How to Hire the Right Doula

Choosing the right doula to partner with you in one of your most vulnerable moments of life can feel overwhelming! Here are some pointers to help you decide if hiring a doula is the right choice for you:

It begins with clarifying what type of support you want—birth, postpartum, or both—and identifying the qualities that matter most: experience with specific birth preferences (hospital, birthing center, home), certifications or training, communication style, and availability around your due date are some important things to consider when interviewing a doula.

Ask about their experiences, their role during your labor, comfort measures they can help provide, and how they collaborate with medical providers; request references and read testimonials to understand others’ experiences.

Meet potential doulas in person or via video to assess rapport and emotional fit. Having a good emotional connection with your doula will be key to having the best support during your pregnancy

Make sure you discuss practical details like fees, payment plans, on-call arrangements, backup coverage, contract terms, and confirm what services are included (prenatal visits, continuous labor support, postpartum visits, resources or referrals).

And most of all, trust your intuition: the best doula is someone who respects your choices, provides evidence-based guidance, advocates for your needs without imposing opinions, and makes you feel safe, supported, and empowered throughout pregnancy, birth, and early postpartum.

If you’d like to discuss more about what it would look like for us to work together as a doula, let’s connect!