The Power of Milk - DONA International

essay — tricks of the tradeThe Doula Interview:Important Components of the First MeetingBy Jennifer Johnson, CD(DONA)The interview is the initialcontact a doula has witha potential client, and herdemeanor and level ofprofessionalism are crucial to the successof this first interaction. Though the clientand the doula are both deciding whetheror not to work together, the potentialclient is looking to the doula’s behaviorand responses to determine whether shewants the doula to support her duringher birth or postpartum period, a veryimportant time in her life.Elements of the interview includewhere to meet, what to bring, answeringquestions and signing the contract. Beingprepared for the interview questions canmake the difference between a tenseexperience and an enjoyable appointment.Where to meetAfter initial phone or e-mail contact,an in-person meeting is advised so thatthe doula and the potential client candetermine whether they are compatible.The location of the meeting is generallyflexible and each has advantages anddrawbacks.Some doulas have an office or othercomfortable place to hold a discussion,while others may welcome the client intotheir home. The benefit of meeting in thedoula’s office or home is that she will nothave to spend time and fuel traveling andthe potential client can get to know herand her style a little better. On the otherhand the client may be dismayed that shehas to travel to interview the doula; or shemay feel more comfortable meeting in herown home, office or a neutral location.Both the client and the doula mayfind meeting at the client’s homeadvantageous. The doula gains insightinto the potential client’s lifestyleand personality (since she is likely tobehave more naturally in her ownhome) and the client may appreciatethe investment of time and thedoula’s effort to accommodate her.This option is especially beneficialto the postpartum doula whowill be serving the client in herhome. The main disadvantage tohaving the initial interview in the client’shome is to the client. The doula, whomshe may not ultimately choose to hire, isessentially a stranger so the client may feeluncomfortable disclosing her address andwelcoming her into her home.Meeting at a neutral location, such asa coffee shop, may seem safer and morecomfortable to all parties involved andcan work out well if the doula and clientlive a distance from each other. The maindisadvantages of a public meeting placeare a lack of privacy, potential discomfortin the surroundings and an inability tocontrol distractions.There may be many more reasonsto meet or not meet with clients inthese suggested locations. It is alwaysbest for the doula to carefully examineeach situation with respect to her andher client’s comfort levels and needs todetermine the most appropriate andsatisfactory location for an initial interview.What to bringMany doulas create a folder of informationto give the woman. Information aboutpregnancy and postpartum issues, copiesof the letter of agreement and contract,a business card and brochures arecomponents of a standard folder. DONAInternational has many publicationssuitable for distribution to potential newclients, including the Position Papers andWhat is a Doula? and Dads and Doulasbrochures. When aware of her situationahead of time (i.e., first-time mother,VBAC, multiples, etc.) a personalizedA doula’s birth philosophiesshould reflect both her passionnd her professionalism24 International Doula Volume 17, Issue 3