It's hard as first time parents to know everything that there is to know about finding the right people to help bring your new little life into the world. Here are a few questions for your care provider, as well as your doula. These can provide a little help during your interview process. Happy Labor Days!!

Questions to ask you care provider:
 
- Is there a limit to the number of people who can accompny me during my birth? How do you feel about a labor support professional like a doula or massage therapist joining my birth team?
 
- Will I be able to eat and drink in labor?

 - If I were interested in having a natural, unmedicated birth, how would you feel about that?

 - What comfort measures do you recommend?
        for example: freely changing positions, hydrotherapy, a doula, epidural, narcotics

 - What are you recommendations if my water breaks before contractions have begun? How long after my water breaks do you recommend induction if my labor doesn't start on it's own?

 - What are your protocols regarding my due date, inducing labor 40 weeks? 41 weeks?

 - Do you believe in active management during the first phase of labor? For example, would progress of less then 1cm per hour call for artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) or pitocin? If everything is fine with me and my baby, will I be able to labor at my own pace for as long as I need?

 - If you feel that labor needs to be stimulated, what methods do you recommned?
        for example: herbs, nipple stimulation, castor oil, intercourse if my water is not broken, enema, acupuncture, stripping of membranes, breaking my water, pitocin

 - What is your protocol regardign the following procedures and how often do you perform them:
1.  IV's
2. Continuous versus intermittent fetal monitoring
3. Internal fetal monitoring
4. Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM) and what CM
5. Epidural
6. Assisted vaginal delivery (forceps/vacuum)
7. Episiotomy

 - What is your cesarean rate? What factors do you believe contribute to that rate? What is your VBAC rate? What are your standard protocols for VBAC mothers?

 - Will I be able to choose the position that I push and give birth in? For example: side lying, all fours, or squatting?

 - Can my baby remain with me at all times after birth? Do you support skin to skn contact between me and my baby immediately after birth?

 - (For homebirth midwives) How long will you stay with me after the birth

 - (for homebirth midwives) What is your transfer rate to the hospital? Who are your consultant OB's? Will I be able to meet and interview them?

 - source: The guide to a healthy birth www.choicesinchildbirth.org

Questions to ask potential doulas:

- What training have you had?

 - Are you certified, and by what organization?

 - Tell us about your experiences with birth both personally and as a doula.

 - What is your philosophy about childbirth and labor support?

 - May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting us through childbirth?

 - May we call you with questions and concerns before and after the birth?

 - When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our house or meet us at the hospital?

 - Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?

 - What, if any, options do you offer to help document our birth story?

 - Do you work with one or more backup doulas to cover for times that you may be unavailable? May we meet them?

 - What is your fee?

When you meet with the doula, (and it is a good idea for you and your partner to meet with her), pay particular attention to your perception of the doula. Is she warm, kind, and enthusiastic? Is she knowledgable? Does she communicate well? Is she a good listener? Is she comfortable with your choices? Do you feel comfortable with her? You may want to interview more then one doula, or if you like the first doula and backup that you meet, you may not need to look further! 

 - source: Doulas of North America (DONA)