Randy Patterson, owner of ProDoula, wrote a blog called “Ten Questions to Ask a Doula” and we’ve decided to answer.
1. Will you answer my questions without bias? Absolutely! We will provide you with the most up to date information to help you make the right decisions for your family. Our job is to be a comfort to you while you make the best decisions for your family.
2. Will you judge me if I make different decisions than you would? Nope! We love that the world is a diverse place. We will support your decisions, we’ll even be your biggest cheerleader!
3. Will you respect the relationship my partner and I have? Our goal is to support you and your birth partner so that when you look back on your birth we fade into the background. We want you two to be the stars of the show, not us!
4. Are you equipped with a variety of strategies for supporting all types of labor and birth? Yes! We’ve been to a lot of labors! We have see early epidurals, last minute epidurals, and we’ve supported clients through non-medicated births. We’ve been there for planned and unplanned cesareans. We’ve helped partners who were really involved, and some who aren’t so comfortable with that. We’ve helped clients plan for inductions, and we’ve answered the phone to when client’s water has broken and the baby is coming quickly. We’ve had clients have babies on the floor at home, clients who prefer to birth standing up, and clients who prefer to do it with their legs up in stirrups. Our clients have chosen obstetricians and midwives, at all of the major hospitals and birth centers in our area. We are prepared to support you in any form your labor takes.
5. Are you competent and capable? Yes we are, but you don’t have to take our word for it, ask us for our list of references.
6. Are you accountable and available? We’re on-call 24/7! When you need us, we’re there.
7. Do you have a back-up system in place in the event that you are unavailable? You betcha! Each client has a primary doula and a backup doula who will attend both the complimentary consultation and the prenatal appointment. It is important to us that you develop a level of comfort so that you trust and feel our doulas, which is why we have you spend so much time with the primary and the back up doula.
8. Do you have a legal contract in place? Yes, our contract is very important to our business. We’re also insured!
9. Did you take a hands on, in-person doula training? Yes, while not everything we have learned has come from our hands on training, you can rest assured that we are properly trained.
10. Are you supported by a reputable organization with a grievance policy in place? Yes, you can contact our certification organizations at any time with any questions or concerns.
We would love to chat with you in person about these questions or any others you may have please give us a call- 240-606-16382 or send us an email to info@chesapeakebirthandbaby.com