Birthing in the New Year: Why Now is the Time to Hire a Doula
The new year is a season of fresh beginnings, and for many families, it also means preparing to welcome a new baby. Whether you’re in the early weeks of your pregnancy or already entering the second trimester, this is the perfect time to begin planning your birth support. Hiring a doula early in your pregnancy allows you to build a trusted relationship, benefit from consistent guidance, and access additional services that help you feel confident and prepared. In Butte County and surrounding areas, doulas are becoming an increasingly valuable part of family-centered care, especially with Medi-Cal coverage making services more accessible to Medi-Cal and Partnership Health Plan beneficiaries.
When is the Ideal Time to Hire a Doula?
Although you can hire a doula at any stage of pregnancy—even late in the third trimester—the best time is generally the end of the first trimester through the second trimester (around 12–24 weeks). Here’s why:
Securing Availability: Doulas often book out months in advance. By hiring early, you increase the chance of securing your top choice.
Prenatal Guidance: Hiring in the second trimester gives you access to consistent prenatal visits, where your doula helps with birth planning, comfort strategies, and emotional support.
Relationship Building: Trust is essential. Having time to get to know your doula ensures you feel comfortable and understood during birth.
Resource Access: The earlier you hire, the more time you have to benefit from workshops, childbirth classes, and community resources offered by your doula.
Questions to Ask During a Doula Consultation
A doula consultation is a chance to learn if a doula is the right fit for your family. Consider asking:
Insurance & Accessibility
Do you accept my insurance or Medi-Cal?
What does coverage include, and are there any out-of-pocket costs?
Birth Support Philosophy
How do you support different types of birth? (Hospital, home, C-section, VBAC, medicated or unmedicated)
What role do you see partners and family members playing in the birth experience?
How do you handle unexpected changes, such as induction or surgical birth?
Availability & Backup Support
What happens if you’re unavailable when I go into labor?
Do you work with backup doulas, and how would they be introduced to my family?
Experience & Services
What is your background and training as a doula?
Do you offer additional services beyond birth and postpartum support?
How do you tailor support for families with unique needs (first-time parents, VBAC clients, high-risk pregnancies, etc.)?
Extra Services at The Village Doula Collective (TVDC)
At TVDC, we go beyond the basics to ensure our clients feel fully supported:
Babywearing Education – Learn safe, comfortable, and developmentally appropriate ways to carry your baby.
Discounted Childbirth Education Course – Our doula clients receive reduced rates for in-depth classes designed to prepare you for labor, delivery, and early parenting.
Newborn Care Workshops – Hands-on sessions covering feeding, soothing, swaddling, and sleep basics.
Lactation Support – Guidance for nursing, pumping, and bottle-feeding.
Postpartum Planning Resources – Checklists, recovery tips, and strategies for easing the transition into parenthood.
Why Book a Doula Consultation Now?
With the new year underway, scheduling a consultation now ensures that:
You start the year with a plan in place. Early preparation reduces stress as your due date approaches.
You maximize your prenatal support. The sooner you hire, the more time you have for check-ins, planning, and personalized care.
You can access special services. From workshops to classes, many doulas (including TVDC) offer bonus resources that enhance your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
Hiring a doula is about more than having support during labor—it’s about creating a holistic plan for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum period. By starting the process now, you’ll secure the right support system, gain access to extra services, and feel confident moving into the year ahead.
If you’re expecting in 2025 in Butte County or surrounding areas, now is the time to schedule your consultation. Doulas provide emotional reassurance, physical comfort, and informational guidance that empower families through one of life’s biggest transitions.
Ready to book your consultation? Contact The Village Doula Collective today to reserve your spot and explore the full range of services available to you.