Heidi Lengel, A Child Grows contributor, mom of two and local expert on all things doula shares her wisdom on the best practices when hiring a doula for birth support.
Looking to hire a birth doula to support you and your family during pregnancy and birth? If this is your first time around the (birth) block, here are some tips to make the process go well.
1) Time is a’ tickin. You’ll need to plan ahead in order to make the best use of the doula you hire. Here’s a helpful timeline to give you plenty of wiggle room.
- 20-24 weeks: Start your search for a doula: Find 3-5 Doulas (via word of mouth or Doula Match) that seem like they could be a good fit for you.
- 24-27 weeks: Interview as many doulas as you choose.
- 27-30 weeks: Hire a doula.
- 30-36 weeks: Complete prenatal visits with your doula (this gives you time to get to know her and absorb birth preparation information before you are ‘full term’)
- 36-40 weeks: Take this time to nest, relax, nurture your body, and get some extra sleep before baby arrives!
2) Have a list of questions to use during interviews. Consider how these questions might help you get to know your potential doula:
- How did you train to become a doula?
- How did your training prepare you for this work?
- What do you love about this work?
- Do you come to my home when I am in labor, or do you meet me at my birthing location?
- Can you give examples of how you would support me in ‘xyz’ scenarios?
- If I am in labor at the same time as another client, who is my secondary doula? Will she know she is on call?
- Can you tell me about a time that a client made a decision you didn’t agree with? How were you able to support her in that situation?
- What is your fee? What does that include? What are your refund policies?
3) Ask to review the contract for services before hiring any doula. Understand what her obligations are to you, and vice versa. Compare contracts from different doulas. Listen to your gut and hire a doula that feels professional, reliable, and trustworthy.
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.