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June 2014 Moms
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Doula interview questions

crossfitkiwicrossfitkiwi member
in June 2014 Moms
We signed up for birthing classes last week (starting March 16) and this week I'm meeting a few doulas. I'm doing no nursery planning until May (trying to focus on work) so it's exciting to get these couple of things sorted.

These are some of the questions I have jotted down to ask. I'd love to know your thoughts on anything to add/remove...
  • Tell me about your experience as a doula…
  • How long have you worked as a doula for?
  • How many births have you attended?
  • How many women do you work with per month?
  • Do you work with backup doulas for times when you are not available? How often do you typically need to call on them?
  • Experience with deliveries at my chosen hospital? What do you think of the hospital?
  • When do you try to join women in labor? Home or hospital?
  • Experience with home births? (I'm not having a home birth but want to stay home as long as I can).
  • What is your fee, what does it include?
  • What training & education do you have?
  • Describe your role in my birthing. What exactly will you do?
  • How will you handle me if I ‘think’ I can’t do it anymore / ask for an epidural?
  • What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
  • How do you work with husbands?
  • Are there any specific pain management philosophies you are experienced in? e.g. lamaze, bradly, hypnobabies, massage, music etc.
  • What other services do you offer? Lactation support, Placenta encapsulation etc.

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Re: Doula interview questions

  • MrsCase1MrsCase1 member
    Excellent questions. If I had the money I would totally hire a doula!
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  • SitinpretySitinprety member
    Great questions!! I would also ask about how many sessions they expect you to have, and what you will talk about at each session. Will s/he provide any services once baby is home?
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  • SarainColorado2013SarainColorado2013 member
    Really good list of questions. We have been interviewing doulas and I think a lot of it just comes down to the feeling you get about a person. Most of the ones I have talked to have had similar answers but I get a different vibe from some, just personality-wise. I need to trust that the person is experienced, will give us solid, evidence-based information, and feel comfortable enough with them that I can imagine them being part of such an intimate time, which is just a gut feeling. I think you can ask for references too if you want to talk to women who have hired them.


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    Married June 2012
    TTC since February 2013
    MC @ 7 weeks July 2013
    BFP Oct 2013 - EDD June 7 2014!

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  • tbmadeamistaketbmadeamistake member

    Great questions!  I went with a doula last time, won't be this time. Make sure you ask if she'll "practice" pain management techniques with you.  Mine said she knew all of them, and when it came right down it did nothing other than stroke my shoulder until I pushed her away and called my husband closer.  I don't like being stroked.  Personal experience, not all of them are like that. 

    Also of note is that a doula can work WITH you at the hospital to make sure you are being listened to, but they cannot advocate FOR you.  They are not allowed to make requests or turn down procedures on your behalf, as they are not related and it's against HIPPA regs.  Just something to think about as I see a lot of women say, "Oh, my doula will make sure no one does any of the interventions that I don't want, I won't have to say anything." She can give you the right words to use, she can help you deal with the pain, but she cannot tell a nurse/doctor/whomever about your choice medically, you will still have to do that. 

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

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