When to Hire a Birth Doula

When to hire a birth doula - you can hire a birth doula at any time during your pregnancy!

Some people hire their doula as soon as they take a positive pregnancy test, and others don't decide they want a doula until they are in labor, so there is a wide spectrum of possibility.

If you know you want a doula, you will have a better selection of doulas available for your estimated due date if you interview earlier rather than later. The closer you get to your due date, the more doulas will be booked for your due month.

​It also makes sense to hire a doula earlier in your pregnancy, if possible, so you can have the support of the doula throughout your pregnancy in addition to your labor and birth. Doulas can help with research and informational support during pregnancy, as well as helping you create a birth plan that you can share with your care providers. Doulas also provide emotional support during pregnancy, which can be just as valuable during the early months of pregnancy as it is in the later months and during birth.

Most doulas offer free consultations with the birthing person/couple. You can set up as many or as few of these as you like and then make your selection based on who you feel has the best fit/connection. Additionally, Doulas of Iowa City offers quarterly "Meet the Doulas" events in the Corridor where pregnant folks can meet a number of doulas from different businesses and agencies at one location in a single afternoon. 

We asked local parents, "When did you hire your birth doula?"

After having a doula with my first baby, I called her immediately after receiving a positive test with babies #2 and #3. I wanted to be sure to get on her schedule! - Tina H.

I hired a doula around the midpoint of my pregnancy. I wanted the time to interview several doulas and find the perfect fit - but it just so happened that we loved the first doula we interviewed and didn't need to do any more interviews. Having her in place made me feel so much more confident as the weeks of pregnancy ticked by and we anticipated baby's birth. - Johanna T.

I knew I wanted a doula even before I became pregnant. I love my husband, and I trust him, but I wanted a woman there and someone who was there just for me. - Corey H.

We hired a doula very early in my pregnancy- before the end of the first trimester! Having the constant text/call support was so comforting and important to me as a first-time mom. - Emma B.

My DH has gotten me through lots of tough situations and we didn’t have much money, so I thought he’d be a good enough birth partner. Decided at the last minute and after much research (maybe a month from my due date) to hire [our doula]. - Christine N.

Want to find your perfect doula fit? Check out all the fabulous member doulas of Doulas of Iowa City or join us at our next Meet the Doula event!

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Grace is a trained birth and postpartum doula at Iowa City Birth Services, and provides unbiased, non-judgmental support to all birthing people. Grace is passionate about supporting and empowering families throughout pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Grace is the mother of a spirited three-year-old son and is expecting her second child in September 2018. ​