Finding a Doula: How Does She Show Up?

How do you want your doula to show up in your space?

The national burn out rate for solo practice doulas is about 2 years. Anyone who takes call 24/7 for a prolonged period will wind up burnt out eventually.

As you look for a doula, find out if she operates solo or in the context of an agency or partnership. While solo doulas offer some benefits, doulas who work in partnership with one or more doulas may be able to offer more.

Doula caring for laboring mama.

Solo Doulas:

- Provide you individualized care throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

- They attempt to space out the due dates of the mamas they contract with in order to assure they will be available at the time of your birth. Often, they will take call for your birth from 38-42 weeks (anything before or after that timeframe may not guarantee their presence at your birth)

- May have a doula on back up call if they have two mamas in labor at the same time. You may or may not get to meet this doula ahead of time.

- May have to navigate dropping off kids or waiting for the sitter to arrive before they can come to attend you in labor

- May show up exhausted having just come from another birth or having gotten very little sleep/recovery time

Doula Partnerships:

- Allow you to connect with one doula for your pregnancy and postpartum support

- Often allow you to meet the other doulas that they partner with

- Maintain a team approach and clear communication

- Doula will show up in your space on time and well rested as call calendars allow for recovery time

- If birth gets long, there is already a backup plan with a partner doula

- Can take call for preterm or post term births and still guarantee support

Consider whether you're more comfortable hiring a solo doula and increasing the likelihood of her support at your birth, or if the benefits of a partner model meet your needs more fully.

You can learn more about our doula partnership at: www.birthdoulasofmichiana.com