Is It Too Late To Hire a Doula?
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Kaely Harrod 0:01
Hello and welcome back. Today's question is, is it too late to hire a doula? This is Kaely Daily, the bi weekly podcast about all things doula Tips and Tits, where we answer one question about pregnancy, labor, postpartum, or lactation, in order to have your journey in this parenting world be just a little bit more informed and filled with consent. Hello, welcome back to Kaely Daily. I'm Kaely Harrod, the host of this lovely podcast. And today's question is another doula question. So it's pretty short and sweet. Is it too late to hire a doula? Now, obviously, it depends a little bit on where you are and what kind of doula you're wanting to hire. And so, like, always, add some caveats to this.
Kaely Harrod 0:57
In general, if you are still pregnant, it's not too late to hire a birth doula. If you are postpartum and you're within the first two years, I'd say, postpartum it's not too late to hire a postpartum doula. However, the longer you wait, the less options you have in terms of a doula. And also, that depends a little bit on the accessibility of doulas in your area. Okay. So let's say you live in a fairly remote area, and you have maybe like a handful of doulas or even just like to write, then there's less of a chance of being able to hire a doula last minute, because they tend to fill up faster.
Kaely Harrod 1:39
Okay. If you're in an area like I am, like DC, there are, I would say 1000s was like, probably truly. And that means you have less of an option. Like if someone calls me today and say, I'm due right now, Can you be my doula? I'd have to say no, because I have people due until January, like I'm full until January at this point, right? And so, um, so I'd have to say no to that person. However, there are other people that have availability right now in the DC area, for sure. Now, how much care you want and who you want that care from, is going to be have to be a little bit more flexible if you're hiring someone really last minute, okay.
Kaely Harrod 2:29
So think about if you're like, oh, my gosh, I'm 39 weeks pregnant. And I'm just now like, starting to learn about doulas. And I'm like, oh, man, I really need a doula. You still have some options, right? Some of us provide virtual care. So care that's like a consultation or like a birth planning chat or something like that. Some of us provide things like a comfort measure session. So you might not have a doula like in person with you. Or maybe you don't want that. But you could do kind of some of the like comfort measure portion of what a doula does with a doula beforehand. Also, there are some people who are able to do like virtual, like video chat, kind of doula support, and they have more accessibility, usually for how many people they can take because they're not physically having to be at that location. So those are all the different ways that you could get a last minute doula.
Kaely Harrod 3:24
One resource that I find very helpful is doulamatch.com. And I don't have any kind of sponsorship from them, although maybe I should, because they allow a doula to update their availability. And so you can look with your actual due date and your zip code, who is available for my due date in my area. So that also gives you a good frame of reference for like, what your options are, right? For postpartum care. I would say it sometimes there's a little bit of a delay, like if someone calls and says, Okay, I need a doula tonight, right? You're gonna be more likely to get that kind of care if you're calling an agency or a doula company where they have multiple providers, right? If you're calling a single doula like myself, like a, you know, kind of work alone, sort of doula, then I probably don't have availability tonight, but I might be able to connect you with someone.
Kaely Harrod 4:23
So there's a chance that you could get a referral somebody or a connection to someone else, but that particular doula might not be available. Okay. So the short and sweet answer to this is probably it's not too late to hire a doula. You might have to be more flexible in what you're looking for, and less choosy about who that person is. And also, it doesn't hurt to reach out because one of the ways that you find out if anyone is available is by reaching out so start there, give yourself a little bit of support in the process and And then kind of from there, see what's what's possible for you.
Kaely Harrod 5:04
Okay? I do value very much supported and well educated birth times. So if you're 38, 39, 40 weeks, and you're like, oh my gosh, I can't have a doula, but I really like, I really need some education, I really want a birth plan or something like that, please do reach out to me because I am happy to either help connect you with someone in your area or in my area, or to help provide some guidance on writing a birth plan or talking through your preferences, etc, and giving you an idea of what that language and things like that can look like. So the easiest way to contact me is my email, which is actually below and then also on Instagram via like, a private message. That is also a good way to contact me.
Kaely Harrod 5:57
And you're welcome to send me a question about this episode or a question about doula services, or a question that you would like me to cover in this doula mini series. As a reminder, our next series is postpartum stuff. And so if you have a postpartum question, please start sending it my way. So I can add it into that series before we get everything recorded. So all right. In the meantime, until I talk to you again, I wish you well informed consent filled birthing and postpartum experiences. These episodes are edited and produced by Kaely Harrod as I'm sure you can probably tell, and our amazing music is credited in the shownotes as well. So we look forward to seeing you on the next episode, and in the meantime, have a wonderful and consent filled
Unknown Speaker 6:52
birth.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai
If you’re on the search for a doula and feeling a bit late to the game it may give you hope to know that it’s rarely truly too late to hire a doula. If you’re still pregnant you can hire a birth doula (again, in most cases!) and if you’re within a few years postpartum you can hire a postpartum journey.
You may have a shorter list of available doulas, so be sure to reach out as soon as possible so you can get on with hiring.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Check DoulaMatch.com for doulas in your zip code that have availability for your due date
Reach out to doulas and ask for referrals if that doula is not available
You may have to hone in on the things that are most important to you rather than try to find a doula that fits all your desire
RESOURCES
FREE OXYTOCIN GUIDE:
6 Ways to Increase Oxytocin for Labor Progression
https://www.harroddoulaservices.com/free-guide-6-oxytocin-tips
CONNECT with Kaely on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/Harroddoula/
This podcast is hosted by the Birth Prep Blueprint - comprehensive Childbirth Education for expectant parents to feel calm, prepared and confident about labor and birth. Podcast listeners (that’s YOU!) get 10% off! Use the link below and coupon code PODCAST
https://www.harroddoulaservices.com/birth-prep-blueprint
** The Birth Prep Blueprint is offered for only $20 to anyone who qualifies for any kind of social services (meaning that a family has a lower income to the point that they would qualify for WIC or SNAP or Medicaid, etc.). No need to disclose your income, just which service you qualify for and the link can be sent right over. Just email kaely@harroddoulaservices.com to learn more.
If you like this episode, don't forget to share it to your Instagram stories and tag me @harroddoula
Kaely Daily is produced by Kaely Harrod of Harrod Doula Services
It is sponsored by The Birth Prep Blueprint Childbirth Class
Music by Madirfan: Hidden Place on Pixabay
