When you’re choosing who will support you during one of life’s most intimate transitions, interviewing potential doulas becomes essential. Here’s how to do it thoughtfully so you can find the right fit for your birth team.
Start with Trust & Connection
How did you become a doula? Their motivation gives insight into their heart. Are they driven by a personal experience, passion for birth advocacy, or desire to support families? You don’t want to feel like you are being sold a story. Instead you want to hear a genuine reason they have chosen this career and what motivates them to continue down this path.
What is your doula “style” and philosophy? Some are energetic cheerleaders, others calm anchors. Make sure their style aligns with your birth vision and you and your partner’s personalities. Remember, your doulas are there to support both of you so you both want to feel comfortable sharing such a vulnerable and intimate space with them. Birth is truly one of the most transformational moments in not only a woman’s life, but also in your relationship. Make sure you feel safe and supported by all the people you choose to share it with!
Experience & Training
How many births have you attended, and what challenges have you supported? Understanding their background helps gauge how they might manage unexpected situations.
Do you have experience at my specific birth location/with my providers?
What training and certification have you completed?
However, personality and connection can often trump experience in 9 out of 10 births. So do keep in mind that a doula who has attended hundreds of births but rubs you the wrong way isn’t better than the brand new doula who makes you feel safe and heard.
Logistics & Availability
When are you on-call for births? Most doulas begin on-call approximately two weeks before the due date until two weeks after—and remain reachable 24/7.
How many clients do you take per month? Could you support my birth fully? High client loads can dilute availability and focus.
Backups & Continuity
Do you have a backup doula, and can we meet them? It’s crucial you already know and trust the backup who might attend your birth.
Will you stay through complications or interventions? Ask how they support inductions, epidurals, or c-sections.
Birth & Postpartum Services
What prenatal and postpartum visits are included in your package? Two prenatal sessions and at least one follow-up post-birth session are typical.
Advocacy, Communication & Cultural Fit
How do you support informed consent and advocacy in real time? Pay attention to whether they center your decisions and goals.
What’s your communication style and availability outside appointments? Ask how and when you can reach them.
After the Interview: Reflect
Did you feel heard and comfortable?
Do you sense they will support your style of birth, not impose theirs?
Is their energy and tone compatible with yours?
Will you and your partner feel safe and comfortable sharing this transformational experience with them?
Did you enjoy talking to them and do you look forward to spending more time with them in the future?
Do you feel confident in their experience and intuition as a doula?
Your intuition matters. Oftentimes, this is one of the most important factors in choosing a doula! The times we have seen mismatched doulas and clients have been when the clients didn’t trust their instincts and chose the most experienced doula or the certified over the uncertified doula. So make sure to sit with your feelings after your doula interviews, ask yourself how you feel in your body, in your heart and in your head after chatting with a doula. If you aren’t sure then it is probably a good idea to interview a few more doulas! Trust me, you will find the right fit!
Leave a Reply