Questions to ask before hiring a Doula

Partnering with a Doula can help you with your birth and postpartum experience. Before hiring a Doula, it is important to interview several Doula and ensure that you two are comfortable with each other. Here is a list of questions, as recommended by DONA international, to ask your Doula before you hire them.

‍

For Birth Doulas:

As recommended by DONA international position paper: "The Birth Doula’s role in maternity care", on questions to ask Birth Doula's during the hiring process.

1. What training have you had? ( If Doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization)
2. Tell me about your experience with birth, personally and as a Doula
3. What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
4. May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me  through birth?
5. May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
6. When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the hospital?
7. Do you meet us after the birth to review the labor and answer the questions?
8. Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available?
9. May we meet them?
10. What are your fees and refund policies?
    
    

For Postpartum Doulas:

As recommended by DONA international position paper: "The Postpartum Doula’s role in maternity care", on questions to ask during the hiring process.

1. What training have you had? ( If Doula is certified, you might consider checking with the organization)
2. Have you had a criminal background check, a recent TB test and current CPR certification?
3. Tell me/us about your experience as a postpartum doula.
4. What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
5. May I/we meet to discuss my/our postpartum needs and the role you will play in supporting me/us in the postpartum period?
6. May I/we call you with postpartum questions or concerns before the birth?
7. When do your services begin after birth?
8. What is your experience in breastfeeding support?
9. Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May I/we meet them?
10. What are your fees and refund policies?