“Is a Doula Right for Me?” Checklist

Choosing whether to hire a doula can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re already navigating pregnancy or the early postpartum period. The “Is a Doula Right for Me?” Checklist is a simple, printable PDF designed to help you explore whether doula support fits your needs, values, and preferences.

This one-page checklist walks you through the most common reasons families choose to work with a birth or postpartum doula. It focuses on emotional support, physical comfort, practical help, and advocacy — without pressure or medical jargon.

Rather than telling you what to do, this checklist helps you reflect on what kind of support would feel most helpful during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period.

This doula decision-making tool is ideal for:

• Expectant parents considering hiring a doula

• Families planning for labor and birth

• Parents preparing for postpartum support

• Partners who want to better understand doula care

• Prenatal classes and client education

• Birth workers and educators

The checklist includes sections covering:

• Emotional and mental health support

• Birth comfort and labor support

• Postpartum and newborn care

• Practical household and routine support

• Communication and advocacy needs

Unlike generic doula descriptions, this checklist focuses on real-life needs — such as feeling heard, wanting reassurance, preparing for recovery, and adjusting to life with a newborn.

If you’re wondering:

• Do I need a doula?

• What does a doula actually do?

• Would a doula help me?

This checklist gives you a clear, low-pressure way to explore those questions.