Pregnancy and childbirth have been part of women’s lives since forever. Before women started giving birth in hospitals or clinics, pregnant women gave birth at homes with the aid of midwives and the support of other female members of the family.

This tradition of birth support when women gave birth at home is where the doula that we know now comes from. A doula is a female caregiver that provides birth support to expecting mothers prior to and during birth, and the early postpartum period, especially in facilitating successful breastfeeding. 

Having a doula during pregnancy and labor increased in popularity in the 1980s in response to the increasing rate of caesarian delivery. Studies have shown that having a doula onboard your pregnancy and childbirth journey shortens the duration of labor and reduces caesarian deliveries.

First-time moms will immensely benefit from having a doula for pregnancy and birth support. Doulas are trained and experienced professionals that provide expecting moms with constant physical, emotional and informational support to help them navigate the birthing process. They can also provide the mothering that expectant mothers.

If you have a particular goal or plan for the birth of your child, you can rely on having your doula help you ensure that your wishes for the birth of your precious baby are followed. In short, having a doula generally results in having a more positive birthing experience.

How do you find the right doula? 

If you’re interested in getting a doula, you can start by asking members of your family or your network of friends. Maybe they have someone they can recommend to you or have experienced personally. If you have trouble identifying a birth support companion from among your family and friends, do not fret as you can still find the right doula for you outside of your immediate circle of support.

Finding the right doula to help provide you with support during the birthing process rests on finding the right person that you feel connected to and is aligned with your values and plans for birth. While looking through the profile of doulas in your area and the testimony of their previous clients may help you narrow down the search, talking to the doulas on your short list and asking them questions may help you zero in on the right doula for you.

What questions should you ask a doula before you hire one?

If you have narrowed down your list of doulas, the next step is getting to know each one better. Pregnancy and childbirth are deeply personal experiences and an expecting mom such as yourself would want to have someone by your side that you feel comfortable with. Asking these questions for the prospective doulas on your list may help you find the right one.

“What made you want to become a doula?”

Asking this question will help reveal the doula’s value systems and principles. This is especially important if you want a birth companion that is aligned with your own values and principles in relation to your childbirth. 

Also, you want a doula by your side that you can have a strong bond or rapport with. As an expecting mom, your sensitivity to even the smallest of things is heightened. A doula that understands and supports you is the perfect companion to provide comfort and relief when things get a bit stressful for you. 

“Do you have certification to become a doula?”

This is an important question to ask, and one you should not forget. Yes, you should ask this, even if the certifications from their various training is already be listed in their respected profiles. Certifications are one thing, but applying them is another entirely. You should probe their training further. 

For example, find out how long their last certification has been and if they regularly do re-training. A doula that is both certified and experienced will give you the assurance that you will be in good hands.

You also would want to get a sense of their competency as a doula and their particular skill set. If they specialize in an area where you need help and support, so much the better. 

“What do your past client say about you and your work?”

You could learn a lot about your prospective doula from the feedback that they get from their previous clients. Asking them about verified client testimony should help you understand how they interact, relate with, and support their clients. From these testimonies, you can get a peek into attitudes that you feel are important for a member of your birth team to have. These include patience, sensitivity, groundedness, patience, calm, and empathy.

Plus, if they don’t want to share testimonies about them, that’s a red flag. It’s best to avoid that person and move on to the next on your list.

 If it’s possible, make a call to one of your prospective doula’s former clients to get feedback straight from the source. Do let the prospective doula that you are reaching out to her former clients for transparency.

“What is the range of support that you provide for first-time moms like me and my newborn?”

This is probably the most important question that you need to ask your prospective doula. That way, expectations about what you’ll receive from the doula will be set. There should be full transparency so that there will be no misunderstandings later 

This question will also provide you with the opportunity to discuss other matters such as your access to the doula and their availability to you. Also, matters in relation to their doula fee should be discussed here. 

Remember that it is perfectly okay to seek the services of a doula. 

Whether you are a first-time mom or a mom giving birth to another child, rest assured that it is perfectly okay to seek the help and services of a doula. You are not less of a women or a mom if you do. 

Of course, it should also be clear that while doulas are trained professionals, they do not have the medical training required to deliver your baby. That is the responsibility of your doctor or midwife. Doulas are there to provide you with the physical, emotional, and informational support you need to make the birthing experience a positive one. 

So if you are an expectant mom and need extra support and care other than that provided by your doctor or midwife, your partner or spouse, and your family and friends, know that you can seek that support elsewhere. It may be time for your to start looking for a doula in your area. Ask your friends or your doctor for a referral, or you can start the search on your own. Make sure that you talk to your prospective doulas so you can ask them these questions and make a decision on getting the right doula for you.

And if you’re located in Maricopa County, there’s no other doula you should approach than us at Doulas of the Valley. Contact us today, and let us support you with whatever you need in your pregnancy and postpartum journey.