Chicago doula

JRodri14

How did you decide that you needed a doula?  What did you look for in choosing one?

BeanQueen83

One of my friends is a nursing student and just got certified as a doula. She has had three children and is super knowledgable about everything. When I have a baby I'm going to have her as my doula. She has a Facebook page: The Nurturing Doula.

MamaDaraChicago

I am a big fan of using doulas. Used one for my daughter's birth. Having someone there to calmly manage a situation and see to it that your birth plan is actually respected was key for me. Doctors and nurses sometimes try to push their views on you and as you are sitting there in pain mid-contraction is not the ideal time to start fighting with them. Having a doula there ensures that you don't have to! There is a good seminar put on my Sharp Mamas that goes over the pros/cons of using a doula. Its part of their workshop on Natural Pain Management and Comfort Measures. https://www.sharpmamas.com/event-registration/?regevent_action=register&event_id=191#.Ufb-V43qm1M

Hope this helps!

doodlemonkey22

I thought about getting a doula for like a second with my first pregnancy. Didn't really consider it seriously until after I had a bad experience delivering my first ds. When I got pregnant the second time I knew I wanted someone in my corner that would fight for me and hubby and guide me as well. I switched practices and hospital (to a CNM group). I knew from experience that OBs will promise the world. They give you the "we are prepared for any type of birth you could possibly want" line. But when it gets down to it, they do want they want to do. So even though I was with a MW group I still wanted a doula. Well the $800-$900 prices we were encountering was still a problem. Then I saw a flyer in the MW's office about Chicago Volunteer Doulas. Looked it up right away and signed up the next day. Having a doula was a great experience. I wish I had one the first time around. Since I signed up with CVD I could not interview different doulas and choose one. One was chosen for me. But she was great. I had a very painful back labor and she helped immensely without getting in my face or getting bossy.