How to Find the Right Doula for You

This is another addition to the "Start Here" series, helping you understand the who, what, where, when, how, and why's about having a doula. This post will give you tips on how to hire a doula that fits your specific birth goals and pregnancy needs.

Today's topic is how to find the right doula. Finding the right doula is just as important as deciding to hire one! And I can say with 100% accuracy: there is a doula for everyone! I can also assuredly say, not every doula is for every person.

Each doula has their own unique personality, spiritual beliefs, and personal experiences. There are a wide range of differences in focuses, education, and bed side manner. Some women love postpartum and breastfeeding, while others are education focused, providing extensive knowledge to help you feel prepared for different aspects of pregnancy and birth. Some are super crunchy and well versed in holistic ideologies, while others come from a clinical background holding nursing degrees and the like. Doulas come in all ages and stages with babies of their own, grandkids, no babies, and fur babies. Some prefer in-hospital births and have never seen a home birth, while others only take home birth clientele.

All of those details translate into an individual whose niche may or may not be the right fit for you, posing the question then: how do you decide?

There's definitely some standard questions to ask, like what sort of training, credentials, and skill-sets do you hold? How many births have you attended? What midwives or OBs have you worked with?

But here are some deeper questions to consider as well: What are your beliefs about birth and the human body? What's the most valuable tool you bring to the birth space? How would you support my birth goals and my birth plan in the case of a provider not agreeing with an aspect of it? What if I made a decision you didn't agree with? How do you prepare yourself before a birth? What are you spiritual beliefs and how do they relate to your role as a doula, and to birth in general?

When you hire a birth worker to be a part of your team, you're trusting an individual to come into a sacred space that deserves the utmost respect and protection. She is there for you as the birthing individual or couple, not for herself or her ego. Her goals are your goals. She must be the ultimate observer of the room, and the greatest holder of space.

What happens (or doesn't happen) during birth has the power to ripple across generations.

Because of this, it's of the utmost importance that you choose someone who make you ultimately feel safe.

A lack of feeling safe derails physiological birth quickly. It has the power to slow, and even stop, contractions. This of course can then lead to an escalation of interventions keeping a woman from having the ability to achieve her birth goals. It's imperative to this in mind as you start your search.

Here are some solid tips to ensure the doula you hire is the right fit for you:

• Start your doula search early in pregnancy and thoroughly interview multiple professionals. Get your questions ready in advance and consider what answer would make you feel most confident.

• Don't hire a doula just because they're cheaper than the next, or because your bff hired them before you without a full interview.

• If price is a concern, ask about payment plans or other accommodations.

• Consider asking for references of past births or from OBs or midwives.

• Ask your OB or midwife if they've ever heard of them and what their experiences with them may have been.

• Ask the doula questions about travel distances, logistics, how many births they take a month and if they are unable to make it to your birth, do they have a back up.

• Don't be afraid to hire a fresh doula with just a couple of births under their belt if they have a philosophy and presence that lines up with yours. Often, new doulas will work harder, be more present, and go out of their way to serve you specifically because of this. Every professional started somewhere.

• Check out their professional presence as well as their social accounts. Does their presence match yours?

Again, in my opinion, the number one factor to keep in mind while you search for the right doula to hire is: Does their presence, actions, skill-sets, beliefs, etc. make me feel safe?

I'm confident, if you're currently on the hunt for a doula, there is someone out there for you. If you think just maybe that person is me, let's set up a time to chat! I'd love to meet, hear your story, and all your hopes for your pregnancy, birth, and transition into parenthood. I'm a simple phone call or email away to set up your free consultation today.