Doula consults- What the heck do I ask?
Wondering about what you should ask during the doula consults you set up? Maybe you’re like me and you have a billion questions that you forget the second you need to ask them.
Well look no further, here is a starting list that you can ask and why you should ask it.
At the end of this blog post, there is a condensed list that you can screenshot, print, scribble all over, add questions to or do whatever else you need to do to get the questions you have answered while meeting with some birth workers!
How long have you been a doula? Birth Workers who have been around longer typically have seen a larger variety of births, encountered more unique scenarios and worked with a variety of different care providers. But experience isn’t everything. There are newer doulas who give it their all and know their stuff too. It just comes down to what you and your partner are looking for.
Why did you become a doula? This gives you a little more insight into why we do what we do. Some of us, like myself, experienced a traumatic birth with a previous pregnancy and wanted to be a positive change in the birth work. Some of us just really love birth and the support we can provide to others! There are no wrong answers here, but it may give you a connection point with the doula you are consulting with
What would you say your doula style is? Laid-back? Take Charge? Body Prep? This ties back into what values you have as a person and what you are looking for in a doula. You may be someone who doesn’t want to think about what to do next so you want a doula who will get you to do all of the things. Maybe you want someone who focuses a lot on body prep prenatally. Just some little things to think about!
When do you go on-call for me? Every doula is a little bit different with this, but for most, you can expect around the 38-week mark. As a follow-up to this, you’ll want to ask what happens if you give birth outside of their call time!
Do you work with backup doulas? Can I pick my backup or do you pick? Life happens. Sometimes doulas get sick, sometimes they have commitments they have to be present for! Find out how their process works if they’re unable to attend for whatever reason.
How do you encourage/teach/support partners to be involved with the process? Some partners really want to be involved and be hands-on, and some would prefer to be the gentle holding-space type while their doula does the physical support. A good doula will do everything they can to facilitate and encourage partner support if you and your partner are wanting too!
Do you take payment plans? Payment for birth support varies significantly. Some of us require a retainer, some take payment plans, and some will even barter/trade services with you! Ask about your options and what is expected before you get to contract signing.
Do you advocate for us if we need it? Again this varies from doula to doula. Some training organizations discourage direct advocacy and encourage the birth worker to instead empower the birthing couple prenatally so they can advocate for themselves. Sometimes the birthing couple can feel as if they don’t have a voice in their care and needs a birth worker who is able to speak up (professionally) if they need it.
Again, this isn’t an exhaustive list of things you should or could ask! But it definitely gets the wheels turning! As promised, here is the condensed/easy-to-screenshot list!
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