My Best Tips for Hiring the Perfect Doula for Your Birth and Postpartum Journey
If you’re planning your birth and postpartum journey, you might be wondering: How do I find the right doula? Maybe you’ve heard amazing things about doulas—how they provide emotional, physical, and informational support - that we can lower your odds of a c-section by over 30% and increase the chance of feeling good about your birth and postpartum time. You know you want a doula — but now you’re faced with a new challenge: choosing the perfect one. And let’s be real, it can feel overwhelming!
The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone. As a first-time parent in LA or Orange County, you deserve a doula who truly understands your vision for birth and postpartum and helps you feel confident every step of the way. In this guide, I’m sharing my top tips for finding the right doula—so you can feel empowered, informed, and excited for the journey ahead.
Why Having the Right Birth and Postpartum Doula Matters
Choosing the right doula is so much more personal than just hiring extra support. It’s about having someone in your corner who gets YOU
Understands your birth preferences and respects your choices.
Offers continuous reassurance and potentially hands-on comfort
Helps your partner feel confident and involved (!!)
Guides you through the early postpartum weeks with expert care and encouragement
Your doula is your birth bestie, your steady anchor in the waves of labor, and your go-to resource for all things postpartum. So let’s make sure you find the one that’s the perfect match for you.
1. Get Clear on What You Want and Need
Before you start your search, take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you. Grab a piece of paper and jot down some thoughts. Things I’d consider:
Birth preferences: Are you planning an unmedicated birth? Open to an epidural? Having a cesarean birth? Choosing a doula who has experience in what you’re hoping for is a great starting point.
Personality fit: Do you want someone who is calm and grounding or someone with high-energy encouragement? This is a BIG one when matching clients with doulas.
Postpartum support: Do you need overnight care, lactation support, or newborn sleep guidance? It can be overwhelming but figuring out your priorities will help narrow down the support search.
Great work! Having clarity on your needs will help you find a doula who aligns with your vision.
2. Ask the Right Questions During Consultations
A great doula-client relationship starts with a great conversation! When interviewing potential doulas, ask questions like:
What is your experience supporting births at my chosen hospital or birth center?
How do you support partners during labor and postpartum?
What comfort cares techniques do you use?
How do you handle unexpected changes in birth plans?
Do you offer postpartum support, and what does that include?
Their answers will give you insight into their approach, personality, and how well they fit your needs.
3. Consider Their Training, Experience, and Philosophy
Not all doulas have the same background, so take time to understand their:
Certifications and training: Look for doulas trained by reputable organizations like DONA, CAPPA, or ProDoula.
Experience level: Some doulas specialize in hospital births, while others focus on home births or postpartum care.
Philosophy on birth and parenting: Make sure their beliefs align with yours—whether you want evidence-based guidance, holistic care, or a balance of both, doulas not only have their professional trainings but their personal beliefs coming to support you.
4. Trust Your Instincts—It’s All About the Connection
Gut Check! You’ll be spending some of the most intimate moments of your life with your doula. So beyond experience and training, the biggest factor is how they make you feel.
Ask yourself:
Do I feel comfortable and safe with this person?
Do they listen to me and respect my wishes?
Do they bring a sense of calm and confidence to our conversations?
If the answer is yes—trust that feeling! I always say if it isn’t a loud yes, then it’s a no. Keep talking to doulas until you feel that loud yes coming out of your gut!
5. Book a Consultation with a Doula-Matching Service
Finding the right doula can feel like dating—you want to find the one that just clicks. That’s why we offer free doula-matching consultations to connect you with the best birth and postpartum doulas in LA and Orange County.
Schedule your free consultation today, and we’ll help you find the doula who fits your birth and postpartum vision perfectly!
Ready to Find Your Perfect Doula?
Hiring a doula is one of the best decisions you can make for your birth and postpartum journey. With the right support, you’ll feel more confident, more prepared, and deeply cared for every step of the way.
So tell me—what’s the most important thing you’re looking for in a doula? Drop a comment below, and let’s start the conversation!
