The 13 best interview questions to ask a doula

Choosing a doula is more than checking a box on your birth or postpartum prep list– it’s about finding someone who will be in your corner during one of the most transformative times in your life. Whether you're planning for a calm, unmedicated birth, aiming for flexibility, or just want a reassuring presence during those sleepless newborn nights, your doula should be someone you feel completely comfortable with.

The best way to know if a doula is the right match? Ask the right questions.

Think of your doula interview as part job interview, part gut check. Yes, you’ll want to understand their training and experience but just as important is how you feel when you talk to them. Supported? Heard? Empowered? That matters.

Below, we’ve outlined seven essential questions to ask every doula, plus a few tailored questions depending on whether you're hiring a birth doula or a postpartum doula. For each question, we explain why it’s worth asking, and how to assess the answers so you can move forward with confidence.

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1. What inspired you to become a doula?

Why it matters: This question gets to the heart of your doula’s motivation. You're hiring someone to support you through one of life’s most intimate and vulnerable transitions, understanding why they do this work can tell you a lot about how they’ll do it.

Partum Health Talent Acquisition, Training, and Development Manager, and Birth and Postpartum, and Childbirth Educator since 2014, Giovanna Otavalo says the answer to this question “gives you insight into their inspiration to pursue this career and may shape the way they practice. Was their path inspired by their own experience, as a lifelong passion, or as an extension of their other interests?”

What to listen for: Look for a response that blends passion with purpose. Whether they share a personal birth story or a desire to improve maternal care, their answer should feel authentic and grounded in empathy.

2. How long have you been practicing, and what types of families have you worked with?

Why it matters: Experience isn’t everything, but it can give you a sense of the doula’s comfort level in a variety of situations. It’s also helpful to know if they’ve supported families with similar needs, values, or circumstances.

What to listen for: A strong answer includes both time and type of experience– how many clients they’ve supported, what stages (birth, postpartum, twins, NICU, etc.), and how that informs their approach. Look for someone who feels confident but still customizes their care.

3. What does a strong doula-client relationship look like to you?

Why it matters: Every doula has a different working style. This question flips the script, inviting them to share what they hope you bring to the table and how they create a supportive dynamic.

What to listen for: Look for a collaborative manner. A great answer might mention mutual respect, open communication, emotional safety, and setting clear boundaries. This is also a great time to hear how they handle feedback or evolving needs.

4. What’s your preferred communication style and availability like?

Why it matters: Some doulas text back in minutes, others check email once a day. Knowing how accessible your doula is during pregnancy and postpartum is key to managing expectations and avoiding stress.

What to listen for: You want clarity and boundaries. A good answer might include: response times, whether they offer check-ins, and how they prefer to be contacted. Bonus if they mention what to do in a non-emergency moment of panic at 2 a.m.

Some doulas keep notes in a notebook in the nursery, others might recommend baby tracking apps, or some might text the family at the end of their shift. If you are a low-tech parent, you may love a daily log in a journal. If you prefer to use technology, keeping a shared note in your phone or logging information via an app might be more your style. “Postpartum doulas are often a wealth of information, so knowing your doula might share book recommendations or links to trusted resources also helps!” Otavalo adds.

5. How do you handle situations where your values or approach differ from your client's?

Why it matters: You want a doula who is adaptable and nonjudgmental, someone who supports your birth plan and choices, even if they differ from their own preferences.

What to listen for: A great doula will talk about holding space, staying flexible, and never imposing their beliefs. Be wary of anyone who seems rigid or overly opinionated in their response.

6. Do you work with a backup or team in case you’re unavailable?

Why it matters: Doulas are human and life happens. Asking about backup coverage ensures you won’t be left unsupported if they get sick, are at another birth, or have an emergency.

What to listen for: Ideally, they work with a trusted backup who shares a similar philosophy and offers a chance for you to connect with that person. You want a plan that feels reliable, not just a vague promise.

7. Do you have a list of referrals in case my family needs escalated care?

Why it matters: Pediatricians are great for medical referrals, however, your doula is often connected to other professionals who specialize in the perinatal period. 

What to listen for: They might know lactation consultants, behavioral health specialists, local babysitting groups, new parent support groups, and more. 

‍Questions to ask a birth doula

8. What does your support look like if things don’t go as planned?

Why it matters: Birth, postpartum, and parenting rarely follow a script. Understanding how a doula supports you during unexpected changes, like a planned induction, an unplanned C-section, NICU time, or mental health struggles, can reveal their true value.

What to listen for: You want someone who names specific ways they’ve helped clients through Plan B (or C or D), and who speaks calmly and confidently about the unpredictability of this journey.

9. How do you work with hospital staff, OBs, or midwives during labor?

Why it matters: Doulas don’t replace medical providers; they complement them. This question helps you gauge their professionalism and ability to collaborate in high-stress settings.

What to listen for: Listen for words like “teamwork,” “respect,” and “advocate without interfering.” You want someone who can help translate medical language and boost your voice, not create tension in the room.

10. What pain management techniques do you use or suggest?

Why it matters: Whether you're planning for an unmedicated birth or open to the epidural, your doula should have a toolkit to support your comfort.

What to listen for: Great doulas mention things like breathwork, counter-pressure, movement, massage, visualization, and positioning. You’re listening for both breadth of knowledge and a willingness to tailor techniques to your preferences.

Questions to ask a postpartum doula

11. How do you support parents emotionally in those early weeks?

Why it matters: The postpartum period is a swirl of exhaustion, hormones, and big feelings. You’re not just hiring someone to care for the baby– you’re also inviting someone into your emotional space during a vulnerable time.

What to listen for: Look for someone who speaks with compassion and emphasizes emotional support alongside practical help. Bonus points if they mention signs of postpartum mood disorders and how they help clients navigate mental health resources when needed.

12. What tasks do you typically help with during the day/night? What won’t you help with?

Why it matters: "Postpartum support" can mean different things to different people. This question helps clarify exactly what’s included in their care, and ensures it aligns with what you actually need.

What to listen for: A strong candidate will list tasks like newborn care (feeding, diapering, soothing), light household support (baby laundry, bottle washing), meal prep, and guidance on infant routines. Night doulas may also mention how they handle feedings (e.g., bringing the baby to you vs. bottle-feeding pumped milk or formula).

13. How do you support infant feeding?

Why it matters: Feeding can be one of the most emotionally charged and confusing aspects of early parenting. You want someone who is knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and able to troubleshoot feeding challenges with sensitivity.

What to listen for: The best doulas are flexible and informed. Whether you plan to breastfeed, combo feed, or formula feed, they should offer respectful support and practical tips. If they have training in lactation support (like being a Certified Lactation Counselor), that’s a major plus– but even without credentials, they should know when to refer you to an IBCLC if needed.

There’s no one “perfect” doula– only the one that’s right for you. Trust your instincts as much as their credentials. The right doula will meet you where you are, help you feel prepared (not pressured), and offer steady, nonjudgmental support as you step into this new chapter.

Whether you're welcoming your first baby or adding to your growing family, these conversations can help you build the kind of birth and postpartum team that leaves you feeling informed, cared for, and truly seen.

When in doubt? Ask the question. A good doula won’t just answer, they’ll listen.