These days, much is often made of the importance of doula support. But, once you’ve decided to welcome a doula into your birth circle, how do you select the right person and ensure you have a successful relationship and positive experience with the doula you’ve chosen? Heidi Lengel, mama of two, doula extraordinaire and owner of Interlude Perinatal Support Services, gives us advice on making the most of this important relationship.
Thinking of hiring a doula to support you during pregnancy and birth? Wonderful! Before you take the plunge, make sure you understand how to have a successful experience. Here’s some basic info to get you started.
Choose a Doula who is professional, reliable, and forthcoming.
Any Doula you interview should be more than happy to offer you references (2-3 should do). You can ask for references from Moms, Dads, Partners, or other birth support team members of previous clients. Doula reviews can also be found on Doula Match.
A Doula should also provide a contract outlining their services including but not limited to:
- A back up plan: in the event that they are not able to attend your birth
- A fee schedule: most doulas offer payment installments and accept several forms of payment
- Responsibilities of parents: yes, your contract with your doula is a two-way street. Make sure you understand how to avoid unnecessary confusion by communicating your needs (particularly around your birthing time) with your Doula.
- Any situations that could warrant a full or partial refund
Don’t be afraid to shop around! Philly has a vibrant birth support community with many experienced, skilled, and compassionate Doulas- one of them will be a great fit for you (read: just because your neighbor’s sister’s cousin’s best friend liked “Jane the Doula” doesn’t mean that she’ll be the right fit for you).
Understand the doula’s role (and limitations).
Doulas provide non-medical support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences. Not to be confused with midwives (or OBGYNS or nurses), Doulas DO NOT perform medical tasks such as taking blood pressure, performing vaginal exams, “catching” babies, or offering medical treatment to you or your baby.
Doulas DO offer childbirth preparation and educational resources during pregnancy and provide emotional, logistical, and physical support (including tips for comfort and positioning) during labor. Make sure you hire a Doula who clearly understands her role as a non-medical professional and practices within her scope of practice. And, talk with her about her professional strengths (Does she know certain massage techniques? Is she great with labor positioning? Does she have specialized training in a particular birthing method or philosophy?) so that you can get the most out of her support!
Make your expectations of the Doula clear.
Open communication is key to any working relationship. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself, as well as your doula (and if you don’t like the answers you get from one Doula, interview another!):
- How many prenatal visits does the Doula provide, and what is included in them?
- What type of support is offered throughout pregnancy and leading up to the birth (Phone? Email? Text?)?
- What kind of role will you want the Doula to play during your birth?
- How do you envision the Doula supporting your birth partner?
- How will the Doula continue to support you if your birth plan or preferences change?
- How long after the baby is born is your doula willing to stay?
- What type of postpartum support does she offer?
Remember to keep communicating your needs once you hire a Doula! She can’t {always} read your mind. 😉
Heidi Lengel, MMT, MT-BC, CD(SBD) is a professional birth support specialist who focuses in music therapy assisted childbirth as well as therapeutic perinatal bereavement support. She is a seasoned music therapist, certified birth & bereavement doula, passionate perinatal mental health advocate, and loves supporting families throughout seasons of life and loss. In her spare time she can be found greening urban spaces with her kids and husband while slurping up the last drops of a caramel iced latte.