Doulas can be a tremendous asset and comfort for women in labor. They act as encouragers, coaches, and even masseuses to support women through the entire birthing process. A doula’s primary goal is to help women go through the birth experience they desire. They are professionally trained in a way to provide pregnant women physical, emotional, and educational support in the days leading up to the due date, as well as throughout labor.
Hiring a doula can actually improve your odds of having a spontaneous vaginal birth and lower the chances of cesarean birth. Many women have reported needing less pain medication when they bring a doula into the mix, and doulas help reduce stress, explain medical processes, provide guidance and assurance, and create a more positive birth experience overall.
It makes sense to do your homework when selecting a doula for the birth of your child. She will be an extension of your birth team, so it’s important that you click with her, trust her, and enjoy her presence. Finding the right doula for you is all about finding the right questions to ask a doula and selecting someone who understands your preferences.
At Motherfigure, we recommend interviewing at least two candidates so you have more than one option to choose from. For a few ideas on questions to ask when interviewing a doula, check out our list of the most important ones that will allow you to get to know her and see if she’s the right fit.
The best questions to ask when interviewing a doula
Before you come up with a list of questions to ask a doula, start scheduling interviews. You may want to determine your budget and the characteristics you’d like to find in a doula before meeting with your potential picks. Just like job interviews, it’s important to take notes and ask honest questions about their support style, experience, and approach. Listen intently and openly to their answers before making any decisions. And above all else, choose the doula who you click with and trust to be an advocate throughout this process.
1. Are you available on my due date?
Out of all the questions to ask a doula, this one is major. Many doulas only take on one or two clients per month in order to ensure that they’re there to support them whenever they give birth, but sometimes babies have different plans! If a doula is already booked on your date or even relatively close to your date, she’ll probably let you know before you even get to the interview stage.
2. What is your training and background?
While the doula practice is professionalizing, it’s not regulated, and trainings and certifications are fragmented, which is why this is such an important question to ask when interviewing a doula. There are several doula trainings available, so do a little research and digging into your candidates’ training and certificates. DONA and CAPPA are two widely recognized trainings, but some doulas prefer to not be trained or certified, or are “self-trained.” Because this is a profession that deals with serious education and helps bring life into the world, it’s really important to work with a doula who is legitimately trained and who follows a code of ethics
3. Do you have a specific philosophy about birth?
There’s no real right answer for this, just as there’s no right answer for your own philosophy (though, here at Motherfigure, we advocate for being as adaptable and open as possible—much as we might try, we can’t totally plan a birth). Look for cues that your doula’s philosophy matches up somewhat or completely with yours. A doula’s role is not to convince you to proceed with your birth in any certain manner, but to support you through the birth process you choose. And, ideally, they should be nonjudgmental–both about your philosophy and about changes that might happen in the moment. This question will ideally allow you to get to know the doula better and what she values in this work.
4. What inspired you to become a doula?
This is another fantastic get-to-know-you question to ask a doula that will shed some light into a doula’s background and passion in the field. It’s a favorite of ours because it gives doulas the chance to share what they love about this work, which can help you see whether you click with her.
5. What would you say your doula style is?
Asking about a doula’s style will allow them to showcase their strengths. You may want an upbeat cheerleader, a joke cracker, or more of a soft-spoken encourager. Just like anybody else, doulas have personality attributes that make them stand out, and that may be better suited for some people rather than others. Their energy will set the tone for your labor experience, so you want to make sure it’s aligned with what you want
6. How many parents have you been a doula for?
It’s great to know how much experience a doula has in supporting women through labor. Usually, they need to attend at least three births for certification purposes. A newer doula may charge less, while more advanced doulas who’ve been doing this for years could cost quite a bit more.
7. Do you have experience at the hospital or location where I’m giving birth? Have you worked with my OB before?
This question can help validate whether and to what degree they’ll be able to navigate the environment you’re in like a pro, and give you the inside scoop on what to expect.
8. What are some ways you prefer to support mothers giving birth?
This is a good way to understand how much and how long you’ll be in contact with your doula before, during, and after birth. You’ll also find out more about her “style” and how she specializes in support. Some doulas may be more education heavy, while others might focus more on physical touch for pain relief or emotional support as a shoulder to cry on.
9. Have you done any continued education since your initial doula training?
With the amount of education and extended trainings available, it’s great to know if your candidates offer any additional expertise or approaches.
10. What are your rates?
The fees for doulas vary depending on experience, training, and the city you live in, so there’s really no one standard. It can fall anywhere between $300 to $2,000, depending on where you live and how long they’ve been doing this.
11. Do you use any special approaches to labor pain?
There are so many coping and relaxation methods that help laboring moms through the birth process in a positive and empowering way. Many women have reported that having a doula reduced the need for pain medication, so it’s great to know the specific techniques your candidates use.
12. What are your thoughts on C-sections?
There’s no wrong way to give birth, and doulas should support all types of labor. If your labor ends up as a cesarean birth, your doula should remain a supportive and calming force.
13. Do you have a backup doula?
Remember: Sometimes babies have their own schedules. Ask doulas how they’ve handled missing births (or near-misses) in the past, and what happened. Doulas may work with specific birth partners who serve as backups. If she does, ask how she chose her backup and what that doula’s style and demeanor is like. You should ask to meet with them, too. If they don’t have a backup, figure out if you can get comfortable with that.