how to hire a birth doula
Hiring a birth doula is an important step towards building your birth team! For people who are first time parents, or perhaps anxious parents, or parents with previous birth trauma, it can be dauting to know how to find the right person.
As a birth doula myself, there are a few things that I always hope families keep in mind.
Doulas are not midwives.
Understanding the difference between them is important. In a nutshell, midwives catch and doulas coach. (Check out my previous blog post here about the differences if you have more questions.)
Hire a doula that you genuinely like and feel a connection with.
Birth is intimate and sacred, and the people that you invite into that experience with you should hold that space and be able to make you feel at home and comfortable with their presence. It is okay to not hire a doula based on a feeling or being rubbed the wrong way. I sincerely hope that every client of mine that trusts me to attend their birth feels safe and secure in my presence.
Doulas work with clients in all walks of life, in all birthing situations, and all birthing locations.
Many doulas have specialties, for instance, I specialize in hospital birth for high risk pregnancies and deliveries. I also have a special place in my practice for parents with anxiety surrounding labor and delivery. However, I am equally comfortable working in homes, birth centers, and for low risk pregnancies.
If you are planning a home birth and want a doula experienced in that environment, or you know you want a hospital birth with an epidural, ask each doula you interview what their specialties are, and where they excel. You’ll find your person.
Interview several doulas.
The best way to find the right fit is to interview more than one doula in your area. You can do a google search for local doulas, ask friends who have had babies who they used, check in with your care provider, or even ask in local mom groups for recommendations. Schedule at least two interviews, but three or four is even better. That way, you can get a feeling for what is available to you, and after all the interviews are done, there will be the one that stands out as your person.
A quick word about doula costs
Every doula sets their packages and prices according to their own business practices and needs. There are also some geographic areas that have higher costs of living, and doula rates will reflect this. Most doulas are self-employed, and for those that work full time, being a doula is their sole income.
If a certain doula has prices outside of your price range, there are several things you can do. Some insurances cover doula support, including Medicaid in several states. There are options like Carrot Insurance, Tricare (for military families), and Be Her Village, a crowdfunding platform that allows you to add doula support to your baby registry.
If none of these options work for you, you are always free to ask the doula if she knows if any other options in your area that are within your price range. Chances are, she does.
Looking for additional servides?
Many doulas are multi-taskers, and will offer additional services such as birth photography, childbirth education, placenta services, massage, etc.
At the end of the day, your doula is going to be on hand supporting you and your partner through one of the most intense and amazing experiences that you will ever have. If you’re in the Anchorage, Alaska area, I hope that I am on the list of doulas that you consider!
Christine Rogers is a birth, postpartum, and bereavement doula and childbirth educator. She is the owner/operator of Draw Near Doula Services and serves in-person in Anchorage, Eagle River and the Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska. A mom of four, she works hard to ensure every client she serves has a positive and empowering birth experience. She can be reached online at www.drawneardoula.com, or emailed directly at drawneardoula@gmail.com.
Looking for more birth planning resources? Check out my free Birth Preferences Worksheet and free Guide to Choosing A Care Provider!
