So you've decided to hire a Doula to support your pregnancy, labour and birth,.....might I add, you've made an excellent choice!

While Doulas are becoming more mainstream, as the benefits become more widely solidified and known, there are a surprising number of us.  So choosing the right fit for you can be overwhelming.  I want to help you make this important decision.  Here are my top tips;

• Don't interview too many people. Faces will start to blend together and you might get lost in the weeds trying to decide.  My advice, interview 2 or 3 people.  Then interview more if you really don’t feel great about anyone you’ve met.
• Focus on the feel!  The feel is more important than how many births someone has supported or what organization they trained with.  A good connection is the foundation of the relationship you and your partner and your Doula will form.  The Doula's energy and presence should help you relax and instill confidence.
• What is the Doula's birth philosophy?  A Doula should be objective and not have an opinion on how you should labour or birth your baby.  A Doula provides current evidence-based information and helps parents build and support the birth plan that works for you!  A Doula cannot guarantee specific birth outcomes, but they should be doing their very best to help you achieve your birth goals,  and have the flexibility to help you adjust to any unforeseen changes.

Having a Doula improves outcomes and enhances your birth experience.  Don't overthink it, follow your intuition and you will find the right Doula for you!

I have heard many an expectant folk say, "why do I need a birth plan?" "It makes you sound demanding," or my personal favorite, "I don't need one, I'll be fine!"  Birth is better with a plan, or at least with clear wishes or preferences.  It's not that medical providers don't care about your wishes, but the reality is, when you get admitted to a hospital, you are now a patient and you will be offered medical choices!  Your providers won't know your wishes, unless you do.  My advice, write it down.

Having a birth plan, encourages you to think about what your options really are, and you do have options.  What if I told you that you don't need to have that icky IV port right away, you can have it later if you choose to have pain medication.  Or, that often you can have intermittent fetal monitoring rather than continuous monitoring.  That in fact, continuous fetal monitoring increases cesarean rates.  Also, pushing does not have to be the ever enjoyable counting to ten, three times per contraction.  Yes, some people giving birth will want/need some direction, especially if you've had an epidural.  But the fetal ejection reflex is pretty powerful, people in coma's have pushed out babies.  

Long story short, a birth plan, allows you to explore what is available to you during your labour and birth, discover the risks and benefits and make informed decisions that will enhance your birth experience.  You want your birth memories to be of you making decisions, not having them all made for you.​