What to Ask at Your Doula Consult

You do not have to arrive at a doula consult with a finished birth plan. You can show up curious, excited, unsure or all of those at once. The conversation is a chance to learn about support and see whether the fit feels right.

Start with what matters to you

What would help you feel heard? What worries keep coming back? What are you looking forward to? What are your goals? Those answers give us somewhere real to begin. Your preferences can still be a work in progress.

Ask about the kind of support

Try asking, "What does support look like before, during and after birth?" At Asher Birth & Body, prenatal visits include the relationship building part and time spent exploring your goals and options, ultimately coming up with a list of preferences/goals, aka a birth plan! We're there through your entire labor, but what does that look like? We also always have connection after baby is born to ensure you're wrapped in every bit of support you need.

Talk through the practical details

Ask how communication works, what your package includes and what happens if your doula is unavailable. You can also ask about experience in your planned birth setting. These are useful questions, not awkward ones. Clear expectations help you decide what support you are choosing.

Make room for your support people

Your partner or another support person may have questions of their own. Bring them into the conversation if you want to. Ask how everyone can work together and what your doula can offer when someone needs encouragement or a new comfort idea. Often times the partner goes into a connection consult thinking they'll be sidelined. The opposite is true. Encourage them to share how they see themselves supporting you so your birth TEAM can work best together.

Notice how the conversation feels

Do you feel listened to? Can you ask a question without feeling rushed? Are the answers clear? A consult is about the working relationship as much as the checklist. You get to decide whether it is right for you. If the vibe is off or forced, it's likely not the right fit.

Our connection process

At Asher Birth & Body, you start with a connection consult with Kaytlin. She gets to know your needs and goals and helps you explore a doula match. You then have an opportunity to connect with your potential doula. You do not have to know every answer before taking that first step. Bring your questions. We can start there.