How to Find a Birth Doula

Are you pregnant, or thinking about becoming pregnant?
Do you want a Natural Childbirth, a Water Birth, or just want to make sure that your wishes are supported by the medical staff when you go into labor?
A Doula is a woman who is trained to provide support before, during, and after birth. To be there for the mother to support the mother and to complement your medical team advocating for your birth experience.
Women who hire doulas for their birth experience shorter labours, reduced need for interventions and pain relief. Mothers who have had the support of a doula experience less postnatal depression, and more confidence in caring for their newborn.
Your doula comes to visit you before the birth, and be on call so that she can be with you throughout your labour.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access
• an open mind

1. Visit one of the Doula accreditation organizations, these organizations ensure that the women that they refer as doulas have been trained and have attended the required amount of births:
   Dona International - www.dona.org
   Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators - www.alace.org
   Childbirth And Postpartum Professional Association - www.cappa.net

2. use your state or zip code information to find Doulas in your area. Also include doulas who are in training, often they will reduce their fees to obtain doula certification births.

3. Set up appointments to meet with Labor Doulas to meet with them and your labor coach to determine whether you feel comfortable with them being part of your support team. Before going to meet with a Doula, be sure to find out if they are accepting births around your due date.

4. In the process of meeting with Doulas be sure to find out practical information such as how many births they accept in a birth month, whether they will meet you at home when you go into labor if you have pets, and whether they are familiar with your birth center or hospital if you are not birthing at home.

Tips & Warnings

• contact Doulas around your 16th to 20th week of pregnancy to be sure to find a Doula who you feel comfortable with in time for her to be able to give you the best TLC possible!
• Request references from Doulas you are considering to be sure that other mothers who have hired your doula have had positive experiences.
• Do not hire a doula without meeting and talking with the prospective doula, and checking their references, this is a very intimate relationship you want to make sure the person will meet your expectations.