Wondering what questions to ask when hiring a doula?
I’ve probably been interviewed hundreds of times as a potential doula. Many times I’m the chosen one (yay!) and sometimes I’m not (boo, but that’s okay. Can’t be everything for everyone) Over the years I have been asked a TON of questions. I can honestly say anytime someone is reading off a printed out list from the internet I know it will be a very dry interview.
So, stop asking generic questions and start asking the ones that will actually tell you what you need to know. At the end of the day, you’re looking for the person who will be the best fit to be present at one of the most (THE most?!) vulnerable and important moments of your life. You want them to be the perfect fit. What are you looking for? Do you think the answer lies in whether they’ve attended 25 births or 75 births is it? NO!
Here are my 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Doula:
Instead of asking “how many births have you attended?” ask about the types of births they’ve attended, and find out about how they handled a difficult experience.
2)Who are some of your favourite clients to work with and what made them so special? Why did you enjoy working with them?
Everyone has ideal clients, and you want to be the ideal person for your doula, just like you want your doula to be the perfect match for you. See who they’ve enjoyed working with for a glimpse into their world. Maybe this will tell you a LOT about their approach and the type of birth they like to attend.
3)How do you handle situations like illness or overlap? What happens if you can’t attend my birth?
Okay this is actually the most common question asked and I actually think it’s great. Being a practical person I would want to know as well! What’s the plan? Do they have one or are they going to come up with something and tell you about it later on?
4)We are hiring a doula because _____ (we want an unmedicated birth, we have no family or outside support, we are scared of hospitals and don’t want something bad to happen, we wanted a home birth but couldn’t, etc) How can YOU specifically help us with that?
People hire doulas for many reasons. Some want help advocating, others want support navigating the medical system, some people want to avoid pain medication, and others need emotional support. Every doula has different strengths and brings different skills to the table. Do your needs match with what they can provide?
5)What would you consider your greatest quality as a doula?
Give your potential doula a moment to toot their horn and tell you about themselves. If what they feel they bring to the table is exactly what you’re looking for- great! If not, maybe it isn’t such a good fit. My answer: I’m grounded, and calm when others are stressed. I am fiercely protective and will absolutely advocate for you and your wishes.
If you’re looking for support in Montreal or want virtual support from us, let us know! We’re here to help.
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