When should I hire a Doula?

Anonymous
I am positive that I want to hire a Doula to come to the hospital with me. When should I book one? I'm only 6 weeks pregnant, but I don't want to wait too long to discover that the Doulas I'm interested in are already booked!
elindse1
Member Offline
We booked ours at about 16 or 17 weeks. But I don't think it's ever too early!
Anonymous
I'd wait until your 2nd tri, unless your doula has a refund policy for miscarriages. (Sad, but practical.) But then, definitely get on it!
Anonymous
For april birth I found out in December we were already too late they were all booked!
Anonymous
congratulations on your pregnancy! i agree it's never too early. i'm a doula, and am already interviewing with couples due in august and september. some people do contact us very early in pregnancy, and as a result, we can book up pretty fast if we take a limited number of births (for example I only take two per month). if someone were to hire me early in pregnancy and then unfortunately experience a loss, i would of course refund all of their deposit, and help connect them with resources to support them during the loss. and i imagine most if not all other doulas would do the same. i see no harm in contacting doulas now if you are sure you want one -- you'll be able to have your pick, as most won't be booked up yet!

Anonymous
OP. 13:34, thanks for your opinion. I wanted to be sure that doulas weren't going to think I was crazy if I started contacting them in a couple of weeks.
Anonymous
I'm also a doula and I'm booking clients as far ahead as late August. I still have a few openings for the summer months, but booking up quickly.

http://www.doulamatch.net
http://www.birthoptionsalliance.org/birth-doulas.html
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