Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Doula

Doulas support you before, during, and after birth, including prenatal guidance, labor support, postpartum help, and specialized care for unique situations.

Before hiring, it’s important to schedule a consultation during which you can discuss the following:

• Connection & Compatibility:

  • What do you love most about being a doula?

  • What made you choose this line of work?

  • What makes your support style unique?

  • What do past clients say about working with you?

  • Is there anything you need from us to best support our birth?

• Training & Certification:

  • Where did you train?

  • Are you certified?

  • Do you have any additional certifications?

• Experience:

  • Do you have experience with my planned birth setting (hospital, birth center, home birth)?

  • Have you supported clients with similar goals or circumstances (VBAC, induction, cesarean, high-risk pregnancy)?

  • How many births have you attended?

• Approach:

  • How would you describe your approach to birth?

  • How do you support clients with different or changing birth plans?

  • How do you balance supporting the birthing person and their partner?

  • What methods do you use for pain management?

  • How do you help create and advocate for my birth plan?

• Services & Packages: What’s included, e.g. prenatal visits, postpartum support, consultations?

• Fees & Payment: What are your rates and payment schedule?

Finding the right doula is about trust, connection, and feeling genuinely supported at every step. Often, your intuition will guide you — you’ll simply feel when you’ve met the doula who is the right fit for you.