Questions to Ask Doulas
Essential questions to help you find the right doula for your birth experience, understand their approach, and ensure you feel supported throughout your pregnancy and delivery.
1What's your philosophy on birth and how do you support different birth preferences?
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What's your philosophy on birth and how do you support different birth preferences?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to birth and helps you understand if their philosophy aligns with your birth goals and preferences.
2What training and certifications do you have?
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What training and certifications do you have?
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Why this works
Ensures you understand their qualifications and helps you evaluate their professional background and expertise.
3How many births have you attended and what's your experience with different types of births?
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How many births have you attended and what's your experience with different types of births?
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Why this works
Shows their experience level and helps you understand their familiarity with various birth scenarios and complications.
4What's included in your doula services and what are your fees?
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What's included in your doula services and what are your fees?
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Why this works
Clarifies the scope of services and helps you understand the financial commitment and what support you'll receive.
5How do you work with medical staff and what's your relationship with hospitals?
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How do you work with medical staff and what's your relationship with hospitals?
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Why this works
Shows their ability to collaborate with healthcare providers and helps you understand how they navigate the medical system.
6What's your approach to pain management and comfort measures?
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What's your approach to pain management and comfort measures?
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Why this works
Reveals their techniques for supporting you during labor and helps you understand their approach to natural pain relief.
7How do you support partners and family members during birth?
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How do you support partners and family members during birth?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to involving your support team and helps you understand how they work with your loved ones.
8What's your availability and backup plan if you can't attend my birth?
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What's your availability and backup plan if you can't attend my birth?
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Why this works
Ensures you have continuous support and helps you understand their reliability and contingency planning.
9How do you handle unexpected complications or changes in birth plans?
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How do you handle unexpected complications or changes in birth plans?
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Why this works
Shows their flexibility and helps you understand how they adapt to changing circumstances during labor and delivery.
10What postpartum support do you provide?
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What postpartum support do you provide?
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Why this works
Reveals the extent of their services and helps you understand what support you'll receive after the birth.
11How do you communicate with clients and what's your response time?
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How do you communicate with clients and what's your response time?
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Why this works
Shows their availability and helps you understand how accessible they'll be for questions and concerns.
12What's your experience with different birth settings (hospital, birth center, home)?
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What's your experience with different birth settings (hospital, birth center, home)?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their familiarity with your chosen birth location and their comfort level in different settings.
13How do you support clients who want to avoid medical interventions?
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How do you support clients who want to avoid medical interventions?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to natural birth and helps you understand their techniques for supporting unmedicated births.
14What's your philosophy on breastfeeding and newborn care?
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What's your philosophy on breastfeeding and newborn care?
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Why this works
Reveals their approach to postpartum care and helps you understand their support for feeding and newborn care.
15How do you handle situations where medical staff and your client have different preferences?
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How do you handle situations where medical staff and your client have different preferences?
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Why this works
Shows their advocacy skills and helps you understand how they navigate conflicts between your wishes and medical recommendations.
16What resources and referrals do you provide for pregnancy and parenting?
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What resources and referrals do you provide for pregnancy and parenting?
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Why this works
Reveals their network and helps you understand what additional support and resources they can connect you with.
17How do you support clients with anxiety or fear about birth?
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How do you support clients with anxiety or fear about birth?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to emotional support and helps you understand how they address birth-related fears and concerns.
18What's your experience with high-risk pregnancies or special circumstances?
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What's your experience with high-risk pregnancies or special circumstances?
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Why this works
Helps you understand their experience with complex situations and their ability to provide appropriate support.
19How do you help clients prepare for birth and what education do you provide?
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How do you help clients prepare for birth and what education do you provide?
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Why this works
Shows their approach to birth preparation and helps you understand what education and preparation they offer.
20What makes you different from other doulas and why should I choose you?
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What makes you different from other doulas and why should I choose you?
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Why this works
Reveals their unique qualities and helps you understand what sets them apart from other doula options.
Best Practices for Choosing a Doula
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Trust Your Instincts
Choose a doula you feel comfortable with and who aligns with your values and birth preferences. Trust is crucial for a positive birth experience.
Ask About Their Philosophy
Make sure their approach to birth aligns with your goals and preferences, whether you want a natural birth or are open to medical interventions.
Understand Their Role
Clarify what services they provide and what they don't, ensuring you have realistic expectations about their support.
Question Sequences
The Philosophy Sequence
The Experience Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Choose Based Only on Price
While cost is important, prioritize finding a doula whose philosophy and approach align with your needs and preferences.
Don't Assume All Doulas Are the Same
Each doula has different training, experience, and approaches. Ask specific questions to understand their unique style and qualifications.
Don't Wait Too Long to Hire
Good doulas book up quickly, especially during peak seasons. Start your search early to ensure you have options.