The ideal time to hire a doula is at the beginning of your third trimester, or 6 months along.  Once you're ready to take a closer look at a doula-candidate, usually a brief phone interview is a good next step.  The phone interview will give you a gernal idea about the doula's personality and if you would like to pursue hiring her.  A face-to-face interview is usually the best way to truly decide if this person is the right doula for you.   When hiring your doula, here are some good questions to start with:   1.  What training have you had? 2.  What experiences have you had that you draw from? 3.  Do you have references from previous clients? 4.  What is your philosophy about childbirth and supporting women and their partners through labor? 5.  At what point in the labor would you like to be notified, and how soon will you join the laboring woman? 6.  May we meet with you to discuss our birth plans and the role you will play during the birth? 7.  May we call you with questions or concerns before and after the birth? 8.  What is your fee and what does it include?  Do you have a refund policy?

From there, you and your doula can decide how to best proceed.  You will discuss things like your birth plan in great detail.  If you don't have one, your doula can help you create one based on your ideal childbirth scenario.  It will entail things such as the doula's level of involvement, other people that will be involved, or not involved in the labor and delivery, how you would like to manage pain, if and when you would like, or will accept medical interventions or pain medication, etc.  If you have a partner, these are also things your partner should be comfortable with.  Ideally, your partner should also meet and help interview your doula.  However, if that is not possible, it's extremely helpful for you and your partner to be on the same page regarding your desired birth experience before you go into labor.