when in pregnancy to find a doula?

MidwestIrishBridea

Hi everyone! I'm only seven weeks along, but I've known for years that when I get pregnant I want a doula involved in my pregnancy and delivery.  At what point do you find and hire a doula?  Now? 20 weeks?  Later?  When did you all get a doula involved and what do you recommend?

tokenhoser

If you know you want one, start interviewing and calling/emailing right away. Most doulas take only a handful of clients per month (to ensure they'll be available to each woman when the birth happens), so the earlier you book her the more selection you have.

I didn't book mine until about week 30, and then we met 3 times before my birth. If you book early, you could spread your prenatal meetings through your pregnancy, or concentrate them closer to the birth. 

pepomntpat

The earlier the better. I started interviewing mine around 12 weeks and had one hired by 15 weeks.

FinallyMrsBMW

I started looking for one around 12 weeks and spent the last 12 weeks interviewing different ones.  We just decided on one this week and I am 25 weeks along.  It seems like the earlier the better and you will have more choice in who you hire.

tokenhoser

Another benefit to booking early is she can lend you books for your whole pregnancy. It's nice to be able to leech of someone else's library.

flyer23

pepomntpat:

The earlier the better. I started interviewing mine around 12 weeks and had one hired by 15 weeks.

This. And the only reason I waited so "long" was that in my previous pregnancy, I started contacting doulas pretty much as soon as I found out I was pregnant, and promptly miscarried. So, the next time around, I basically waited till I was sure the baby was sticking, and then immediately got on the doula search.

Contrary to popular belief, doulas aren't just useful at the birth itself -- they can answer questions and provide information throughout your pregnancy. The earlier you hire one, the more time you have to truly get your money's worth!

Nechie122

I hired mine around 22/23 weeks, and started interviewing around 20 weeks.  I hired someone in training so I was actually on the early side, she told me.  If I had wanted one of the "names" in New York City -- the well-known, more experienced doulas -- then I probably would have needed to start looking even earlier.

So I think a lot depends on what you're looking for and where you live.

My doula said she would check in with me monthly till 35 weeks, when we'd start our prenatal visits at my apartment, so there wasn't that much added benefit (other than peace of mind) to booking early.