02/06/2026
This can be a hard subject and a touchy subject for sure. But here is a behind the scenes look at how it should roll in general for you, your hired doula, and your backup doula.
Big thing to note. You HAVE to communicate to your doula when you need in person support. They are not a mind reader and they are not God. Some women want support in early labor and others want support just for pushing at the delivery location. Both are perfectly normal! But if you never say that you are not coping well or that you are ready for in person support they will likely continue to send virtual support until they hear you are ready for support or they hear an update saying you are close to pushing (in which case they will offer to join you but will not push themselves into your space uninvited and unwelcome).
Another thing to note. If your doula has connected you with a backup doula it is because something is going on and she’s not available for support in that moment. For example having two clients in labor at the same time, medical emergency, being ill herself. (Last week I had two in labor at the same time and had been supporting one for over 24 hours by the time the second mom started to text. So I utilized a backup doula for the second mom to start texting me.) If you have been connected with a backup doula generally you’re hired doula is not available even for virtual support and while may be monitoring texts as she can will likely not be able to see texts in real time. She will not able to be the one to tell the backup to physically go to you. That is for you to communicate just as you would communicate to your hired doula when you were ready for physical support.
Also to note. Going to the hospital does not automatically equal in person doula support. If you want that to happen just communicate that to your doula.
Hope this helps!! Drop and questions below and let’s chat!
