Doula interviews: what to expect + what questions to ask

Before hiring a doula for your birth and/or postpartum, it’s always a good idea to meet with them first. An initial doula consult or interview helps you to make an informed and confident choice. If you have questions beforehand about the doula role, be sure to read our post on the differences between doulas and midwives.

What to expect when you decide to hire a Heart Tones Birth doula:

1. When you reach out to us, you will begin with a 15-30 minute virtual or phone consultation with owner Beth Hardy. We will explore your support preferences, personality, and what you’re looking for in a doula.
2. Beth will also share information with you about how Heart Tones Birth Services works. You'll learn about our contracts + fees, and the benefits of hiring a doula who works for an agency.
3. If you decide you’d like to move forward, Beth will connect you with a doula (or sometimes more than one) from our team for a meet + greet.

What happens in a doula interview or meet + greet?

A doula meet + greet is a chance for you and your prospective doula to get to know each other. It's important to see if it feels like a good fit. If you can do this meeting in person, that is ideal. It’s so much easier to get a real feel for a person’s energy and vibe when you’re sitting across from them. But sometimes a virtual meet + greet is necessary, and all of our doulas are happy to meet virtually if that’s what works best for you.

You’ll meet with your prospective doula at a public place like a Salt Lake City coffee shop. The meet + greet usually lasts around 30 minutes or so. 

Bring your team. Your prospective doula will want to meet with both you and your partner(s) or other birth support person. This will help your doula to get a feel for your support team and how to work together. Your doula can also answer any specific questions your partner/birth support person has. It also gives your partner/birth support person a chance to get to know the doula and see if it feels like a good fit for them, too. 

Learn more about your care in birth and postpartum. During the meet + greet, the doula will tell you about themselves and their style. You'll learn what you get in a birth or postpartum doula package, and how they support you during your pregnancy, birth and/or postpartum. They will also ask you questions about your hopes and plans for your birth, and what made you decide to seek out a doula.

Bring your questions. This is a great time to ask questions of your prospective doula to get to know them on a deeper level.

Questions to ask in a birth doula interview:

1. What kind of doula trainings have you done? 
2. Do you have any additional or specialty trainings you’ve taken (massage, lactation, birthing at every size, supporting LGBTQ+ families, etc)?
3. Have you supported clients at my birth location before? 
4. I’m planning to have a [medicated/unmedicated/hospital/birth center/home] birth. What kind of experience do you have with this kind of birth?
5. Do you have experience at the Salt Lake City hospital or birth center where I plan to give birth?
6. About how many births have you attended?
7. Do you have any trips planned around my due date, or lots of other clients at that time? If so, what kind of backup doula arrangements do you have?
8. How do you work with my partner to make sure they’re involved and supported?

Questions to ask in a postpartum doula interview:

1. Can you give me some examples of what you would be doing during a daytime shift? During an overnight shift?
2. Do you have any additional or specialty trainings you’ve taken (like massage, lactation, birthing at every size, supporting LGBTQ+ families, etc)?
3. What if you get sick or are unavailable for a scheduled shift? Do you have a backup, or would we just reschedule?
4. What drew you to postpartum doula work? 

These are just a sample of some of the questions you might ask. If you have specific circumstances or things you want to know, be sure to bring them up! Our care at Heart Tones Birth is always 100% tailored to your family's needs. We want to be sure we are there for you in exactly the ways you need support. The doula interview meet + greet is your chance to determine if this doula feels like the best fit for your birth and/or postpartum time.

If you’d like to meet with one of our wonderful doulas for a meet + greet, reach out to us!