We offer a Meet the Doula Tea that many folks enjoy attending. We host it every other month on the third Monday evening. We provide a video about doulas, great refreshments and a time of discussion regarding our services prior to you having an opportunity to meet the individual doulas and mingle to ask them questions. You may choose to hire a doula that evening having had time to meet her and her back ups. But...
If you are unable to attend the tea we have other ways to meet us. We provide a free interview where you can meet with how ever many doulas you desire. Some of use have an office or childbirth class space where we usually conduct interviews but we are willing to meet you elsewhere if that is needed.
And once you have talked to a few of our doulas on the phone you can usually decide if that doula is a good fit once you have met her in person. Hiring a doula is what officially retains her- that means getting the agreement and retainer received in our office.
Once you hire a doula, she usually contacts you to let you know that you have been officially added to her calendar in our office. At that point it is up to you to contact your doula with questions, concerns or just sharing how your pregnancy is going- how your appointments are going with your care provider and any thoughts you think will help her to get to know you better.
By the time you are 34 to 36 weeks pregnant, it is time to set up a prenatal meeting where you will discuss the things you learned and think may be helpful from your childbirth classes. It is also a time to define rolls more clearly and determine what your birth ideals are. Your doula needs to know what your ideal birth would look like in order to help you achieve it.
Once you think you are in labor you can call your doula to alert her. She will guide you though that time with ideas and suggestions. You will have decided at your prenatal as to whether she will be coming to your home or meeting you at the hospital- this is based on your personal needs and desires.
She will attend to your needs during your labor when she meets you once labor is well established. And there she will stay- with you- until you have had your baby and are getting settled into that special bonding time in those first hours after your birth.
It is then up to you to let her know when you want to get back together to have a debriefing of the birth and fun time to coo over your baby. Again, some doulas will come to you or meet you- and others prefer to meet in their class space in case there are items or materials accessible there they may want to share with you.
If you choose a postpartum doula you should call her once you have had your baby to let her know when you will be wanting her to start working at assisting you in this transition to parenthood. You will then set up the times and days you need.
I hope this has been helpful in understanding how we are wanting to meet your needs and have an opportunity to serve you as your doula.
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