Questions to ask doula. « Back to Group Discussions

[tetiana]

I am planning to hire a doula for birth. I found a few online,but have no idea what questions to ask them besides what their birth plan is. I am planning to conduct a phone interview first and then if I like them, invite them for a more in depth meeting. Need moms who have experience with doulas to give me some pointers. What should I ask? What should I be looking for in a doula? I am planning a drug free hospital birth.

[nhklh]

You could ask whether they've worked at your hospital before, and what that was like.  You could also ask what they would do to help you achieve your goal - would they fend off hosp staff offering drugs, would they stop your care provider from cutting an episiotomy, what sort of tools might they have for helping you through the experience - do they offer massage, reiki, reflexology or anything extra-special.

[travelmumma]

Photography, if your interested in that too

[nhklh]

More ideas - is she comfortable administering herbal/homeopathic remedies as discussed with you previously.  I asked mine just now if she's ever done placenta prints before.

[nhklh]

Some do placenta encapsulation too, if you want that.

[segolilymama]

tetiana - I would not ask what the doula's birth plan is; really, if they have an answer you know they are not a very good doula! It is YOUR birth plan that matters. Period.

The above questions are all good ones. I would add "what is the best birth you attended" as well as "what was the hardest birth you attended". Also to be more specific, what was the hardest complications you have aver dealt with in birth.