While choosing a birth doula is exciting and can at times be nerve wracking, having a lot of questions is normal and expected! You are speaking to someone who you are choosing to bring into your sacred space during one of the most intimate times of your life. Not only should you be using this consultation call as a way to understand what a doula does and how they can support you, but also to help you get a feel for the personality of the doula.
Have you ever wondered what kind of questions are asked (or you should be asking) during your consultation call with a prospective birth doula? Let’s go over some of my top questions I get regularly!
1. What does a birth doula do?
Many people go to hire a birth doula before making sure they fully understand what we do. Understanding my role as a doula is so important to making sure you are getting the support and care you need. As a birth doula, I provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. During labor I assist with comfort measures like breathing techniques, massage, and positioning, help you make informed decisions, and empower you to be an advocate for yourself and your child. If you ever feel you can’t advocate for yourself or don’t know how, I am there with you to help empower you and guide you. While I am not a medical professional, I work alongside your birthing team to help you have the empowering, respectful birthing experience you deserve.
2. How is a doula different from a midwife or nurse?
It’s common to confuse a birth doula with other birth professionals like midwives or nurses. Midwives and nurses are trained medical professionals who provide clinical care during labor and delivery, while a birth doula focuses on emotional support and physical comfort. As your doula, I won’t be performing any medical tasks like cervical checks, or make any decisions for you. What I will do is help you move around the room to get through your contractions as well as help change the mood of the room with lighting and scents to make it more comfortable and relaxing.
I am there to support you physically and emotionally throughout your labor. The nurses you will have will (hopefully) be supportive and amazing, but you are not their only patient. A lot of times the nurses are stretched thin, especially if your hospital is in a busy place like Charlotte, NC! Due to this, they will be in and out of your room since they will be caring for you as well as others in labor. With a doula, you are my ONLY client I am with at that moment. This means that I stay in your room to help with supporting you through contractions, changing positions often, and any other support you or your partner need.
3. How can a doula help if I’m having a hospital birth?
A lot of people assume that doulas are only helpful in home births or birthing centers, but we can be incredibly beneficial in the hospital setting as well! In the hospital, your birth doula can help you understand your options and make informed decisions, provide comfort measures for pain management, and be an advocate for your preferences during the birth process. As your doula, I am there to ensure you feel supported and empowered, especially when working within a hospital system.
4. What if I want an epidural or a medicated birth?
As your doula, I am here to support you regardless of the kind of birth you wish to have. Whether you are going into childbirth planning to get an epidural, decide to get one mid labor, or go unmedicated, I will be there to help you feel informed, empowered, and supported. With an epidural, I will be helping you make informed decisions leading up to the administration of it so that you are confident in your timing of getting it. Once it is in I will be helping with position changes to continue to help open your pelvis, educate and support you through any fears or doubts you may have, and empower you and your partner to be advocates.
If you opt for pain medication, my support as your doula does not go away, it simply shifts to your new needs!
5. Will my birth doula support my birth plan, even if things change?
The fun thing about plans is that they don’t always go as expected! My job as your doula is to help you navigate whatever unfolds during your birth, whether your birth plan goes exactly as expected, you need to adjust it along the way, or completely throw it out the window. I am there to help you feel informed and supported, no matter what happens. Birth is unpredictable and having a doula can make you feel more empowered, even if you have to make changes or unexpected decisions during the process.
6. What is the cost of hiring a doula?
This varies depending on the package you choose! I try to be very transparent in my pricing, so you can see all the costs on my Investment page. The overall cost depends on the services you want, your location, and how much access to my resources you prefer. Some doulas offer sliding scale fees or payment plans (like me!), so it’s always worth asking about pricing upfront. While many people might see the cost as a barrier, it’s important to consider the value of having emotional and physical support throughout your labor and delivery. Research has shown that having a doula can reduce the likelihood of interventions, shorten the length of labor, and lead to better birth outcomes.
If you’re concerned about cost, let’s talk and see what kind of payment plans we can work out!
7. How soon should I hire a doula?
This may be one of my favorite questions, because I always say if you’re still pregnant it’s not too late to hire a doula! Many people hire doulas in their second trimester, while others find a doula closer to their due date. Ideally, you’ll want to have a doula lined up by the time you enter your third trimester so you have time to get to know them and develop your birth plan together. Some doulas like myself have specific packages for parents who find us later in pregnancy, that still allow you to develop your birth preferences and have my unwavering support during labor! So whether you just got a positive test this morning, or your due date is in a week, please reach out to see how I can support you.
8. Do I still need a doula if I have a birth partner for support?
A birth doula is never here to replace or take over for your birth partner. In fact, most of us aim to empower your partner to step into their role as your birth partner confidently. While loved ones can provide invaluable emotional support, a doula brings specialized knowledge about labor and birth, offering practical guidance on coping techniques and helping your birth team stay calm and focused. I will be there to guide and support your partner when and if they need assistance or encouragement, and help them feel confident in their abilities to support you how you need it.
If your partner isn’t sure where to even begin when it comes to supporting you, I recommend taking my Birth Partner Bootcamp with Ally!
9. What happens after the birth? Does my doula leave right away?
After your baby is born, my support as your doula does not end. I typically stay with you for thirty minutes to two hours (depending on needs) to ensure you are getting your Golden Hour, help with initial latch, and anything else you may need. Many doulas like myself offer postpartum visits to check in on you, provide breastfeeding support, or simply help you process your birth experience. This follow-up can be invaluable as you transition into life with a newborn and recover from childbirth. The postpartum visit is often a time to discuss your feelings, answer any questions, and offer resources to support your early days of parenting.
Once the postpartum session is done, I am still here to offer any guidance or support that you need whether it is a week postpartum or a year.
10. Do I have to decide right now?
This really depends on how busy the doula is that you are speaking to! For myself, I understand that hiring a doula is a big decision, so I usually give new parents up to 5 days to let me know if they want to hire me or not. This time typically allows you to speak to a few doulas and look at finances. However, if I have another inquiry for a due date near yours and the 5 days has passed then there is no guarantee I will be able to take you on as a client without risking due dates being too close. There are certainly some who require an answer at the time of the call, so be sure to clarify that with them before hanging up.
If you know you want to hire me by the end of the call then simply let me know which package you want to do any we will get started!
Choosing a doula is a personal decision, and it’s important to feel confident in your choice. The consult call is a great time to ask questions and ensure that the doula is the right fit for you and your birth preferences. Whether you're aiming for a hospital birth, home birth, or birthing center, having a doula by your side can make a world of difference in how you feel supported and empowered during your birth experience.
If you’re ready to schedule a call to see if I’m the doula for you, head on over to my scheduler!
I can’t wait to support you.
Your doula,
Ally

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