How did you choose your doula? And how many did you interview?

[schroedingersdodo]

I've spoken to a few doulas and I'm not sure which one to pick. I'll be away from the UK for quite a while and I'm sure if I should get one secured now or leave it to when I come back (I'll be about 24 weeks by then) - and then maybe speak to a few more.

How do I know which one is right for me?

How did you make this decision? Did you get it right?

Advice from more experienced women appreciated.

With my first, the doula was assigned to me as part of new program ny hospital was offering. IF we didn't get on, I could meet someone else. But she was great!

With this baby, I am meeting 2. One on Tuesday and one next week. I am 36 weeks, and just returned to the UK a few days ago.
I think 24 weeks is still lots of time, unless you are in an area where doulas get booked up ages in advance.

We booked ours (third pregnancy, but first doula - just feel this time that it would be nice to have someone focusing on me as I know all too well that the second I return from the hospital I will have - gulp - three DC to deal with!!)

We found her at 19 weeks - which is stunningly early, but we do actually live somewhere where they get booked up very, very early: In our doula's own words: 'Some people pee on a stick and then go out and book their doula', so we were actually lucky to get her for our due date!!

I chose mine based on a friend's report of her, but I think that the most important things for me where her experience in dealing with women with previous traumatic births and her breadth of knowledge.

She was so good I booked her again for birth number three.

I only decided to look into having a doula at 34 weeks, met one and clicked with her straightaway. I had quite a traumatic birth with dc1 and was getting more and more panicky the closer I got to dday with dc2. She was so supportive and confident that things could be different she gave me confidence. On the day she was fantastic and helped me have the most amazing birth so was definitely the right choice for me.

I actually only met one, there was a bit of a shortage in the area I was living and decided if I liked her I would use her. she was fabulous. I have now moved and am meeting with one this week (12 weeks), I will probably book her if I like her.

I think you will get a feeling, also recommendations plus there may be lots of questions you have - can she answer those tp your satisfaction?

When choosing the doula for the birth of DC1, I only met one person but had talked to a couple of others on the phone - I'd looked at their websites too. I'd have chosen her again for the birth of DC2 (August this year) but she is on holiday for quite a lot of the on call period and I didn't want the uncertainty of having a backup doula for as much of the on call period as it would have involved. So we looked at another lot of websites and sent initial emails to 3 different possibles, met two of them in person.

I should have said, the choice between the two I saw this time was very close but one of them I just felt more quickly comfortable with. I would have been quite happy with the other one too but it just clicked very quickly with the person we chose.

The first full meeting we're having is in June so I'll be over 30 weeks by then. I think while you can leave it as late as you propose with your trip, you do need to factor in any questions of whether there are holiday times coming up that doulas may be having family holidays during.

I met one doula, loved her and booked her within 24 hours. She was amazing and I definitely made the right choice. I just felt instantly comfortable with her, and so did DH. I also wanted someone not too hippy, which she wasn't.

I think I booked her around four months. I would not dare leave it any later in my neck of the woods as they book up really early.

I'm in London and they seem to be booked up quite early so the both time I wanted a doula, only two were available... And each time one of them did not have children which to me is essential for a doula!!!
They were /are both nice and experienced.

Thanks for the replies. I think probably 24 weeks is not that late, but since doulas only have one client a month, I'd be wary of someone getting there first... (I'm a bit anxious, as you can see...)

I'm in NW London and think that they get booked early-ish. I've met one doula who said I could book her up to the 39th week, but then again she just books loads of women at the same time and uses back ups... Not exactly what I'd like.

Reading your answers I realized that on fact my selection is not really between 3, but between loads, because I've been through lots of websites, and these were the ones I liked best.
I want someone who is not too hippy either, and who will defend me on hospital (had a bad experience with first birth).
Is anyone here in NW London? I wonder if any of you know the doulas I've met, and could help me a bit. I don't have any recommendations from friends, as most friends didn't have doulas, and the few who had live quite far from where I am.

Anyway, thanks again for your stories.

just out of curiosity ...howmany hours is everyone hirin the post natal doula for
I only need someone for 16 to 20 hours a monht and am findin it hard....i liked one but she said she only works in blocks of 5 hours at least three times a week...i cant afford to have someone for fifteen hours a week...
'wonderin what everyone else is doin

My doula is only doing 2 post natal visits of probably 1-2 hrs each.
I've hired a nanny/mother help to provide me more support for the longer term (3 under 4, I am not superwoman!!!)

OP -I'm south east London, but if you start a specific thread you might be able to get recommendations?