Finding a Doula
and not getting lost in the process
So, you’ve decided to explore hiring a doula, but you’re not sure where to start. Or maybe you’re a doula and you are looking for places to list yourself, or ways to advertise. Whether you’re looking for a fertility doula, birth doula, postpartum doula, death doula, lactation consultant, childbirth educator, here are some search ideas for you.
First things first: Google doula and your town (e.g. Atlanta Doula) and see what comes up. Perhaps there is a doula collective, or a few individual doulas that come up. Don’t just look at the first page, sift through a few and see who is listed. If you’re a doula, make sure your SEO is set so that you show up on a search. Here are some tips for getting your website to show up.
Next, head to things like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and do the same search. You’re looking for tags, account names, and other things like Facebook groups and such. You can also search on NextDoor or see if your local hospital or birthing center has a list of doula providers. Note if you choose to utilize a list from a hospital or birthing center, I suggest making sure the doula operates independently.
You can also find a plethora of doulas on various directory sites, such as the ones listed below:
1. BADT Directory
2. National Black Doula Association
3. Black Doula Directory
4. Queer Doula Network
5. Poppy Seed Health
6. Meela
7. Birthee
8. DoulaMatch
9. NewMom.Me
10. Birthworks International
Drop other search options in the chat!
How do I choose a doula?
Folks come into the search with different things in mind. Perhaps it’s most important to you to have a doula who can provide culturally congruent care, something from your culture who understands you on that level. Perhaps you are interested in finding a doula with a specific religious practice, or someone who has completed a certain number of births. Maybe you just want to vibe well with them. Whatever your guidelines, don’t be afraid to do a few interviews. Not every doula is for every body and not every body is for every doula. Find someone you trust, feel comfortable with, and can accept support from.
ALSO, SOME EXCITING NEWS!!
I am also accepting a limited number of clients for remote childbirth education and birth prep. If that interests you, learn more & enter your information here.