When to hire a birth doula?
When should you look for and hire a birth doula? Hiring a doula requires research, time and effort, and patience. Know that you will find a great doula who is a perfect fit for you and your wishes.
We often joke in the birth world that some families call to book a birth doula after conception, literally minutes later. That may seem extreme, but it is not that odd when you think it through.
Why hiring a birth doula early is important:
Pregnancy and birth can be unpredictable. Hiring a birth doula early on in your pregnancy can alleviate fears, set you up for a great pregnancy where certain risks or pains are prevented, and prepare you for the journey into parenthood.
Along with gathering information, resources, and exercises, you would also like to get to know your doula. She would like to get to know you as well. That may take a couple of meetings or phone calls. Connect with and secure a doula as early as possible, without settling for someone you only feel just okay with. The earlier you connect, the more you can learn about each other, find the resources you need, and prepare you for this celebration of life!
What hiring a birth doula offers you?
Birth Doulas have great advice, information, and resources to give that can help you with a healthier and easier pregnancy. They offer practices, stretches, and exercises that can improve pains and shorten labor, as well as, practical information for prep-work that will make life easier when your infant arrives. It is important to get this information quickly because the earlier you start the more time you have to absorb it and put it into practice.
Whether you are a first time parent or have 4 children, birth doulas bring you all their experiences from birth. Each pregnancy and birth are different, they come with varying excitement, worries, achievements, and new knowledge. A birth doula is constantly learning and improving her skills with each birth she attends and will share that information with you.
When you hire a birth doula as a first time mom, she can educate you and pass on helpful strategies for your birth. As a seasoned mom, a birth doula can give you new strategies you hadn’t used or heard of for previous births. A birth doula can help you get over certain hurtles that occurred in your previous pregnancies or births. Hiring early allows time for lessons to sink in, to practice the exercises and stretches you’ve learned, and get your mind in the positive space that improves birth experiences.
how do i find a birth doula to hire?
There are so many great sites you can use to find a doula. Doulamatch.net is a great source to find local doulas. They show availability, price range, and general location of doulas. A quick google of your town + birth doula is another great way to find a doula!
There are so many great recommendations and places to find a doula. Don’t be afraid to ask your provider at a prenatal visit. If you are delivering at a hospital or birth center, check on their websites because some will have doulas on staff too.
There are so many sources out there! Ask your friends who’ve had children, they might recommend the doula they used. Or if you go to a gym, prenatal yoga, a chiropractor, or another service ask there. Many times these groups will refer to one another for clients and are an abundant source of knowledge.
Things to consider when hiring a birth doula
Many doulas are booked out 3-4 months in advance. Each doula will have a different number of clients she accepts at any given time which ensures that she can handle the load, while not missing a client’s birth. With this in mind, I would start looking for a doula within your first trimester of pregnancy.
It may take a couple of interviews with different doulas to find one that you click with. Someone who will be there at a life-changing and intimate moment cannot be chosen at random. Don’t be discouraged if it takes longer than you would expect, you deserve the right fit and the perfect support! This may take time, research, and effort on your part to find doulas you match with.
MY advice as a birth doula when hiring a birth doula
My advice is to secure a doula between the end of your first trimester and middle of your second trimester. There are always exceptions and I’ve had clients connect with me closer to their 34th week of pregnancy, but I would recommend earlier. There is no prize for having a doula early, so try not to rush based on anxiety even if it’s later in your pregnancy.
Birth is not planned, on time, or scheduled. There are cases like planned inductions or cesareans, but these too can be altered based on your body going into labor early or the hospital changing schedule. Getting a birth doula early on in your pregnancy can assure you that you will have the support you want when you do go into labor.
hiring a birth doula before pregnancy
For some folks who are planners, it could be helpful as you are trying to conceive to look into different doulas in your area. This can give you a head start once you find out you are pregnant. More than likely, a doula will not accept you as a client until you are past 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is because their time is precious. They cannot schedule you in and miss out on supporting another parent when your due date is not set. However, there are exceptions, keep reading.
Some doulas are also fertility experts! They can help with nutrition, fitness, and mindset that can help those trying to conceive. These would be the exceptions because often times they include this into their fees. You hire them to help with fertility and package it with birth doula support.
What does hiring a birth doula look like?
After the consultation, they may hold your due date for a few days. Like mentioned earlier, all doulas have a different work load based on their life and business model. Some will give you a 72 hour window before saying that they might accept someone else with that same due date.
After you decide on this doula, you will sign a contract that states when they will be on-call for you, pricing, and anything else that is included in the birth doula service. Occasionally, they may have you sign a confidentiality agreement or marketing agreements (using photos or notes from your birth in advertisements/ social media/ etc).
Once that contract is signed, they will start scheduling pre-natal visits, sending you resources such as eBooks, videos to watch, or lend you books. And you can get to know your doula as you prepare for childbirth with a trusted, knowledgeable supporter.
Hiring a birth doula takes time, energy, patience, and exploration on your part. I wish you the best of luck in your birth doula search. You perfect doula is out there!