The Doula Network of Northeast Ohio encourages you to meet with your birth and/or postpartum doula prenatally. It is important that you feel confident in her abilities and comfortable with her personality.

You may wish to interview more than one doula to find the one that is right for you!

  
     
   
     
     
  Questions to ask a Doula…

The following questions will help you decide if a particular doula is right for you:

For any doula:
• What training and experience have you had? (If a doula is certified, you might consider checking with the certifying organization.)
• Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
• What is your fee, what does it include, and what are your refund policies?

When interviewing a Birth Doula:

• Tell me/us about your philosophy regarding childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor.
• May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me/us through childbirth?
• May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
• When do you try to join women in labor? Will you come to our home or meet us at our place of birth?
• Do you meet with me/us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?

When interviewing a Postpartum Doula:

• Tell me/us about your experience as a postpartum doula.
• What is your philosophy regarding parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
• May we meet to discuss our needs and the role you will play?
• What different types of services do you offer?
• When do your services begin postpartum?
• What is your experience with breastfeeding support?
• Have you had a criminal background check and a recent TB test? Do you have current CPR certification?