https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:22:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2377487 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:53:54 +0000 Autumnmama79 2377487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to update after having our first meeting today!</p> <p>This was an informal chat over tea. We talked about my previous labour and delivery. We talked about the hospital I'll be delivering at, diff than last time. We chatted about what her role will be throughout my pregnancy and L &amp; D. She told me about her own deliveries. She let me know about some great labour focused yoga I can check out in our city. Overall it was a great meeting and I'm feeling really good about things :happy: </p> <p>Her services include unlimited phone calls and texts throughout pregnancy, two visits at our home to go over birth plan, everyone's roles, expectations, etc, there of course for all of labour and delivery, she'll come to our house as soon as contractions start which is reassuring. And then one visit post partum. </p> <p>So far I'm happy with the decision and think she'll be the support I need to have a vbac! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2374913 Tue, 01 Dec 2015 20:51:44 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2374913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: We found two doula groups in our area and will meet with them in a couple of weeks to determine the best fit. One group invited us to 3 hour meet &amp; greet, and the other group scheduled four back to back half-hour interviews. I found a bunch of top questions lists and these are the ones I plan to ask after I pair them down a bit more!</p> <p>1. Why did you become a doula?<br /> 2. What type of education and training do you have? Ex. DONA, CAPPA<br /> 3. Do you have other related training or specialties? Ex. LC, massage, nurse, childbirth educator<br /> 4. How many births have you attended? 20+<br /> 5. Do you generally work with home births or hospital births?<br /> 6. Do you have experience at my hospital? With my doctor?<br /> 7. How do you work with doctors and nurses during birth? How do you view your role, as compared to theirs?<br /> 8. When labor starts, how soon will you be with me? Do you come to our home or meet us at the hospital?<br /> 9. How far you live from my home/hospital? How much time would it take you to come when I call?<br /> 10. Do you have a backup? How does your backup relationship work?<br /> 11. What is your experience with HypnoBirth?<br /> 12. What techniques will you use to help me through labor?<br /> 13. Are there types of pain relief or interferences you do not support? Why?<br /> 14. If I were to have an epidural or cesarean how would you provide support?<br /> 15. How do you involve and interact my husband during my birth?<br /> 16. Do you have a couple references that I can call? Births within last 90 days</p> <p>Good luck with your meeting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2368100 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 11:35:37 +0000 Autumnmama79 2368100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@TrailRunner: We had to reschedule because one of her clients went into labour! So exciting. I will update after we've met :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367967 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:21:41 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2367967@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: @MoonMoon: that makes sense. I'll start the process now. The hypnobirth instructor I found is also a doula and is part of a doula group. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367643 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 22:03:38 +0000 TrailRunner 2367643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How did your meeting go? I've been looking into getting one lately. Interested to hear your experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367322 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:19:48 +0000 MoonMoon 2367322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: you're definitely right. Doulas tend to be really knowledgeable about patients' rights, the ins and outs of the hospital system, which doctors/staff to watch out for etc. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367319 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:17:31 +0000 Autumnmama79 2367319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsrain: Thanks for the link. Helpful for DH too!</p> <p>@ms.line: I think a copy is good idea, another thing I haven't thought about!</p> <p>@MoonMoon: Yes, this is exactly what I'm hoping for. I want an advocate on my side during L&amp;D. I want someone who knows and understands whats going who is also on my team.</p> <p> @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I'm 16+6, I booked her early for a couple reasons. One was to ensure availability as she's quite well known in the city and I wanted to secure my spot with her. But also because part of her service is that she offers unlimited texts and phone calls throughout the pregnancy. If we have any questions or concerns I can call/text her if theres something we're not sure about or worried about, as opposed to waiting until next dr appt. She'll be my go-to source instead of crazy google searching :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367316 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:16:35 +0000 MoonMoon 2367316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: it's never too soon, because you never know how long it will take you to find someone you click with, and when you do you'll want to make sure her schedule isn't booked around your due date! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367304 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:11:07 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2367304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: how far along are you? I'm thinking about getting a doula myself, but I'm not sure if it's too soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367298 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:08:53 +0000 MoonMoon 2367298@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: yeah! I think ideally the doula is there to support both of you, and give your DH a break if he needs it. Our doula was a great liaison with hospital staff, she was able to talk to nurses and request stuff we had no idea about, or if we were too tired/out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367204 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:06:23 +0000 ms.line 2367204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I interviewed two doulas recently, and I found that they asked ME a ton of questions! Aside from most of the "standard" questions, I also asked for a copy of their contracts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367189 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:47:07 +0000 mrsrain 2367189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Autumnmama79: a good doula will ask you what you expect her roll to be, as opposed to pushing her agenda on you. Here is a link I found helpful the first time around: <a href="http://www.dona.org/mothers/how_to_hire_a_doula.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.dona.org/mothers/how_to_hire_a_doula.php</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367168 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:38:52 +0000 Autumnmama79 2367168@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you. You brought up many things that I wouldn't have thought about! Esp about what DH's role will be during L&amp;D, I don't want him to feel pushed out in any way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367159 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:30:33 +0000 MoonMoon 2367159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any specific questions to ask, but definitely try to suss out whether she will support you in your decisions or try to push her philosophy on you, if that makes sense?</p> <p>Ask her for stories of previous births she's attended, anything unexpected that came up during them.</p> <p>Has she worked with your doctor/midwife practice before? Is she familiar with your hospital? How does she envision the role of your partner during birth?</p> <p>Does she have a backup in case you go into labor at an unexpected time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/first-meeting-with-doula#post-2367141 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:22:42 +0000 Autumnmama79 2367141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Later today I am meeting with the doula for the first time. It is an informal chat over tea but I'm just wondering what things I should be thinking about in terms of questions to ask and expectations of her I should have?</p> <p>I'm interested to hear about others' experiences with a doula. I did not have a doula for LO1. </p>