Free Guide: Is a Doula Right for Me?
A One-Page Checklist to Help You Decide
Deciding whether to hire a doula can feel confusing, especially if you’re not sure what doulas actually do or whether their support would be helpful for your family. You might be wondering if a doula is only for certain types of births, or if hiring one means you’re “not strong enough” to do this on your own.
The truth is: there is no one right way to give birth or prepare for postpartum — and there is no one type of person who hires a doula.
This free “Is a Doula Right for Me?” handout is designed to help you explore that question in a clear, grounded, and pressure-free way. It gives you space to reflect on your needs, your values, and the kind of support that would feel most helpful during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.
Rather than telling you what you should do, this one-page checklist helps you decide what feels right for you.
Why This Question Matters
Many families assume that doulas are only for people who want an unmedicated birth, are afraid of hospitals, are first-time parents or have complicated pregnancies. Studies have shown that patients who received doula care are more likely to have successful VBACs than those that do not have access to a doula. Additionally, it’s been shown that families who receive doula care have fewer preterm births, and better breastfeeding success.
There are a myriad of reasons to hire a doula. Realistically everyone deserves support, and for me that is the fundamental reason anyone should hire a doula. Below I’ve shared some reasons folks have hired me as a doula:
• they want emotional reassurance
• they don’t have nearby family support
• they had a hard first birth
• they are planning a cesarean
• they are anxious about postpartum
• they want help with feeding
• they are navigating trauma
• they want someone focused only on them
• they want continuity of care
• they want support for partners
This handout helps you look at your own situation honestly — without judgment or pressure.
Download the Free Handout
When you download this guide, you’ll receive:
“Is a Doula Right for Me?” one-page checklist (PDF)
Printable and phone-friendly format
Bonus postpartum planning tips
Who This Handout Is For
This guide is especially helpful if you:
• are pregnant and unsure about hiring a doula
• are curious but hesitant
• feel overwhelmed by too much information
• don’t know the difference between doula types
• want support but don’t know what kind
• had a previous difficult birth
• are planning a cesarean
• are worried about postpartum
• don’t have much family support
• want help navigating feeding
• want emotional reassurance
• are a partner wondering how to support better
You do not need to have a specific birth plan, diagnosis, or fear in order for this guide to be useful.
How This Guide Supports Decision-Making
Rather than giving you a “yes” or “no” answer, this handout helps you explore:
• how much support you want
• how comfortable you are advocating for yourself
• how you handle stress
• how your partner feels
• how you imagine postpartum
• what worries you most
• what kind of help feels safe
• what kind of help feels intrusive
• how much structure you want
• what your previous experiences were like
These reflections can help you:
✔ clarify your priorities
✔ prepare for consultations
✔ feel more confident in your choice
✔ explain your decision to others
✔ avoid regret later
What Happens After You Download
After downloading this handout, you may want to:
• talk it through with your partner
• use it to prepare interview questions
• explore different types of doulas
• learn about postpartum support
• clarify what kind of help feels right
• schedule a consultation
• decide to wait
• decide you’re ready
There is no rush and no obligation.
This guide is meant to be a gentle starting point — not a contract or commitment.
Why This Resource Is Different
Many online articles about doulas are written to sell services. This handout was created by a Connecticut postpartum doula who works with families across many types of births and family structures.
It is:
• non-judgmental
• non-fear-based
• not tied to a specific birth method
• focused on emotional and practical needs
• supportive of many choices
• honest about limits
• grounded in real family experience
It respects that:
✔ not everyone wants a doula
✔ not everyone can afford a doula
✔ not everyone needs the same support
✔ not every pregnancy feels the same
✔ not every postpartum is predictable
What Is a Doula?
A doula is a trained, non-medical professional who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to families before, during, and after birth. Doulas do not replace doctors, midwives, or nurses. Instead, they focus on comfort, education, advocacy, and continuity of care.
There are different types of doulas, including:
Birth doulas – who support families during labor and birth
Postpartum doulas – who support families after birth with recovery, newborn care, and emotional adjustment
Overnight doulas or night doulas – who provide nighttime support
Sibling doulas – who care for older children during labor
Bereavement or loss doulas – who support families through pregnancy loss
This handout focuses on helping you decide whether any type of doula support might be helpful for you.
What’s Inside the “Is a Doula Right for Me?” Handout
This one-page printable checklist walks you through:
✔ what doulas do and don’t do
✔ signs you might benefit from doula support
✔ questions to ask yourself
✔ common myths about doulas
✔ emotional and practical considerations
✔ partner support considerations
✔ financial and timing factors
✔ next steps if you decide yes
✔ reassurance if you decide no
It’s designed to be:
• quick to read
• easy to reflect on
• printable or phone-friendly
• neutral and non-pushy
• useful for both birth and postpartum planning
Common Myths This Handout Helps Clarify
Myth: Doulas are only for natural birth.
Reality: Doulas support medicated births, cesareans, and inductions too.
Myth: Hiring a doula means I don’t trust my doctor.
Reality: Doulas work alongside medical providers and help you communicate more clearly.
Myth: Doulas replace partners.
Reality: Doulas support partners so they can support you better.
Myth: Only wealthy families hire doulas.
Reality: Many doulas offer sliding scale options and different service levels.
Myth: I should already know if I want a doula.
Reality: It’s normal to need time and information to decide.