These Questions are for hiring a Doula from DONA international. If you
have any other questions that I have not covered here please feel free to
contact me.
What Training and Education do you have?
What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting
women and their partners through labor?
When do you try to join women in labor - at home or at the
place of birth?
Will you meet with us to discuss our birth plans and the roll
that you will play in supporting us through childbirth?
May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the
birth?
Do you work with one or more backup Doulas for times when
you are not available? May we meet them?
Will you provide references?
have any other questions that I have not covered here please feel free to
contact me.
What Training and Education do you have?
- I have trained with both DONA International and CAPPA International
and have become a Certified Birth Doula through both
organizations. I have also taken the DONA advanced Doula training
program “A” , I am continually reading different childbirth books to
further my knowledge and perspective on birth.
What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting
women and their partners through labor?
- I believe that childbirth is the most natural and amazing thing that
women can do. The power of a woman’s body to create and bring
forth is incredible.
- I believe that every woman has the RIGHT to have the kind of birth
that she wants as long as medically possible, by this I mean as long
as mother and baby are healthy.
- I believe that birthing mothers have a right to information (pros and
cons) of all natural and medical interventions and/or medications so
she can make an informed choice about her birth, her health, and
the health of her baby.
- I believe that if a mother chooses to have a completely natural birth
and breast feed her baby or if she chooses to have a medical birth
with pain medications and/or an epidural and formula feed her baby
that is her choice. No one has the right to discriminate against her
for her choices.
- I don’t believe that hospital or physician policy should be able to
dictate how or when a mother gives birth.
- I believe that when women believe not only in them selves but also
their body’s and baby they will be able to have the safe and
satisfying birth that they desire.
When do you try to join women in labor - at home or at the
place of birth?
- I do not choose when I am going to meet women in labor. I am
working for the birthing mother and it is her choice on when and
where I join her. At prenatal visits I discuss with the mom, partner (if
applicable), and birth team, when THEY would like me to join them. If
they are not sure when they would like me to arrive we leave it open
and have someone call when they are ready for me to attend. I
realize that sometimes women who don’t want me to join them until
they arrive at the hospital change their minds once they are in labor
and that is fine with me. I ask all birthing mothers to call me as soon
as they think they might be in labor, not only to give me a heads up
that mom may be in labor but also to talk to the mother to find out
how she is feeling about the impending labor and birth, and call me
a second time when they would like me to join them.
Will you meet with us to discuss our birth plans and the roll
that you will play in supporting us through childbirth?
- Yes, I prefer to meet with birthing mothers at least 2 times before the
birth of the baby, I use these meetings not only to get to know the
birth mom and discuss HER plans for birth and how she sees me
helping through out labor and birth. But, also for the birth mom to
get to know me. I will provide the mom with any information that she
asks for to help her make decisions regarding issues for her birth. If
mom needs information that I do not have I will do my best to find it
for her, I try to have the information with in 48 hours.
- I have attended birthing mothers that I hadn't meet until labor began.
The problem with this in not only getting the proper consent forms
signed but also not knowing what the mother's birth preferences are
or how she would like me to help her through her labor and birth.
Although I understand that at time circumstances do not allow a prior
meeting I do make every effort to talk to the birthing mother even if it
is on the phone before labor has begun.
May we call you with questions or concerns before or after the
birth?
- As part of my services I offer 2 hours prenatal and 2 hours postnatal
phone conversation time. It is the clients discretion how this time is
used and when. This time is in addition to phone conversations that
we have after your doctor appointments for information update or
clarification.
Do you work with one or more backup Doulas for times when
you are not available? May we meet them?
- I do work with a couple of different back up Doulas. Because I cover
many different areas as a Doula, the Doula that I ask to work as my
back up for a birth depends on when and where a mom is giving
birth. If a client would like me to ask the back up Doula to attend a
prenatal I will schedule an additional meeting for this purpose.
Will you provide references?
- I do provide references from former clients upon the request of a
birth mom or partner.
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| Frequently Asked Questions |