The Practical Guide to Working with a Doula
Although more and more expecting parents have heard about doulas, there is still a lot of mystery around the mechanics of how it actually works to hire and work with a doula.
Many parents don't know that there are just about as many ways to be a doula as there are doulas themselves! There are differences in the way doulas take on clients, what doulas include in their service packages, and even how long doulas stay with clients during labor.
Even with more families interested in the support of a doula during birth, there are a lot of questions about the logistics of how having a doula on your team actually works in real life.
We thought we'd write a post explaining how our own birth doula support process works, from the first inquiry all the way through the end of a contract.
Note: Things will look a little different if you book one of our planned c-section doula packages.
From A-Z, here's what it looks like to work with a Riverbend Birth doula!
The booking process
Contact us through our website to inquire about birth doula services
Please share:
Your estimated due date (we accept a limited number of birth doula clients each month)
Where you live and your intended birth place (to make sure we serve your area)
Any other details you want to share about yourself, your plans/wishes for birth, etc.
Any initial questions you have
We’ll send you an email and:
Answer any questions you asked
Share a few resources to help you learn more about our practice
Include a link for you to book a free Zoom intake call so we can learn more about you and your goals for this birth
If we aren’t available for your due date or don’t serve your area, we will send you some referrals of other folks who may be able to support you
We meet for an intake call
This 30-minute chat with Marlee and/or Megan (depending on availability) gives us a chance to get to know you and what you’re looking for. We normally have a few questions to ask, and parents often have many questions of their own! Here's a cheat sheet if you're looking for questions to ask in a doula interview.
We match you with one of the doulas in our network
We work with a lovely group of independent contractor doulas. Based on personality, strengths, and availability, we will match you with a doula we think you’ll love.
Meet with your doula for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation
This 1-hour consult gives you a chance to get to know the doula, and for them to get to know you. (Here's a cheat sheet if you're looking for questions to ask in a doula interview!)
If it’s a great fit, book your package!
If you want to work with the doula you met with, select one of our existing packages or contact us to create your own. With our convenient online system, you’ll fill out a short intake form, sign your contract, and pay your deposit (half of your package price). We try to make this as quick and painless as possible!
Meet with another doula if needed
If you didn’t quite click with the first doula you met, we can connect you with another doula (depending on availability) to see if it’s a better fit. You’ll have another 1-hour consult, and hopefully it will be a great fit!
We reserve space for you for 2 weeks
Choosing someone to support you during birth is a big deal! Take your time, talk to your partner or other support people, and interview other doulas. We'll reserve your due date slot for 2 weeks while you decide. We’ll check in with you if we haven’t heard from you at that point.
Once you book your package, you officially have doulas!
Working together during pregnancy
Use your doula as a resource!
Get in touch if you need any referrals or support, let them know if you have questions about something your care provider mentioned, ask for recommendations for continued reading on a certain subject, get support creating your baby registry... your doula is here to support you however they can!
Schedule your prenatal visits
Some clients like to save up their questions for those prenatal visits, and others like to text in between visits as questions come up. (This is a HUGE plus to booking a doula earlier in pregnancy! The longer you have doulas on your team, the more support you’ll get.)
Start creating your birth plan with [M]otherboard Birth
We include a free membership to the amazing resource [M]otherboard Birth for all our birth doula clients. We love the simplicity of their birth plan template and the collaborative nature of their approach. It’s a wonderful resource for learning more about your options for birth too!
We’ll share a little walkthrough video to show you around the [M]otherboard tools so you feel comfortable getting started. (This is not required - if you prefer to make a birth plan a different way or not at all, that’s ok too!)
If included in your package, schedule your infant sleep Q&A session
Marlee is our resident sleep counselor. This 1-hour session is a chance for you to ask your questions about infant sleep, find out more about babies’ biological sleep needs, and learn some general strategies to help everyone in the family get more rest.
Reach out to Marlee & Megan anytime!
We are usually in the background while you work with one of the doulas in our network, but we’re always available if you need any other support. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!
As your estimated due date approaches
Pay your balance by 36 weeks
We’ll email you a reminder - again, quick, easy, and online!
If you want reimbursement from your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), let us know so we can send you a specialized receipt at this point.
Your doula goes on call for you 24/7 starting at 38 weeks of pregnancy
They will set up a group text message or WhatsApp thread to easily stay in touch with you and your partner (if applicable) so everyone is in the loop.
Keep in touch
At this point, it's hard to give your doula too much information. You can send updates after appointments with your care provider, let your doula know about shifts and changes you may be feeling emotionally or physically, and of course tell them if you're starting to feel contractions or other signs of labor.
Let your doula know about any signs labor may be on the way:
Loss of mucous plug/bloody show
Any consistent contractions (even if they're pretty far apart)
Diarrhea/flu-like symptoms
Amniotic fluid leaking or releasing with a gush
Keep your doula updated about changes to your care plan
If your plan of care for birth changes please let your doula know, especially if any procedures or medications are suggested to induce labor (membrane sweep, cervical ripening medications, pitocin, breaking your water, etc.). If something like this arises, your doula may offer a phone call to get up to speed, talk about your options going forward, and answer any questions that might be coming up for you. Anytime you want to debrief after an appointment with your care provider, just ask!
If a cesarean birth is scheduled in advance:
You have the option of having your doula come meet you for day-of support, or exchanging that time for some extra postpartum support instead.
When labor starts
Early labor can last awhile
And by that, we mean anything from hours to days. Your doula will be available by text and/or phone calls when labor begins, and can offer suggestions for things you can do to keep your body rested and your mind distracted. One of the best tools in early labor is to ignore it as much as possible!
Don't give labor more attention than it demands
Usually our clients spend time with loved ones and try to labor at home for as long as is physically and emotionally comfortable for them. Your doula will be available by text and phone during this earlier phase of labor.
When you find yourself in need of more support than you have available to you at the moment, call your doula
Yes, we do mean CALL! Your doula will have their phone volume up at all times when they’re on call but may have text notifications on silent. When you’re ready for your doula to join you in labor, a phone call is the way to reach them.
Your doula can meet you at home or birth place, wherever you are at the time.
Your doula will provide continuous support during labor
Some doulas set a time limit for how many hours they will stay with their clients during birth (sometimes called a "12 hour clause"). We do not include this time limit in our doula contract and instead our doulas provide continuous support during labor. In cases of longer births, your doula may need to call in a back-up doula to ensure you have someone well-rested to support you.
1-2 hours of postpartum support after your baby is born
The immediate postpartum time can be quite involved, especially if there were any concerns about your or your baby. Your doula can help initiate nursing if that's your goal, answer any questions you might have, and help set the tone for a restful time after birth.
To learn more about the doula’s role during this period specifically if you're planning to birth in a hospital, check out our blog post: Little-Known Ways a Doula Can Help after Your Hospital Birth.
Just a reminder - Riverbend Birth supports all types of birth without judgment.
No matter your preferences regarding pain management, medical procedures, or anything else that might come up during labor and birth, your doula is here to support you through the process.
After birth
Get in touch if you have any questions.
Many times parents have a lot of questions in the first few days after birth - don't be shy! We're here to help. You can reach out to your doula directly, or to Marlee and Megan.
If you’re having any lactation challenges, let us know! Marlee is often able to visit clients in the day or two after birth for some additional feeding support.
Let us know if you need additional resources
There is a lot of help and support available for new parents in Pittsburgh, and we're always happy to send you our favorite resources if you need them.
Postpartum doula care
If you booked postpartum doula support, contact your postpartum doula to arrange for visits to begin. It’s often helpful to begin visits within the first week or two of life so your postpartum doula can help you and your family find some stability and rhythm.
Lactation & feeding support
Reach out anytime if you find yourself in need of some lactation/feeding support. Marlee offers in-home lactation consults (up to 3 hours) that can make a huge difference in the way your newborn experience unfolds.
Meet with your doula for a postpartum check-in visit
This in-home visit is typically 1-2 hours and offers an opportunity to discuss your birth with your doula. You can also talk about postpartum recovery topics, or anything else on your mind. This visit is usually a lovely way to wrap up your time working together!
We love to hear from our clients, and we never say no to family pictures!
That's our process from start to finish! We hope this helps you get a better idea of the types of support we provide throughout pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Let us know if you have any questions for us, and get in touch today if you want to work with our team!
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