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Once you decide to hire a professional postpartum doula, you should interview prospective support persons carefully. Besides professional considerations, you will want to find out if the postpartum doula has values compatible with your own and personal qualities you desire. When choosing a doula, answers to the following questions will help you find the right support person.Practical QuestionsYou might want to ask these questions first. If she is not available or not in your price range, be sure to ask for a referral to another doula.
Philosophical QuestionsThis discussion should form the bulk of your discussion. It is very important that you find someone with whom you agree on the basic issues. If you are planning to breastfeed, you will want to find someone who knows a lot about it and will support your goal; but on the other had, you don’t want someone who will disapprove of you if you change your mind.
For Your Own ProtectionBe aware that postpartum doula training and certification is limited, so there are many well-qualified and experienced doulas with no formal credentials. Having children may be a plus, but there are many excellent doulas who have never had a baby of their own. Make sure that you call her previous clients and ask them for the doula’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as whether they would hire her again.
New parents are vulnerable and highly sensitive – taking the time now to find a gentle, caring support person for those first days will enable you to be more relaxed and enjoy getting to know your baby. |
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