So, You Want To Hire A Doula...a What?
By: Wendy Dean

                 A what?  A doula (doo-lah).  What’s that? 
A doula is a woman, trained in childbirth, who supports families during the birth of their baby.  Her role is different than that of a doctor, midwife or labor nurse in that her only task is to provide continuous support to the laboring woman and her partner. 

                 Support?  What do you mean? 
The doula supplies three main things during labor.  She is there to provide emotional support during what may be an emotionally charged, and perhaps a stressful time in your life.  She provides physical support during labor.  This might consist of suggestions for comfort and speeding labor progress, help with positions, providing massage, fetching ice chips, or applying backpressure.  She also provides informational support and an objective perspective during labor.  She is someone who has received training in how to effectively assist people in labor, and can help you advocate for the type of birth you want to have.

                 But isn’t that what my partner is supposed to do?  Yes, in part.  Your partner’s role is very important.  But helping someone give birth is challenging especially when you care deeply for that person and for the baby.  Also, most partners have limited experience with labor and birth.  This lack of experience with birth and emotional connection to the laboring woman and baby may put your partner in a position of needing the doula’s support and guidance as well.  A doula is there to help and support the two of you, as a team as well as individually

                 Okay, I suppose there is no such thing as too much support.  Are there any other benefits? 
Indeed there are.  The presence of a doula often leads to tangible benefits including having a shorter more comfortable labor, needing fewer medical interventions, and having less chance of cesarean delivery. The intangible benefits include greater maternal and family satisfaction with the birth experience and better attachment of the parents with the baby.

                 Sounds great, so how do I find one? 
Well, a good place to start is with your childbirth educator.  Many women who teach childbirth preparation classes are also doulas.  If she is not a doula, or if she is busy around your due date, she probably knows other doulas to whom she can refer you.  If this avenue doesn’t yield results try the regional (Pacific Association for Labor Support or PALS) or national (Doulas of North America or DONA) doula organizations.  Both provide referrals by e-mail (info@pals-doulas.org and referrals@dona.org) and by phone (PALS – (206) 325-1419  DONA – (801) 756-7331).  Another great place to check is with other women who have had a baby in the last 3 or 4 years.  They may very well be willing to share their experience and also the name of their doula.  Some doulas advertise in magazines like Seattle’s Child or Eastside Parent (free and available at most baby supply stores). 

                 So, I’ve got a bunch of names. Now what? 
As you start to call doulas, you may find some are already busy with clients around your due date.  Many doulas limit the number of clients they accept each month to ensure their availability to you whenever your labor happens. If she is unavailable, ask if she knows of any other doulas you might call. Start looking early (around the beginning of your third trimester if possible) as many doulas are booked a few months in advance.  When you find someone who is compatible with the timing of your due date you should check them out.  

                   What do you mean, check them out? 
Spend a little time getting a feel for whether she is the right doula for you.  This might be done by phone, but you may want to meet with her in person to determine if she is a good match for you and your partner.  Most doulas are willing to do this.  Ask lots of questions (there is a list of questions to ask a prospective doula available on the DONA website, www.dona.org, if you need some ideas), and allow her to ask some questions.  The more you share with her about your needs and expectations, the better she will be able to serve you.  If possible, meet with more than one doula.  Make sure you feel comfortable with the person you select, and be sure you feel like she can support your preferences for your labor. You might also want to ask to speak with a previous client or two before making your final selection, to hear their perspective on what it was like to work with her.

Having a doula present during your labor can have a big impact on how you remember the day of your baby’s birth.  You will remember this day for the rest of your life.  Having the added support of someone who has experience in this area and is tuned in to your wishes can make the unpredictable nature of labor less imposing.

Having a baby is exciting, and stressful, and sometimes it is really hard.  A doula can help.

For more information on doulas, including benefits, ways to find a doula, and interview questions, see here.

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