Hypnobabies vs. Doulas

mdarmetko

A little intro: I'm mostly a lurker on this board thus far (more active on the Aug 14 board), but I'm learning a lot from you ladies.  We are about 12 weeks pregnant right now with our 3rd pregnancy (first child) and THRILLED to have made it this far. 

I intend to sign up for a Hypnobabies course and inquired about cost.  It will be about $375, but from what I've read completely worth it.  I think for us, the class would be more useful than the home study course.  I don't think I could motivate my husband to do it on our own time.  I am now seeing an OBGYN on the recommendation of my midwife (who just left her practice and can no longer be my provider).  With this, I intended to get a doula as well, even though my OBGYN is totally on board with supporting my natural child birth.  I think a doula will run me around $700 at least.

My Question: If you and your partner study with Hypnobabies, is a doula really necessary?  If you had to choose one, which would it be?  Or, if both are completely worth the cost, I'd like to know that as well.

Thanks!

Brit83

A doula does more than just provide pain coping ideas.  They provide ideas and resources when you need them (before, during and after the birth), assist your partner, tidy up your home if you're having a home birth, get food and drinks for you and your partner, they can take pictures if you have a camera available and they understand and know how to work with women in labor (how to not be intrusive, how to be quiet, how to read the signs you're giving so they can offer a different position/focal point/type of massage, etc).

Beyond that, they advocate for you and help advise you if there are complications so you don't feel pressured into making a choice that you wouldn't otherwise be ok with.  They don't make choices FOR you, just help you stay informed so you and your partner can rationally decide what is best for you and baby.

If you're hoping to have a natural birth, I don't think you can ever prepare too much and a doula is a huge asset to making the birth you want a reality.

oliversmommy32912

Honestly, Hypnobabies did not help me in labor. At all. I had a fast labor and I needed complete silence to focus. It was wonderful during the pregnancy, though, and I have already started it again this pregnancy. I definitely will not plan on it being my only coping tool again though.

My doula didn't arrive until five minutes before my son was born. She got there as quickly as she could. She was wonderful support after my son was born but I will probably not hire a doula again because we are expecting that I will probably go quickly again.

If I didn't have fast labors I would choose doula, hands down. My husband is incredibly supportive but when it came down to it he was terrified in the moment and had no idea how to help me. Things got so intense so quickly and my labor was not typical. Thankfully his sister was with us because she kind of took charge and guided him on how to help me. She was pretty much my stand in doula.

CDMay2006

I haven't read the other replies yet but want to make sure you know you can hire a student doula and insurance may cover the class.