How to Choose a Postpartum Doula

Choosing a Raleigh postpartum professional to support your family through the early weeks of transitioning into parenthood can be a daunting task. Google searches, friendly recommendations, phone calls, and interviews. But how will you know which postpartum doula is the right postpartum doula?

Depending on your approach, you may go with your gut, hired based strictly on a recommendation, or interview the most likely candidates and compare the date to choose the right fit. Regardless of your go-to method for making decisions, there are a few things you’ll want to know about your postpartum doula before signing a contract.

What is your parenting philosophy?

We recommend seeking a doula who understands that parenting looks different for each family. Someone who will support the choices you make for your family will be best able to help you feel confident and connected in the first weeks and months. 

Briana, owner of Birth and Beyond, Inc. and postpartum doula, cares for your newborn how you would care for your newborn. She does not impose her parenting beliefs/philosophy onto you, but instead ascribes to your parenting philosophy when caring for your newborn.

What kinds of community connections have you made?

One of the most valuable assets a postpartum doula can have are her community connections and resources. Does she have relationships with care providers, lactation professionals, sleep experts, chiropractors, etc., in the Raleigh area? A professional postpartum doula is constantly curating relationships with others that offer care to new families to best support clients, offer referrals, and gather information as needed. 

Briana has a network of referrals available to you.

Do you have liability insurance?

Professionals carry liability insurance. People can be injured, property can be damaged, lawsuits can occur. These are realities of living life and doing business. By seeking a doula with liability insurance you can be certain the doula has completed a training an insurance company is comfortable aligning with and will be hiring a doula who takes her career seriously. Briana carries insurance through CM&F Group, Inc.

Do you have any infant age restrictions?

Depending on their background and/or training organization, postpartum doulas may only support families within the first 12 weeks. A postpartum doula that is comfortable working with your family for the first year and beyond can help you implement systems, offer consistency of care, and means you’ll have someone you are comfortable with on your team throughout your experience. 

Briana has the ability to support you for the first year of your baby’s life. Part of her referral network includes the proper resources for families with children 1+ years old.

What is your availability?

It will be important to know what the postpartum doulas’s availability is around your due date. How does you doula manage booking and scheduling when taking on more than one client? If you have your heart set on working with one specific postpartum doula, it will probably be in your best interest to secure the hours you want in advance. This will ensure your postpartum doula is available to you when you need her. 

Briana provides both daytime and overnight postpartum support. Aleyda Mercado, another phenomenal Raleigh area doula, also provides daytime doula support on Briana’s behalf when necessary. Briana manages her schedule carefully to ensure you will receive adequate support.

What happens if you are sick or have other obligations?

Postpartum doulas might seem invincible but we’re human and get sick and have family emergencies, just like anyone else. Be sure your postpartum doula has a plan for when she isn’t available to support your family. 

Briana is deeply rooted in the Raleigh postpartum community. She has two definitive back up postpartum doulas (one who provides daytime services only, and the other who does both daytime and overnight services), and she has a network of 3 more postpartum doulas who are contracted for back up doula support.

References and Training

Additionally, postpartum doulas should have references, police information checks, proof of postpartum doula training, and proof of first aid and CPR training, available for your review. Don’t be afraid to ask for any information you need to feel safe. 

If you are planning for postpartum doula support in Raleigh, we’d love to meet with you. Book a consultation today!

Birth and Beyond Doula Services

Unbiased, evidence-based postpartum doula support