Finding a Birth Doula in Tampa, FL

Are you considering hiring a birth doula in Tampa, FL? Giving birth can be terrifying, especially for first timers. Not knowing what to expect, how your body will do and making a birthing plan with so many options you’ve never even heard of until now can weigh on you from the moment you get a positive result. One of the options you may be weighing is having a birth doula join your team for the birth of your child. Birth doulas are professionals who are trained in childbirth, specifically supporting parents emotionally, physically and advocating for them when they’re otherwise occupied. Unlike a doctor or midwife, a birth doula won’t be there to deliver your baby, they will be there solely to help create a safe space for you as you enter the next phase of your parenting journey. 

Finding a birth doula in Tampa, FL

1. Buddha Belly Birth
2. One Love Doula
3. Doula Hive
4. Happiest Doulas
5. Facebook: Facebook groups catered towards finding birth doulas are a great resource.
6. Friends and family: If you know someone who used a birth doula, ask them about their experience and for a reference! 

Finding a birth doula isn’t just about looking for an agency or person to be in the room with you. It’s about finding someone who has the same values as you and who can be supportive while remaining professional. It’s important to find someone who will educate without judgment and support without pushing their agenda. Interviewing multiple candidates and asking questions to put you and your partner at ease is key to having a successful experience. 

Questions to Ask a Birth Doula

Here are some birth doula interview questions:

• How many births have you attended?
• How many prenatal and postpartum visits do you offer?
• If you’re unavailable due to an emergency, is there someone who will cover for you?
• How will you support my partner during the birth?
• What does advocacy look like to you?
• If you see a doctor or midwife going against our wishes, how will you address that?
• What pain relief techniques do you know for active labor?
• How often will we be able to contact you with questions or concerns?
• What are your thoughts on x,y,z? (anything from breastfeeding, delayed cord cutting, pacifiers, golden hour and more!)
• How do you support c-sections?

Before meeting with a birth doula it can be helpful to have an idea of what the perfect birth looks like to you (though it’s likely to go a little sideways at some point). That can be a home birth, at a birthing center, or in a hospital. It can be delayed cord cutting, waiting to remove the vernix, waterbirth, asking the doctor or midwife to not implement placenta management. Having these things in mind will help vet out birth doulas who might not see eye to eye with your personal beliefs. It is also extremely important to find someone who matches your vibe. If you appreciate someone who makes you laugh, a very serious birth doula won’t put you at ease, just as someone cracking jokes while you need silence is probably not a good fit. Finding someone who can read the room and get your needs can make all the difference. 

If finding a birth doula in Tampa FL sounds like the right choice for you, know that the perfect one is out there and will be a soothing balm during one of the most important moments of your life.