Post by Becky on Mar 27, 2007 14:22:37 GMT -5
Name: ______________________________________
The first question to ask a potential birth doula is whether she's available around your due date. If she is, here are some other questions you may want to ask. You can talk to the doula over the phone, but it's important to meet her in person as well to make sure you're compatible.
Be sure to click on "printable version" in the yellow box at the top of the page to get a clean, easy-to-use copy of this interview sheet to take with you.
What is your training? Are you certified?
How many births have you attended?
Are you familiar with my doctor/midwife/hospital/birth center? Have you had a good experience if you've worked with them in the past?
When would you join me during labor?
How do you feel about using pain medication during labor?
What labor coping techniques do you like to use?
How would you work with or involve my partner?
Why did you become a doula?
What's your fee? (Doulas' fees range from about $200 to $ 1,000 in some areas.)
What does your fee cover? How many visits or hours?
What's your refund policy?
Do you have anyone else due near the time I'm due? (Most doulas limit the number of clients they accept to two to four per month.)
Do you have a backup arrangement with another doula or group of doulas in case you're not free when I go into labor? Can I meet them?
Can I talk to a few of your recent clients?
After the interview, try to imagine the doula at the birth with you and see if you feel good about it. Ask yourself:
• Do I feel comfortable around this person?
• Is she warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable?
• Does she communicate and listen well?
• Will she support my choices or does she have her own agenda?
It's also a good idea to check a few references. Ask what they liked most about the doula and whether there's anything they wished she had done differently.
The first question to ask a potential birth doula is whether she's available around your due date. If she is, here are some other questions you may want to ask. You can talk to the doula over the phone, but it's important to meet her in person as well to make sure you're compatible.
Be sure to click on "printable version" in the yellow box at the top of the page to get a clean, easy-to-use copy of this interview sheet to take with you.
What is your training? Are you certified?
How many births have you attended?
Are you familiar with my doctor/midwife/hospital/birth center? Have you had a good experience if you've worked with them in the past?
When would you join me during labor?
How do you feel about using pain medication during labor?
What labor coping techniques do you like to use?
How would you work with or involve my partner?
Why did you become a doula?
What's your fee? (Doulas' fees range from about $200 to $ 1,000 in some areas.)
What does your fee cover? How many visits or hours?
What's your refund policy?
Do you have anyone else due near the time I'm due? (Most doulas limit the number of clients they accept to two to four per month.)
Do you have a backup arrangement with another doula or group of doulas in case you're not free when I go into labor? Can I meet them?
Can I talk to a few of your recent clients?
After the interview, try to imagine the doula at the birth with you and see if you feel good about it. Ask yourself:
• Do I feel comfortable around this person?
• Is she warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable?
• Does she communicate and listen well?
• Will she support my choices or does she have her own agenda?
It's also a good idea to check a few references. Ask what they liked most about the doula and whether there's anything they wished she had done differently.
