finding the right doula for you

While searching out a doula (childbirth and labour support provider) that is right for you and your needs, you may wonder what types of questions you should ask your doula-to-be. We encourage you to arrange a free consultation with individual doulas to get a feel for their personality, knowledge base and skills.

To discover the specific training, experience and services offered by anyone who provides labour support, potential clients should ask the following questions:

• What training have you had?
• Tell me about your experience with birth, personally and professionally as a Doula.
• How many births have you attended?
• Do you have any letters of recommendations or evaluations that I may see?
• What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labour?
• How do you feel about the use of pain medications for labour and birth?
• May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me through childbirth?
• May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
• When do you try to join women in labour? Do you come to our home, or meet us at the hospital?
• Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labour and answer questions?
• Do you work with one or more back up Doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet them?
• What is your fee? Do you offer a sliding-scale if we require?

NOTE: You may wish to write down your expectations for each question to clarify what you're looking for in your doula. Spend some time talking with other parents, reading books and 'shopping around' so you are satisfied that you have found the doula for you. Not all doulas provide the same services and both the personality and the level of experience will vary greatly between doulas.

birth positive ™ doula services include a free initial consultation, so please feel free to contact us if you're looking for a doula in the London, Ontario area. (Also Strathroy, Mount Brydges,...).

Some of our own answers to the above questions can also be found on this web site. Find out out more about our philosophy, our prenatal, labour and childbirth, and postpartum services, and our individual doulas, including their qualifications and experience. Then, give us a call or email for a no-obligation first meeting.

We look forward to hearing from you!