What to Expect at Your Birth Doula Consultation

When I suggest a free initial consultation to people who've reached out about doula support, I sometimes sense a tiny bit of nerves. What are we going to talk about? Do I need to prepare anything? Will you ask difficult questions?

Here's the honest answer: no preparation needed. Just come as you are, with whatever questions are sitting in the back of your mind, and let's have a chat.

That said, I know people like to know what they're walking into. So let me tell you exactly what our first conversation looks like.

What the consultation actually is

Our initial call or meeting is free and lasts around thirty minutes. It's a no-pressure, no-obligation conversation — genuinely. Its purpose is simple: to give you a sense of who I am and how I work, and to give me a sense of what you need. That's it.

There's no sales pitch. I'm not going to tell you why you must have a doula or make you feel anxious about going it alone. That's not who I am. What I want is for us both to come away from the conversation feeling like we know whether working together makes sense.

Choosing the right doula is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your pregnancy. With the right person alongside you, you'll feel genuinely held, supported, and heard — and that changes everything about how you experience your birth.

What we'll cover

Usually we'll start with wherever you are right now. How far along are you? Is this your first pregnancy? Do you have a rough idea of where and how you'd like to give birth, or are you still figuring that out?

We'll talk about your hopes and your worries. What's pulling you towards doula support? Have you had a previous birth that's left you with feelings you're still sitting with? Is your partner uncertain about what their role could be? Are you simply someone who likes to feel well-prepared and knows that information helps you feel calm?

I'll tell you about my background — how I trained, what my philosophy is around birth support, and what working with me looks like in practice. I'll explain the different packages I offer, answer any questions you have, and give you a clear sense of what the investment looks like.

We'll also talk about your birth preferences in broad terms — not in detail, because that's something we build together across your prenatal appointments — but enough for me to understand what matters most to you.

What I'm not doing

I'm not assessing you. There's no right or wrong answer to anything we discuss. I'm not looking for a particular type of client, and there's no way to "fail" a doula consultation.

I'm also not going to make you feel like you have to decide on the spot. Most people want to go away, talk to their partner, and think it over. That's completely fine. Take all the time you need.

Where we meet

I'm based in Worthing and support families across West Sussex, Brighton, and Hove. Our initial consultation can take place over video call if that's easier — especially if you're juggling work or little ones already. If you'd prefer to meet in person, we can arrange that too.

What you might want to think about beforehand

You really don't need to prepare anything. But if it helps you feel more settled, a few things that often come up are: your rough due date and how many weeks along you are; whether you're planning a hospital birth, birth centre, or home birth; any previous birth experiences that felt significant; and any specific concerns about labour, pain relief, or medical intervention.

If none of those feel relevant right now, that's fine. People come to these calls at every stage of certainty.

What happens after

If you decide you'd like to go ahead, we'll talk through packages and get a booking date in the diary. I'll send over a contract and everything you need, and we'll plan our first full prenatal appointment from there.

If you need more time, or if questions come up afterwards, just drop me an email. There's no rush and no awkwardness.

And if — for whatever reason — you feel I'm not quite the right fit for you, I'd rather you find someone who is. The most important thing is that you feel genuinely supported, whoever that's with.

Ready to have a chat?

Our initial consultation is free and there's genuinely nothing to lose. If you've been thinking about doula support, or even if you're just curious, I'd love to hear from you.

Book your free 30-minute consultation here — let's see if we're a good fit..