When Should I Hire a Doula?
It’s time to answer the burning question: When should I hire a doula? Sooner or later? Well, that depends...how far along are you?
First Trimester?
So you’ve taken a pregnancy test and confirmed your suspicions! Yep, it’s positive! Whether you’re feeling shocked, excited, nervous, elated, or scared (or all of these things!), you know that now you have lots of decisions to make! Some of the first things you might ask yourself are: “Who do I want to catch my baby?” and “Where do I want to give birth?”
Whether you know the answers to those questions or not, if you hire a doula early on in your pregnancy, you have the benefit of asking your doula lots of questions about your options. Does she have a resource list of care providers and birthing facilities? Does she have any recommendations?
A doula in your 1st Trimester can also be helpful as you navigate morning sickness and get used to the whole idea of being pregnant. Establishing a support system early on can help you feel more at ease as you contemplate the next 7-8 months of your pregnancy. Plus, you will get the maximum benefit of her time and the most opportunity to get to know each other well.
Second Trimester?
By now, you are getting settled into your pregnancy. If you are just now looking at the possibility of hiring a doula, you may want to consider that many doulas restrict the number of clients they take on per due date month. This means that if you know which doula you want, you may want to “lock it in” by getting her hired while she still has availability for the month you are due.
Furthermore, during this time in your pregnancy, you may be ready for doula referrals to a local chiropractor or massage therapist or the best childbirth education course. Plus, as your body begins to change and grow, you may find yourself wanting feedback about concerns, answers to your many questions, and a listening ear when you are feeling emotional.
By hiring a doula in your 2nd Trimester, you still have plenty of time to get well-acquainted with each other and create a bond that will help you feel close as you prepare for your upcoming birth. The longer you know your doula, the more familiar you will become and that is always a plus!
Third Trimester?
At this point in your pregnancy, you are well on your way to the finish line. If you have reached this point in your pregnancy and have yet to hire a doula, then now is the time. Hopefully, your birth doula of choice still has room in her schedule! If not, you will want to see who else is available and make your decision as quickly as possible since you have lots of ground to cover together in preparation for your birth.
Most doulas plan to meet with their clients for a couple of prenatal visits around the 8th month of pregnancy, so it’s always advantageous if you’ve hired your doula by this time so that you get the full value of these “preparing for birth” sessions. If you are late to the game, however, she will likely still try to squeeze in some prenatal time with you if possible, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Though it’s always best practice to hire your doula before your 3rd Trimester, if you are just now learning about doulas or making the decision to hire one, don’t give up hope that you will miss out on the opportunity for incredible birth support. You may not have time to bond as fully ahead of time, but doulas are adaptable and if one is available, she won’t leave you hanging, even if you’ve just met!
So what is the short answer to the question: “When should I hire a doula?”
A: The sooner the better!
B: But better late than ever!
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
Happy Birthing!
Free consultation with a Birth Doula