Hire in Doula

You’ve read the studies that show that women who hire doulas have fewer problems and request fewer pain relievers than women who don’t. She has talked with her midwife about the benefits of professional labor support and understands how she fits into her birthing team. Now that he’s ready to hire a doula, she’s probably wondering where to start.

find a doula

Three to four months before your due date, start looking at directories and databases on the Internet. Organizations that certify professional job support, such as DONA, CAPPA Canada, or DoulaUK, usually have a referral service that you can use to get local names. Web directories, such as the Natural Childbirth Directory, list websites for childbirth professionals. There are even websites like the Doula Network where professionals without websites can list their services.

There are likely several doulas working in your area that are not listed on the Internet. Ask your midwife or childbirth educator for additional recommendations. Some hospitals maintain lists of local doulas and will be happy to provide you with a list of names. You can also get referrals through mothers’ groups, La Leche League meetings, and birthing centers.

Interviewing the doulas

You should have a pretty good idea of ​​what kind of support you’re looking for. A brief phone interview can let you know if individual doulas are a potential option. Start by asking her if she is available for your due date and place of birth. If so, move on to questions about your philosophy of childbirth and what your perception is of your role during labor. Be sure to also ask him about any additional services he can provide, such as a belly cast or private job classes. Some doulas include additional services in their fee, others charge a lower fee but provide additional services separately.

Pay special attention to the personality of the doulas you interview. How well his personality meshes with yours is perhaps more important than his experience. If you think she talks too much or is having a hard time getting her to talk, she’s not the doula for you. If you think you laugh too much or don’t have a sense of humor, she’s not the doula for you. You should feel comfortable with her, trust her advice, and feel empowered to achieve your goals.

trading fee

After your interviews, you should have a list of no more than three doulas that you would like to hire. Call your first choice to let her know you’d like to hire her and discuss her fee. There is a wide range of fees charged by employment support professionals. Those that provide more services or are located in more expensive areas generally charge more. Before you decide that your fee is unreasonable, consider how much of your time it will buy. You’ll probably have at least one prenatal and one postnatal visit in addition to the 5 to 10 hours you may need during labor. He’s also paying to have her on call day and night, which means he knows she’s organizing a month or more of her life to be available when she goes into labor.

If you can’t afford your fare, ask if they have a sliding scale and if you qualify for a lower fare. You can also ask her if she is training doulas who are willing to provide services at a discount. Ask her if she’s willing to barter for part of her fare. She can reduce her fee by referring other clients; donating used pregnancy books to your library; provide a copy of her birth video for your library or similar services. If you can’t negotiate a rate you can afford, call your second choice.

Sign a contract

Your doula should ask you to sign a contract for her services. Having your responsibilities and expectations in writing helps avoid confusion later. The contract should cover the basic information about your agreement: how much it will pay you and when; when and how to reach her in labor; and any other services that she has agreed to.

Make sure you know how to contact her if you have a question and if you prefer to be contacted for non-emergency questions in a particular way. She should give you instructions on how to borrow books and videos from her lending library. If you have prenatal or postpartum visits scheduled, the contract may also include what will be covered during those meetings.

The process of hiring a doula will take time. However, the benefits of having professional employment support make it worth the work.