Top Questions to Ask When Hiring a Birth Doula
Meeting a birth doula for the first time can feel a bit nerve-wracking.
You’re not quite sure what to ask.
You’re not sure what kind of answers to expect. And you might be wondering how you’ll know if it’s the right fit.
Tori Polson, our resident Birth and Postpartum Doula noted a few questions that can help you tune into whether this is someone you’d like by your side on one of the biggest days of your life.
What does your support look like before, during and after birth?
This gives you a good sense of how involved the doula is in the lead-up to birth, how they support you on the day and what kind of care they offer afterwards.
What is your philosophy around birth?
There’s no right answer to this — it’s more about seeing whether your views align. Do they value autonomy and informed choice? Are they supportive of all kinds of birth?
How do you work with partners?
This is helpful if you’re hoping for support that includes your partner too. You’ll want someone who can help both of you feel calm and confident.
Are you on-call for other births around my due date?
This helps you understand availability and how many clients they take on. If they have a backup, you might want to meet that person too.
What kinds of births have you supported before?
Whether you’re planning a homebirth or a hospital birth, it can be reassuring to know your doula has experience in similar settings.
What’s your communication style like?
This isn’t always asked directly, but it matters. Do you like regular updates or more space? Texts or calls? It’s worth making sure you’re on the same page.
How do you hold space when things don’t go to plan?
Birth is unpredictable. This question can give you a glimpse into how your doula shows up in the hard moments not just the easy ones.
Hold The Mother is dedicated to honouring, and holding the Mother during life's biggest transitions.
We are Melbourne based Doulas supporting families within 30 minutes of Greensborough, Victoria. Suburbs including Eltham, Montmorency, Diamond Creek, Plenty, Lower Plenty, Rosanna, Macleod, Rosanna, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Northcote, Thornbury, Preston, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Ringwood, Croydon, Warrandyte, Park Orchards, Templestowe, Doncaster, Kangaroo Ground, Research, Kew, Blackburn, Box Hill, Hawthorn and more.
We are deeply passionate about community building, connection and wrapping mothers in curated, accessible care. We have a range of Pregnancy, Birth and Postpartum Services available to meet you at whatever stage you are at, supporting you on the mother of all journeys.
Birth Doula Support, Postpartum Doula Support, Virtual Doula Support, Doula Mentoring, Postpartum Preparation Sessions, Mothers Blessings, Closing of the Bones Ceremonies, Events and Education Workshops, Social Events and Clubs.
For more information visit our Services page, and book in a Connection Call to explore how to work with us.
