Giving birth can be a beautiful experience. However, a lot of mothers find themselves anxious and afraid when they think about the labor and delivery. Stories of up to 36 hours or more or labor aren’t going to help put first-time mommies at ease. Hiring the services of a birth doula, though, can provide you with the guidance and support you need.
Here are handy interview questions to help you find the right one:
What is your training?
Find out what kind training or certifications your doula has. If she’s certified, what was required to receive the certification? These should give you a sense of her training and experience.
How many births have you attended?
If the number is small, you might want to look for someone else. That’s because there’s no substitute for experience. If you want to get the best care possible during the birthing process, look for someone with plenty of years of experience in the industry.
Which labor-coping techniques do you find effective?
These can help you determine the level of expertise and experience of your birth doula. Those with plenty of experience will have no problem providing you with several labor-coping practices and methods they know. If you have a specific method in mind, though, don’t hesitate to ask your doula about that. Doing so will help you figure out if they’re a good match for you or not.
Can I talk to a few of your clients?
Trustworthy doulas will have plenty of happy and well-satisfied clients so it should be easy enough for her to hand over a list of references you can check out, says the Babycenter.
What are some of your birthing experiences?
This can show you much about how they handle a situation and if they’re a good fit for you and your partner.
