Hellobee Boards

- How many of your clients end up getting c-sections?
- How many clients come to you with the hopes of having an unmedicated birth? Of those, how many are actually successful in doing so?
- Will you be able to come to our apartment when I go into labor, before we go to the hospital?
- What will our meeting schedule/contact schedule look like before I go into labor (will we meet in person? Talk on the phone? etc)
- How many births have you attended?
- Are you open to/knowledgeable about using homeopathic methods to help "jumpstart" labor (red raspberry tea, evening primrose oil, etc)?
- What do you see as your role during the birth?

I was referred to our doula by a friend. we didn't really have too many specific questions. a lot were similar to @hilsy85 but it was more to see her personality and what it was like to just be around her. My friend who used her mentioned that she was iffy because the doula herself had never had children. However now having had my own child and some scary moments in the delivery room, I dont know that I could be a doula and stay calm in that situation if I had been through it myself.

We ended up setting up meetings with 4 doulas/doula groups. We found our doula on the second interview. She ended up being pretty pricey, but she came highly recommended, both from our midwife group and other clients! We also feel like we clicked with her personality.

We asked questions about the following:
1. Amount/type of prenatal support (visits, phone calls, emails)?
2. Number of births assisted? Years experience?
3. Number of clients per month?
4. Back-up plan (in case of doula's illness, etc)?
5. Type of labor support (at home? in hospital)? Role during birth?
6. Referrals or reviews?
7. What does she look for in a potential client?
8. Any preferred method of labor assistance (hypnobabies, Bradley, etc)?
9. Will she take photos at birth?
10. Amount and type of postnatal support? Breastfeeding support?
11. How much experience with our hospital/birthing center/delivery group?
12. Accreditation?
13. Price?

http://www.doulamatch.net is a good place to start looking for doulas.

I would ask:

- Do you have a specific philosophy about birth that leads how you practice, or do you tailor your care to each parent and the choices they have made? (It's very important to find someone who isn't going to bring an "agenda" into the room, but instead serves as a support for whatever decisions YOU make.)

- Are you comfortable with supporting a mother who is planning on an epidural or is having a c-section? (Even if you aren't, you want a doula who will support you in whatever you choose, not refuse support if you do something she doesn't agree with)

- How do you interact with the hospital staff? (You want someone who will be firm in supporting your choices, but not disrespectful or confrontational)

- How many meeting will be have before and after my birth? (standard is 2-3 prenatal meetings and 1 postpartum visit)

- If you for some reason don't make it to my birth, will you reimburse part of my fee? (You shouldn't expect the doula to refund the entire amount because she had to keep that space open for you and take no other clients for that time period, but many doulas will reimburse a portion if they don't make it)

- Do you have a backup doula you work with in case you cannot make it to my birth for some reason? (sickness, two clients at once, etc)

- How many clients do you schedule during any given month? (It typically varies between 2-4, it shouldn't be more than 4 or she risks having two clients in labor at once)

- How many hours do you work before needing a break? (Some doulas need a break for a nap/food every few hours, this should be settled before your birth)

I wouldn't care if the doula has had children or not, it really doesn't make a huge difference in how they work. Experience and passion are much more important.

@hilsy85: Does she attend c-sections? Because having a doula at your c-section can still be great. She can stay with you while your husband goes with the baby to the nursery, talk you though what is happening, take pictures, and help you with breastfeeding after the birth.
Not as necessary as during a vaginal delivery, but still helpful.

If I had to have a c-section, I'd still have a doula!

@MamaMoose: DH thought this too bit I think she helped both of us so much! We took Bradley classes & DH very much wanted to be the coach and he did great. However, we had some very scary moments during labor with me & the baby an after we were ok DH had to leave to cry/throw up for about 30 mins. The doula was able to be there for me while he couldn't and then helped calm him down. She was essential for us!

@Andrea: well I was just in the same room the whole time. we had a labor nurse who was in and out. when it came time to push I had labor nurse holding one leg and helping doc, doula holding other leg and DH holding my hands. never felt crowded to me or anything

Bumping this thread up to see if anyone else has anything to add! We're beginning interviews tomorrow.

@FarmWifeGina: Thanks! That's definitely the top priority for us. We're only meeting with doulas that I hit it off with over the phone.