How To Choose a Doula for Your Birth

Get a list of the doulas in the area. The local birthing centers and home-birthing agencies will generally have a list of local doulas. Local hospitals that teach birthing classes will also have a list. Sometimes the courses are taught by doulas, so ask your birthing teacher if you have one.

Narrow your list down with a few phone calls to doulas on your list. To do this, formulate a few questions about their experience, training and fees. Some doulas will be more expensive than others. Some may offer reduced fees if you are having financial troubles. In general, a doula should have completed doula courses and home training. She should have had experience performing doula services on her own after her training was completed.

Talk with the ones on the short list about their general philosophy of birth. Some mothers want their births to be as natural as possible. Others want to make sure that they get all of the pain relief that is possible. Many mothers are unsure about what they will want during the birth and will rely on their doula to help them make decisions. Whatever your plan is for your birth, talk to the prospective doulas and get their input. A doula that is at odds with your general plan is probably not the doula for you. If you have a birth plan, show it to the doulas that you are considering and make sure that they are in agreement with your wishes.

Ask about the specific services that the doulas offer. If you want a doula who will stay with you for a while after the birth, make sure that the doula you hire will offer that service.

Meet with the doulas that you are considering and get to know them on a personal level. If there is a personality clash, you will want to know this before the stress of labor complicates things.