Suggested Interview Questions

Birth Doula Questions

1. Why did you become a doula?
2. What is your training?
3. Are you certified? If so, through which organization? What were the requirements for certification?
4. How many years of experience do you have?
5. Have you worked with my specific doctor/midwife/facility before? What was the experience like for you?
6. How would you work with and involve my partner?
7. What is your birth philosophy? How might that fit with my hopes and needs?
8. Are you certified in any additional modalities? If so, what are your areas of expertise?
9. Do you have any other clients due around the same time? If so, how do you manage that?
10. Do you have a back-up doula? Can we meet that person in advance?
11. May I ask your previous clients for references?
12. Would you explain your packages/pricing structure? What is included? How often do we meet before and after the birth?
13. Can you walk me through your contract and help me understand each section?
14. What payment methods do you accept?
15. Do you carry any insurance, such as liability coverage?
16. What happens if I have an unplanned cesarean birth?

Postpartum Doula Questions

1. Why did you become a postpartum doula?
2. What was your training?
3. Are you certified? If so, through which organization? What were the requirements for certification?
4. How many years of experience do you have as a postpartum doula?
5. Specifically, what services do you provide? What do you not provide?
6. Do you have other postpartum clients at the same time? If so, how does that affect your availability?
7. Do you have birth clients that might give birth during our scheduled time together? If so, how do you manage that?
8. Do you have a back-up doula? Can we meet that person in advance?
9. Do you have a minimum or maximum number of hours that you will stay for each shift?
10. Do you charge travel fees if I live a certain distance away?
11. Can you walk me through your contract, and help me understand each section?
12. Can you explain your fees, packages, etc.? Can we add more hours if needed?
13. What payment methods do you accept?
14. What if we don’t know how many hours we might need?
15. Are you available for overnight shifts? What is your hourly rate for overnights?
16. May I ask your previous clients for references?
17. How would a postpartum doula help my partner?
18. How would you handle conflict within the family?
19. Are you certified in adult/infant CPR?
20. Do you carry any insurance, such as liability coverage?
21. Have you had a background check? Would it be alright if we did one?
22. What is your philosophy on breastfeeding? Do you have any additional breastfeeding training or certifications?
23. What is your experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders?

Questions to Ask Yourself

After the interview, try to imagine the doula at work with you during your birth or during your postpartum period.

1. Do I feel comfortable around this person?
2. Is this doula a good match for my personality?
3. Did the doula seem knowledgeable?
4. Did the doula communicate well?
5. Did the doula listen well? Do I feel heard?
6. Will the doula support my particular set of preferences?

You can always follow up with the doulas you meet if you think of more questions after the interview, or need more clarification!