Choosing Your Doula

birthdoula

Mar 31

So you have decided to hire a doula for your upcoming birth. That’s great! If you’re still considering the pros and cons, you can check out this article. But if you’ve already made the decision that you’d like to have doula support at your birth, the next step is choosing your doula.

Here are eight things you might want to consider.

The Package
When you do interviews, whether they’re by email, text, phone, or in person, and whether these are private or at a doula speed-dating event, ask what the package includes. Some doulas are on call for you for a specific number of weeks surrounding your due date, while others might be on call for you from the moment they’re hired. Some doulas include extra perks as part of their service, such as birth photography, professional labour massage, or postpartum lactation support. Some doulas visit you a couple times after your baby arrives to help you settle in. Find out what is on offer so you can compare, and so that you can choose services that are meaningful for you.
The Philosophy
Even though a doula’s role is to support the kind of birth you want–your wishes, your choices–they all have their own philosophies on birth. Doulas are all different ages, have different backgrounds, and they all have their own unique beliefs. Sometimes asking about a doula’s philosophies about birth can launch an interesting conversation and help you get to know where she’s coming from, and how she has come to hold her current beliefs. She might have some really good stories to share! Sometimes you learn a lot about birth philosophies just from initiating this interview question, which can lead to making a very informed doula choice.
The Personality
I think one of the most important qualities to look for when choosing your doula is simply the vibe you get. We don’t always know exactly why we like some people right away, and feel uncomfortable around others, but this kind of impression is really important when you’re in labour. Labouring people need to be able to relax, let go, cede control, and deeply trust their support team. If your doula makes you feel stressed or tense, or if you just don’t jive well, or you have trouble communicating with ease, this might not be your best match. For example, if you are very medical, and the doula in front of you is very alternative, or vice versa. No matter what that is, there might be a doula in town who does. Choose a doula with whom you feel comfort and ease, who feels like they would be an asset at your birth.
The Perspective
Another thing that might be interesting to ask about, is the doula’s experience. This might include how many years she has been practicing, or how many births she has attended, but also whether there are certain types of specific scenarios in her repertoire. For example, if you know you are giving birth by Caesarean, or if you are planning a home birth, or if you will have your toddler with you at the birth, asking if she has experience with your kind of situation might provide useful insight. I would include in this category that it can be useful to have a doula who speaks your first language, since it can get very hard to reach for our second (or third) language during labour. Or if your baby is breech, or if you are expecting twins, or if you live in a cabin with no electricity… These are all variables that might make it handy to have a doula with pre-existing familiarity. But it is not necessarily a deal-breaker. If you feel a clear bond with her or an instinctive inclination to hire her, that is often enough. Maybe she’s well versed in the kind of birth you’re expecting to have, or maybe this will be her first encounter with it, but if you feel like her services will be helpful, trust your gut.
The Price
Doulas charge their own fees, and there is quite a range! A very experienced doula who brings other modalities to your birth will probably charge a lot more than a newer doula who has a narrower range of services to offer. Some doulas might have a base fee, with the option to purchase add-ons (like TENS machine rental), and some doulas might have different ‘packages’ you can choose from. Some doulas might offer sliding scale rates to low income families. Very new doulas usually charge the least while they are accumulating experience. No matter what your budget, there is a doula for everyone. And if you really bond with a doula who is outside of your price range, consider asking friends or family to help out as a baby shower gift. Doula support is infinitely more valuable than another baby blanket (no matter how cute).
The Plan
Another useful thing you can ask during your interview is exactly what plan this doula offers. Does she join you in early labour? Active labour? Will she accompany you on the drive to the hospital? Does she work with a back-up doula just in case? How long does she stay after the birth? When should you call her? You can ask all about other births she has attended to get a sense of the scope of her contributions. How does she see her role? As well, if you would like her to take on a specific task, such as helping ensure you get a room with a tub, or reminding your partner to eat, or helping you stay home until you’re definitely in active labour, you can ask if this can be part of the plan. If what you’re asking for is beyond her scope of practice, she will let you know.
The Peers
If you have friends who have used a doula, they might have some good recommendations. It is a very good idea to consider doulas that your friends have loved. Go ahead and add them to your interview list. But always prioritise your own perceptions. If you don’t get a good vibe, this might not be the best doula match for you, even if she was perfect for your friends.
The Perception
Ultimately, the most important thing is just that she feels right to you. Usually when you interview doulas, you immediately get a sense of which ones you click with, and which ones you don’t. So trust your gut on this. Your doula only has to be right for you. And there is truly a doula for everyone.