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How to find, interview and choose a birth doula. |
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by EmmaBella  (September 2006) (rank 500+) |
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There are many different organizations that certify doulas and they are usually the best place to start your search:
- DONA (Doulas of North America) http://www.dona.org/mothers/find_a_doula.php
- CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Organization) http://cappa.net/members.asp
- ALACE (Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators) http://www.alace.org
- ICEA (International Childbirth Education Association) http://www.icea.org/exparents_doulas.html
- BirthWorks International http://www.birthworks.com/doulas.html
Other doula directories:
- Find a Doula http://www.findadoula.com/search.php
- All Doulas http://www.alldoulas.com
- Doula Network http://www.doulanetwork.com/directory/
- Doula Guild http://www.doulaguild.com/findoula.asp
- Find a Doula Today http://www.findadoulatoday.com/birthmarket/search.asp
- Birth Partners http://birthpartners.com/Birth+Doulas
Once you have a shortlist of doulas in your area, you should call a couple and chat over the phone. Most doulas also offer a free in person consultation. It is a great opportunity to ask some basic questions and see if she is a good "fit" for you. Here are some questions to ask:
- What kind of training and education do you have? Where did you receive it?
- How many births have you attended?
- What types of birth places & attendants are you most experienced at working with (ie: OBGYNs vs Midwives)?
- What is your philosophy about birth and labor support?
- How do you involve labor partners during the birth?
- How do you feel about using pain medication during labor?
- Will you help us develop or refine our birth plan?
- Do you have a back up or partner? Can we meet her?
- Can I talk to a few of your recent clients?
- What does your fee include and what are your payment policies?
After the interview take some time to imagine what it might be like to have this particular woman as your birth doula. Did she listen to you and answer your questions confidently? Was her personality compatible with yours? Your intuition is the best predictor of whether a doula is a good fit for you, not necessarily the number of births she has attended
