Doula questions

[Froggirl]

Hi all...I usually lurk here so I hope it's ok to jump in with a question. I've actually been able to locate 3 doulas on our little island (I was surprised). Now I'd like to talk with them and ask them some questions but I'm not sure what to ask. The list from DONA specifies if they are certified (the 3 in my area are not) so that part is covered. Any other questions you wish you would've asked your doula but didn't??
Thanks in advance!
--Jenn

[GreenMamma]

As a doula I am usually asked for references, how long I've been a doula, what range of experiences I've had, when I will go to a woman, whether we would meet at her home or other birth location, what I carry in my birth bag, if I am familiar with her care provider, what my back-up situation is like, how much my back-up may charge (if it's seperate from my charge), when payment is expected, and then what all I have to offer - what kind of coping and relaxation techniques I am familiar with (aromatherapy, massage, acupressure, hydrotherapy, heat/cool compresses, etc), if I have any additional certifications (hypnobirthing, birthing from within, etc).

[Froggirl]

Thanks GreenMamma....that's exactly what I was wondering!
Another question: in your experience, do most doulas require a down payment or is payment paid after "services rendered"?
Thanks again,
Jenn

[GreenMamma]

Usually I do half that upon signing a contract with me that says I am your doula, you are my client and half the day after birth. The first half in non-refundable. That's something you'll want to ask your potential doulas about during interviews. The non-refundable portion is for the prenatal visits.

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by Froggirl

Thanks GreenMamma....that's exactly what I was wondering!
Another question: in your experience, do most doulas require a down payment or is payment paid after "services rendered"?
Thanks again,
Jenn

I do half at the time of contract signing and half when I go on call at 37 weeks. I don't like to talk about money postpartum and unfortunately a lot of doulas have gotten burned waiting until after the birth and not getting paid.

[honey-lilac]

Our doula did half and half too. Unfortunately my labor went so fast that we forgot to call her entirely. She was really angry with us (?!) for not calling her because I guess she blocked us out and now she was missing the last half of the payment. Which I understand, but we ended up paying $400 (half the fee) for what amounted to one prenatal visit lasting half an hour and one phone call. We were living on about $1000 months at that point so that was not insignificant for us. And it's not like we MEANT to not call her, we just honestly forgot because things were that intense and that quick. I forgot because I was in laborland and DH forgot because he was worried about me, and well, whatever.

I would honestly ask more about how many births they attended and some variations of birth they've seen, and their attitude about dealing with doctors/midwives or how much they want to stick to the birth plan.

I am going through DONA certification and although I would obviously endorse that, I also know that you only need to attend like three births to get certified (well, other requirements too but that's I think the most important part, the hands-on part if you will). You might get a lot more experienced a doula if you went with someone who was doing it a long time but didn't have a formal cert. (Didn't Ina May not have any "formal" training?)

Plus... I mean it really depends on whose personality you click with. You want someone you feel comfortable with, not someone who looks good on paper.

[GreenMamma]

I completely agree with experience over certification and who's personality meshes well with you and your partner.

[Froggirl]

Thanks for all the replies ladies.....good info!
--Jenn