How do I find a Doula and what happens next?

To find a Doula you can do a postcode or area search on the Doula UK website at http://www.doula.org.uk/utilities/userServices/search.asp

Once you have contacted a few Doulas by telephone agree to meet them face to face. Have a set of questions which you feel are relevant to your birth and the experience you want to have. Some examples of questions can be found on the Doula UK site at http://www.doula.org.uk/content/duk/find/Questions_to_ask_birth_doulas.asp for birth doulas and for postnatal doulas at http://www.doula.org.uk/content/duk/find/Questions_to_ask_postnatal_doulas.asp

It is important that you feel comfortable with the Doula and that this is a mutual feeling. Your birth is a very personal experience and as such it is important that you have the right support with you. Perhaps ask for references from other Doulas in the area or from clients that the Doula has supported.

Once you have agreed to engage the services of your Doula they may ask you to sign a contract and to pay a deposit. Some may offer a payment plan or ask for full payment x number of weeks before the birth. Again ask each Doula what they do.
Your Doula will also organise some antenatal appointments with you; these may cover the birth process, your feelings about certain aspects of birth and a session on preparing your birth plan. Every Doula works differently, so please ask them what they do in each of their antenatal and postnatal visits.

A typical package may include:

2 antenatal visits of 2 hours
Telephone calls and e-mails (no limit)
Labour and birth (for however long)
1 postnatal visits (usually 1 to 2 hours)

Some Doulas like to organise the post-natal visit within the first two weeks after the birth of your baby. This visit is to discuss your birth experience, and to help and assist you in the post-natal period. It lasts for approximately 2 hours.

Some Doulas may also have the option in their package of shared care with another recognised Doula, or a back up Doula for any dates that they would be unable to support you and to ensure that you have continunity of care.

You may feel more comfortable engaging the services of a Doula who is a member of Doula UK. As a member of Doula UK we agree to abide by the Doula UK code of practice. Some Doulas may also hold indemnity insurance because they offer holistic therapies such as reflexology, pregnancy massage, hypnosis etc. Please remember we are not there to deliver your baby that is the role of the midwife we are there to support you continuously throughout your pregancy, birth and postnatally.

Part of Doula Uk's membership is that doulas are either recognised or trainees. The following is from the Doula UK website with reference to recognised and trainee doulas:
"At the beginning of 2004, we introduced a "Recognition Process" for doulas in the UK where we have established a distinction between doulas who have simply registered with us as trainee doulas, and those who are recognised doulas. The trainee doulas that appear in our Find a Doula section have completed a Doula UK approved training course but they have not acquired the level of experience necessary for them to become fully recognised. This level of experience is normally four assessed births for birth doulas and four assessed postnatal jobs for postnatal doulas. Many trainee doulas have other forms of experience and other skills, so please don't discount them simply due to the fact that they are a trainee."

If you are looking for a Doula and not sure if your financial circumstances can stretch to one (we are worth every penny) there is the option of assistance for clients on low incomes via the support of the Doula UK Hardship Fund. Please ask the Doula that you contact about accessing the fund.


Please note that Doulas work alongside your ante-natal care which you receive from you GP practice. We are not a replacement for your GP or midwife but work co-operatively with them.