Doula with multiples?

vegetablegardens

When we thought we were having just one, I really liked the idea of having a doula to provide support during and after pregnancy and to be present during labor and delivery. One of the big benefits I'd heard people talk about was that a doula can be a great advocate for you during labor and delivery to make sure your "birth plan" was met as closely as possible. But maybe this is a moot point with twins, as there is so much outside of our control? I don't know.

Anyone planning on using one or used one before? I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this!

pillowass

This time around, I skipped the birth plan and the doula because (as you said) there is so much that is not in your control anyway. I had a conversation about my preferences with the OB when I got to the hospital (delayed cord clamping, skin to skin, etc), but ultimately I felt better not trying to engineer or control the experience. It was SO much better than my first birth, where I had a doula and a birth plan and a bunch of expectations.

That said, my friends all pitched in to get me some time with a postpartum doula who specialized in multiples. THAT was amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone having twins, especially if you are a FTM. Good luck!

LegallyBlonde217

The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 

raraavis28

LegallyBlonde217 said:

The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 

Exactly this.

Brummy14

LegallyBlonde217 said:

The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 

Yup, had I carried to "term," and had a vaginal delivery, they delivered #1 in the normal delivery room, and then I would have been whisked to the OR for #2, regardless of how she decided to enter the world.

jessican08

marchesa28 said:

LegallyBlonde217 said:

The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 

Exactly this.

See above - lol. I had a vaginal delivery and had to deliver in the OR and was only allowed to bring one person.

caden

I had a doula and delivered in a regular L&D room. (My OB would have also let my doula into the OR. It's not a given that you only get one person in there.) I didn't have a birth plan though. I wanted a doula b/c I knew my DH would be petrified. I wanted an experienced person with me to help me. I guess I would say I did not NEED a doula b/c my crunchy, all-natural OB still wanted me to get an epi, so I did, and at that point there wasn't much for my doula to do. But before that it was really awesome to have her there, helping me labor, keeping me relaxed. Beyond that she wrote down all the "events" during my L&D, took pics and helped me BF after they were born. I loved her so much I hired her as a night nurse before my kids STTN.