Interview Questions to Hire a Doula in Charlotte, NC
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOULA SEARCH
OK! Have you been convinced to hire a doula in Charlotte, NC yet? You know for sure you must have a doula on your birth team? Awesome. Now, there are lots of great questions you should ask when interviewing a doula because not all doulas operate the same way! Most doulas (like me) offer a free consultation where you can either chat on the phone, online, or sit down and get to know them. Making a personal connection with your doula is the most important criteria to check off. There are still a few questions you will want to ask to be sure you are making the right choice.
Do you work in an agency, concierge, or with a backup doula? I’d love to hear about your team. Am I able to meet or communicate with my backup doula in advance?
This one is super important. If you’re going to invest in a doula, you’d better have a doula show up at your birth!
Your doula should either work as part of a team or have a solid backup system in place. This is so that if she falls ill, or is already at another labor when you call, you will still have the support of a trusted doula when you need it.
When do you go on call for me?
Not all doulas go on-call at the same time. You will want to know when your doula guarantees a presence at your labor. Especially if you have a history of early term or premature labor – your doula should be able to give you a time frame of being on high alert for you to go into labor that makes you feel comfortable. Make sure this is protected in your contract. Which leads us to…
Do you have a contract?
A professional doula should have a legal contract which clearly outlines their responsibilities, your responsibilities, payment information, and refund policy if any. The amount of time between when you request their in person support and when they arrive for in person support should also be outlined in the contract. You should be able to take the time to read and understand it thoroughly before signing and paying. A good contract protects and sets good boundaries for both you and your doula.
What is included in the package?
Some doulas have varying package levels for their services to fit your budget (from basic to luxury). Ask for a clear outline of what you will receive when you choose one of their packages, and what it will look like to work with them. Most doulas offer at least one prenatal meeting, labor support, and a postpartum home visit, but the exact perimeters of the service should be explained. Add on services might include pampering packages, massages, yoga, monthly trainings, bengkung belly binding, online Facebook groups, books, art, oils, photography, placenta encapsulation services, postpartum doula services. Each doula has special gifts, talents, passions and offerings they bring to their packages.
My birth plan includes ______ (insert your choice here: epidural, unmedicated birth, cesarean birth breastfeeding, etc.). What are your thoughts?
A professional doula is trained to support all different types of parenting and birthing methods without a personal agenda. Doulas come from all different backgrounds and may have plenty of opinions on how to birth and raise their own children. They should recognize that each family is unique. As the authority of your own baby, your plans and desires should be respected and supported without bias or judgment.
Additional questions you may want to ask can include:
How do you handle stressful situations such as an unplanned emergency cesarean?
What specific trainings, courses or background such as in Spinning Babies, rebozo techniques, VBAC, etc do you have?
How long have you been a doula and who did you train through? How many births have you attended?
Ask yourself if you have a religious, cultural, primary language, ethnicity preference for the doula you choose. Craft questions accordingly.
What made you want to become a doula and what is your favorite part of your job?
Do you have good standing relationships with local providers?
Are you able to offer support to my partner, and what exactly does that look like?
What do we discuss during the prenatal appointments?
Walk me through working with you from start to finish? What does it look like to be your client?
Are you trained in basic lactation support and postpartum mood disorders?
Do you offer placenta encapsulation?
Do you offer postpartum support and/or are you a certified postpartum doula?
Do you have another job? Childcare? How long will it take you to reach me in labor?
What are your fees and when are they due?
What do you feel like you bring to your clients’ births that is unique?
These questions are meant to affirm and validate your gut feeling of liking and feeling comfortable with a potential doula. Once you feel secure in the nonjudgmental, professional, and compassionate support of your doula, you will feel so much more at ease throughout the remainder of your pregnancy – and even look forward to your birthing time with her/them at your side. I promise! I had a doula too!