The Best Birth Doula in Orange County: How to Spot Them!

Labor of Love has been around for quite a long time now. We have seen so many changes in our industry and been at the leading edge as birth and postpartum doula support became mainstream. When I started Labor of Love in 2012, I had a small dream of being able to educate families that wanted to be more prepared emotionally and physically for their birth experience.

I had no idea that 13 years later, Labor of Love would go from a small solo practice of one doula (me, Staci Berrey) to the first doula agency in Orange County and one of the first in the nation offering birth and postpartum doula support, childbirth and breastfeeding education, and lactation services. As an agency, Labor of Love has mentored 50+ birth and postpartum doulas, some that continued their passion in field and others that have become nurses and midwives. All of which had helped Labor of Love support about 900 families in birth, 600 families through postpartum doula support and 1000's of expecting couples through Connected Childbirth, our inclusive childbirth education series. This journey has been a wild ride as birth is unpredictable and anything (and I mean anything) can happen!

With that said, I wanted to share with you, those looking for a doula, how to spot the BEST BIRTH DOULA IN ORANGE COUNTY. It may surprise you...

First off, when you search for such resources on-line you will find tons of sites with a list of questions to ask:

What training does the doula have?

Are they certified and with whom?

Why did they become a doula?

Do they attend hospital births? Home births?

How many clients do they have around my due date?

How many births have they attended?

How would they describe their doula ‘style’?

And, while these questions can give you insight into how a particular doula works, none of these questions will reveal that this person IS a wonderful doula.

How to really spot the BEST doula:

Responsiveness - This means from your first inquiry this person/team responds to you in a timely and professional manner. You receive an email or call back within 24 hours (or sooner). If they are unavailable, they let you know and are accountable for the delay. Remember, doulas are on-call for you and if it takes days or a week to get a response from them, what will that translate to when you are in labor and need them immediately?

NOTICE:

• How quickly do they respond to you.

• Do you get a sense that your needs are important from their response?

• Do they seem interested in supporting you?

• Words are powerful and how you feel from their initial response says a lot!

Professionalism - This means that from the moment you send your inquiry, there is a professional system in place working towards supporting your needs. Initially, that may simply mean getting the information you requested with next steps. From the start, you want this person/team to help you with expectations and understanding the process of working with them. This is how you want to be treated in birth; clear expectations and their help throughout the entire process. When there is a professional system in place to support you from the start, it shows intention and that no matter where you are in the process, they will take care of your needs.

NOTICE:

• Did you receive all information you requested?

• Was the process to contact them and receive their information easy and clear?

• Do they offer next steps if you want to move forward?

• Are they being attentive and following up with you?

Emotional Maturity - That means that this person/team relieve your fears and anxieties and does not indulge them! That they are able to support you in your choices and desires (regardless of how YOU want to birth) AND they can help you navigate your choices IF things do not go as planned without judgment. An emotional mature doula will combat your fears with positives and reinforce your choices.

NOTICE:

• Do they tell you about other clients and/or trauma bond by sharing their own birth experience? 🛑

• Do they make every interaction ALL ABOUT THEMSELVES and not about YOU? 🛑

• Do they disparage your choices and fear monger? 🛑

• Do they disparage your medical team or hospital? 🛑.

• Do they listen to your concerns and fears, validate them, and then offer a way to reframe or understand your fears in a different less fearful light. 👍

• Do they ask you if you want more information rather then just offer their unsolicited option. 👍

• Do they listen more then talk? 👍

• Do they know when to come forward and when to step away? 👍

I know that this way of approaching hiring and spotting the best birth doula may seem harder than simply asking them where they were certified; however, by noticing the small things and paying attention to their "vibe" you can learn a lot about how they will treat you when it is most important.

For more information and to connect with one of our Best Birth doulas in Orange County, click here.