5 Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Doula

Whether or not you are familiar with doulas and the value they can bring to the pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience- most people aren’t quite sure how a doula interview usually goes, or what questions they should ask. Here’s a quick read to help.

Question 1: How do you want to approach your doula search?

Yes, this question is actually for you. After all, you are the most important person to be checking in with during this process, and you are the expert on what’s best for you. Would you rather meet with a few doulas individually over coffee, meet several at once at an open house style setting, or just choose based on a phone chat or an online profile? There is no wrong or right answer here. Most doulas offer complimentary consultations, and there are several doula groups in the area that offer meet and greets. Figure out what resonates with you, and go from there.

Question 2: What are your favorite books/podcasts/classes to recommend to the families you work with?

This is such a good question to ask a doula during a consultation, because it has several layers. Hopefully your potential doula will be able to show a passion for birth and continuous learning, give you some valuable ideas, and not show a strong bias toward an approach that doesn’t align with you.

Question 3: When do you use backup, and who would attend my birth if backup is needed?

This is a great question to determine how your potential doula covers their bases. Some doulas always work in teams, meaning you will not be sure who is coming to your birth until you go into labor. Other doulas use backup only in cases of emergency or unforeseen circumstances. Some have a designated backup, some allow you to give input into who is primary backup should something arise.

Question 4: How do you communicate and collaborate with caregivers and other members of the birth team?

This question gives you insight into your potential doula’s people skills and how well they work on a team. You may want to hear how they handle delicate conversations with caregivers when things are veering away from a birthing person’s preferences, or how they will approach supporting you alongside your partner, or other birth team members.

Question 5: How would you describe your approach?

This is a good question to get a feel for your potential doula’s style. There truly is a doula for everyone, and to find your perfect fit, you’ll want to find a doula whose approach aligns with you. Style differences are not only differences in personality (huge when you have someone in your space, for a significant period of time, during one of the most important and transformational experiences of your life), but also differences in birth philosophy, and skills- does this doula consider themselves strong in hands on comfort measures, verbal encouragement, knowing when to give you space?

Ultimately, you can ask whatever questions are important to you during the consultation, and doulas are friendly, warm people, so don’t be shy! Most of us just want to do our part in helping you find the support you deserve during your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. So shop around! Just know that the most important factor when shopping for a doula, is your gut. Trust yourself.

Written by Angie Traska, coordinator of Align Doula Services, providing intuitive, attentive doula support that aligns with you. Serving Madison, WI and the surrounding areas.

Want to meet a few excellent doulas, learn more about Align Doula Services or doulas in general? Please join us for our complimentary doula info meeting on January 8th to learn more, or shoot us a message to line up a private consultation.