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Natural Birth
What questions did you ask your doula?
We have a meeting with a couple of doulas next week, and I'm trying to make a list of things to ask but I am completely lost. I know this is kind of a personal thing, but I'm curious and need some pushing here.
What did you ask at your consultations with doulas? What were some important qualities for them to have?
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Re: What questions did you ask your doula?
Pragmatically, the most important things were that I could afford her and that she was available.
I looked at the list on dona.org: https://www.dona.org/mothers/how_to_hire_a_doula.php
The most important thing was the both DH and I liked her and felt that we would be open to taking her advice during labour and birth. Beyond that, I wanted someone that had attended a few births like mine (hospital births with a doctor), had doula training, and was good at communicating before we met (responded to emails and phone messages).
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I'll agree with pp that I definitely need someone I could afford and who could tell me she would definitely be available, and didn't have several others due at the same time.
Most importantly, I used the interview to scope out how she made me feel. It might sound stupid, but I'm very modest and shy so I need someone that automatically makes me feel at home and relaxed so that I can be perfectly honest through the whole process.
We didn't ask her many specific questions, we just kind of did a back and forth where I told her my birth plan and thoughts, and she would give me tips or experiences that she has had. Of course questions came up, but we didn't have any planned out. It felt more like a conversation than an interview, which I loved. And she gave up some phenomenal questions for our midwife. I hope that helps!
Here is the list I created for interviews, compiled from DONA's website and some others. We didn't go through it in a formal way, we just chatted but this helped guide me and ask follow-up questions when needed. She covered almost all of the questions on her own.
Background and Philosophy
Why did you become a doula?
What training have you had? What was required in order to receive any certifications?
How many births have you attended?
Are you familiar with (name of birthing locavion)?
Are you familiar with how (my strict HMO) does births?
Tell us about some of your birthing experiences with clients.
Can you give an example of a time when an intervention was truly necessary and how that decision-making process went? What about a time when the parents declined an intervention?
Which labor-coping techniques do you think tend to be the most helpful?
What is your experience with the (our birthing method)?
Are your familiar with dealing with (my unique health issues)?
Business Details
Do you have a backup arrangement with another doula? How many times have you used her? Under what circumstances? How will you communicate our wishes to her in the event of an emergency where you cannot make it?
What if I deliver early or late when you are on-call for other clients?
What's your fee? What does your fee cover? How many visits or hours? What's your refund policy?
What do you expect from us? (Contract, questionnaires, birth plan, etc.)
Preparation
Do our visions align? (Ours: Healthy baby, healthy mom but birth preferences (talk through them if appropriate)
May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
How would you work with and involve my partner?
Birth
How do we get in touch with you when labor begins?
When would you join me during labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth?
How would you coach us through deciding on interventions?
Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
Overall impressions
Do I feel comfortable around this person? Does DH?
Is she warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable?
Does she communicate and listen well?
Will she support my choices or does she have her own agenda?
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