We didn’t have a doula during my first pregnancy. I really, really, really wish we had. My doula might have advised me not to allow the OB to strip my membranes (or at least told me what that meant!). My doula might have suggested some positions in hopes of turning my breech Emmy, rather than signing off on a C-section. My doula might have suggested I look in to other doctors in the area…
Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.
Now that I’m a whopping 6 weeks pregnant, I’m working on my list of local doulas that I plan on phone interviewing. From there, I’ll meet with the ones I like the best, and hopefully, pick a doula! 1-2-3. Easy as pie 
ICAN of Louisville held a meeting in June on how to choose a care provider, doula, and childbirth educator. While my part of the presentation was choosing the care provider, I’ll go ahead and copy the Questions to ask a doula here for my loyal readers. If you need a refresher course on what a doula is and why you need one, read Guinever’s blog entry.
Decide
A few things to ask yourself before you begin to interview doulas:
Do we want a doula with a particular religious/spiritual persuasion?
Is it important that this person have experience in assisting first time or VBAC moms?
Is it important to us that this person has given birth herself?
Am I intending to have a natural birth? At home or in the hospital?
Ask
Practical Questions to ask when interviewing a birth doula
What training have you had? How many births have you attended?
Have you attended VBACs? What do you know and believe about VBACs? (if applicable)
What is your fee and what does it include (prenatal/postpartum visits)? Do you have a sliding scale or are other arrangements available?
Do you have a backup doula for times when you are not available? May we meet her?
Are you available around my due date (from 37 – 43 weeks)?
May we contact references?
Will you provide labor support at our home prior to going to the hospital?
How long does it take for you to get here/to the hospital?
How long after the birth will you stay with us?
Other good questions to ask
What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
What do you think is the most important part of your job?
What do you think the father’s role should be during labor?
Have you ever worked with my care-provider or at my place of birth?
What is your understanding of your relationship with the hospital staff? How might you handle conflict with the medical team?
What are some examples of things you cannot/will not do at a birth?
Notice
Questions to ask yourself after your interview
Did you “click”?
Did your husband feel comfortable with her?
Was she kind, warm, enthusiastic?
Was she knowledgeable?
Did she seem reliable and responsible?
Was she a good listener?
Did she seem supportive of my birth plan?
