The Most Important Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Doula

I hope these interview questions help you in choosing your doula! This is exactly what we used to choose the doula we ended up hiring, and it was an amazing experience. You’ll find that the best doulas often answer your questions before you even ask them. While these questions serve as a guide, it’s just as important to consider how you’d like them to be answered!

Interview Questions When Choosing Your Doula

• What does working with you look like?
• Can you walk us through the support you offer? (e.g., during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum; in-person visits; lactation support; birth plan guidance)
• On the day of delivery, when will you be available? (e.g., at all hours, when contractions start, upon hospital arrival, or for laboring at home)
• What happens if I give birth a few weeks early or late? Does that change anything?
• Do you have a backup doula?
• How do you support and advocate for the mother during labor?
• What happens if we need to deviate from the birth plan? (e.g., unexpected c-section or medical interventions)
• What is your perspective on the non-laboring partner’s role during labor?
• Have you worked at [Hospital XYZ] before?
• How do you handle situations where the midwives or laboring person want to change the birth plan?
• Will you help us create our birth plan?
• What is your fee?

The Most Important Question: Trusting Your Instincts

At the end of the day, the most important question is your own gut check: Do I like this doula’s energy? Do I feel like we’ll get along?

You’ll be sharing a deeply intimate moment with them, so both you and your partner should feel comfortable with their presence. If you’re feeling nervous about the call or meeting, remember that doulas are professionals—they’ve likely answered these questions hundreds of times. They’ll probably guide the conversation by asking you questions, too.

Good luck, mama, and congratulations!

Other Resources

If you’re new to the world of doulas, you might want to read about my personal experience with District Doulas. Hopefully this gives you some ideas about what you want or don’t want! Here are the doula services I reached out to:

• Balanced Bellies
• District Doulas