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The following questions
will help you decide if a particular doula is right for you.
You may consider asking these questions on the phone, before
having an in-person interview.
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What training have
you had? (If a doula is certified you may consider checking
with the certifying organization.) |
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What is your
philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their
partners through labor? |
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When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our
home or do you meet us at the place of birth? |
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May we meet
with you to discuss our birth plans and the role you will
play in supporting me (us) through childbirth? |
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May we call you with questions or concerns before or after
the birth? |
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Do you meet
with me (us) after the birth to review the labor and answer
questions? |
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Do you work with one or more backup doulas for times when
you are not available? May we meet her/them? |
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What is your
fee, what does it include, and what are your refund policies? |
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Can you provide references? (Be sure to check the references.) |
When you meet the doula (and it is a good idea for both you
and your partner to meet her), pay particular attention to
your personal perceptions of the doula. Is she kind, warm,
enthusiastic? Is she knowledgeable? Does she communicate well?
Is she a good listener? Is she comfortable with your choices
or does she seem to have her own agenda? Do you feel comfortable
with her?
The way you feel with her may be more important than the
number of births she has attended. You may want to interview
more than one doula and make a comparison to help you find
the doula who is right for you.
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