How to Hire a Doula

Your doula is an intimate part of your pregnancy and birth experience. Look for someone you feel comfortable with and someone you trust. That vibe is more important than any particular training or qualification. The most experienced doula still might not be a good fit for you!

When to Hire

There’s no magic moment! Generally, before 32 weeks is ideal to build a strong relationship and make the most of the support you’re investing in.

If you know you want to work with someone specific, you might want to hire them as early as first trimester. Similarly, if you know you want extra support in pregnancy due to, for example, high anxiety, pregnancy complications, or previous medical trauma that makes birth challenging then you might want to find secure support earlier.

If you wait too long, you might find that it’s harder to find someone with availability for your due date. And, if your due date is during August, or around a major holiday, more doula’s might be taking that time off and you’ll want to secure support sooner.

Questions you can ask when interviewing a doula:

• Tell me about why you became a doula.

• What is your birth philosophy?

• What kind of training and experience do you have?

• How would you support me before birth in pregnancy?

• How do you work with my spouse/partner?

• When would you join me in labor?

• What kind of comfort measures can you help me with?

• I really want XXX to be part of my birthing experience...how will you support me in that?

• What if something unexpected happens...how will you help us navigate that?

• How will you support us after baby is born?

• How do you work with the rest of my care team?

Red Flags

• Someone who makes you uncomfortable—either because of something specific they say, or just a general vibe that doesn’t work. You need to feel comfortable around your doula to enjoy receiving support from them.

• Someone who speaks in stereotypes about a care provider or type of intervention. “Hospital staff always…” or “Epidurals never…” or “You have to do…”

• Someone who is flaky for scheduling or the interview—you want to be absolutely sure that when you need your doula, they’re going to be available for you.

• Someone who gives any kind of medical advice and/or offers to do clinical tasks. Doulas are not medically trained, and it’s dangerous for any doula to act otherwise.