Upcoming Meet the Doula Nights
Click on your area to see upcoming Meet the Doula Nights
East Bay | Peninsula
Read below to determine which event you should attend.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Which meet the Doula Night should you attend?
A: If you are delivering at a Hospital located on the Peninsula such as Mills-Peninsula, Sequoia, Kaiser Redwood City, Stanford or El Camino; you will want to attend the Meet the Doula Night in San Mateo with our “Peninsula” Group.
If you are delivering on the East Bay at hospitals like Hayward Kaiser, Oakland Kaiser, Washington Hospital in Fremont, St. Rose in Hayward, Eden Hospital in Castro Valley, Alta Bates in Berkeley; you will want to attend the Meet the Doula Night on the East Bay with our “East Bay” group.
If you are delivering at a hospital in San Francisco or one not listed above please contact us at info@dolphindoula.com and we will let you know which doula night to attend.
Q: Do I need to RSVP for MTD (Meet the Doula) night ?
A: It is not necessary to RSVP, but it is helpful. If you know that you are coming for sure then go ahead and drop us a note at info@dolphindoula.com. This helps us prepare the right amount of handouts and snacks.
Q: Why should I come to the MTD night? Can I just have a phone conversation or a private consultation with the doulas?
A: MTD night gives you and your partner an opportunity to meet all of our doulas. While a phone conversation and personal consultation are useful, MTD night allows you and your partner to hear questions from others; questions you may not have considered. In addition, every now and then some of our past clients drop by to talk about their experiences with our doulas and their births – these opportunities offer a great insight into the process of working with a Doula
Q: At what stage of my pregnancy should I consider hiring a doula/attending MTD night?
A: It is a good idea to start interviewing doulas at about 4 months pregnant. This gives you the opportunity to find a doula who fits with your personality and you feel comfortable with. Don’t worry if you are further along in your pregnancy, Dolphin Doula usually accepts new clients right up to their due date unless the month is exceptionally busy.
Q: Should I bring my partner with me?
A: Absolutely! We totally encourage you and your partner to attend MTD.
For a more in depth answer to this question, please read “How the Doula and the Partner Work Together”
Q: My doctor highly recommended that I work with the doulas at Dolphin Doula. Can I just sign up now and not go to MTD?
A: Yes, of course. Follow these easy steps to “reserve your date”
- Download and complete our doula contract
- Return completed contract to Dolphin Doula with your deposit (either check or online payment)
- Pay deposit online via our secure checkout system (optional)
We have worked very hard to develop excellent working relationships with most of the local doctors, nurses, midwives and hospitals on the Peninsula, East Bay, San Francisco, and South Bay, and because of that, many birth professionals enthusiastically refer us to their clients. We would still love to meet you and make sure you feel comfortable with us.
Q: Can I bring my kids to MTD?
A: Kids are welcome to come to MTD night however, there isn’t childcare so be aware that if you bring kids you might need to bring a few other fun things for them to do.
Q: What should I look for/ask when hiring/interviewing a doula?
A: The following questions will help you decide if a particular doula is right for you. (excerpts from D.O.N.A)
For any doula
- What training have you had?
- Do you have one or more backup doulas for times when you are not available? May we meet her/them?
- What is your fee, what does it include and what are your refund policies?
When interviewing a birth doula
- Tell me about your experience as a birth doula.
- What is your philosophy about birth and supporting women and their partners through labor?
- May we meet to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play in supporting me through birth?
- May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth?
- When do you try to join women in labor? Do you come to our home or meet us at the place of birth?
- Do you meet with us after the birth to review the labor and answer questions?
When interviewing a postpartum doula
- Tell me about your experience as a postpartum doula.
- What is your philosophy about parenting and supporting women and their families during postpartum?
- May we meet to discuss our postpartum needs and the role you will play in supporting us in the postpartum period?
- May we call you with postpartum questions or concerns before the birth?
- When do your services begin after birth?
- What is your experience in breastfeeding support?
- Have you had a criminal background check, a recent TB test and current CPR certification?
