a good listener? Is she comfortable with your choices or does she seem to have her own agenda? Do you feel comfortable with her?
The way you feel with her may be more important than the number of births she's attended. You may want to interview more than one doula and make a comparison to help you find the doula who is right for you.
Questions provided courtesy of DONA International. http://www.dona.org/
1. What training have you had?
2. What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor.
3. When do you try to join a woman in labor? Do you come to our home or do you meet us at the place of birth?
4. May we meet with you to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me (us) through childbirth?
5. May we call you with questions or concerns before or after birth?
6. Do you meet with me (us) after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
7. Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
8. What is your fee, what does it include, and what are your refund policies?
9. Can you provide references?
When you meet the doula (and it is a good idea for both you and your partner to meet her), pay particular attention to your personal perceptions of the doula. Is she kind, warm and enthusiastic? Is she knowledgable? Does she communicate well? Is she a good listener? Is she comfortable with your choices or does she seem to have her own agenda? Do you feel comfortable with her?
The way you feel with her may be more important than the number of births she's attended. You may want to interview more than one doula and make a comparison to help you find the doula who is right for you.
Questions provided courtesy of DONA International. http://www.dona.org/
