Doulas?

fernane

Has anyone used one? Are they necessary? It's recommended by my midwife, but will run close to another $1000 so I'm torn. I have no experience with them and don't know if it's truly worth it.

NYGirl02

I have not used one, but wished I had one last time. I'm hoping to persuade DH to let me hire one this time. He was the reason we didnt last time. I wasn't planning a natural birth last time, but would like to this time. I have yet to meet a person that regrets hiring a doula. I'd go for it.

lesleyn21

I personally won't use one because my dh is amazing and my first went smoothly but my best friend is one and I think it's awesome if you decide to!

jjenkinsreid

We just hired a doula so I can't speak from personal experience but I have talked to some of her previous clients who sang her praises & said they wouldn't go through it without her. I'm really excited about it!

suitern

We are just hiring a doula this time! I really could have used one with my son's birth. It is signifantly cheaper than what the cost of your doula will be however. If it was $1000, we probably wouldn't do it.

Everyusernameistaken

Best $800 we ever spent. We've already rehired her for this time. My labour was 46 hours though, so my H REALLY appreciated the support!

eta, if cost is an issue look into novice doulas, it may be cheap or even free.

Irisheyes1247

I looked into it for baby #2 but thinking back on it, I realized I just don't want to be touched or bothered while in labor, so I didn't want to add another person into the mix. You can look into doulas in training or students who may charge less since they need to attend x number of births to be certified. 

Athena0809

I'm in the process of interview doulas. I guess the rates are based on region. A DONA certified here in my state the most is $600-800, you can find them for less. Since even $500 would be too much for me, I am going to hire a trained--not certified--doula. Many are looking for qualifying births so get their certification so their rates range between $100 and $250.

Where in the country are you? I would check directly with DONA to get you connected with one of their trained doulas. You can PM me too and I can see what I can find out for you, I belong to a local crunchy mamas Facebook group and there are lots of doulas in my group I can ask how to find a trained one in your state.

MAH1009

I have had a few women from our local ICAN recommend that I have one for my VBAC. The hospital that I will deliver at doesn't allow midwives to be the attending for a VBAC so I think they are concerned about the support level and pressure of the hospital setting. I know anyone who has used a doula sings their praises. Budget is a huge player for me and makes me think that it likely won't be something I take advantage of. I do think doulas are awesome though and would love to go through the training after my littles are older. If you can afford it, you should definitely do it!

fernane

The one I was initially looking at is about $650..I then found one for $450 after looking around a bit. I'm in the DFW area in Texas. The trainer doulas I have found so far are all several hundred dollars. I haven't found the cheap or free students.

Athena0809

fernane said:

The one I was initially looking at is about $650..I then found one for $450 after looking around a bit. I'm in the DFW area in Texas. The trainer doulas I have found so far are all several hundred dollars. I haven't found the cheap or free students.

Would you like me to ask around and see if I can come up with some leads for you?

Athena0809

mamakate12345 said:

They're not for me.  I thought I would like the extra help during labor.  But when I am in labor, I'd rather be completely alone. The nurses annoy me, etc. People in general just annoy me me when I don't feel well.  I guess I'm like that when I'm sick in general. Some people like someone holding their hair and rubbing their back when they puke.  I like to be alone. 

I recently read a book that talked about how women, as in any other mammal, prefer to give birth in solitude or with limited assistance, but our western medicine protocols have "retrained" women into what we know of the typical hospital birth: lots of lights, lots of people, etc. So I think you are just listening to your true nature! I decided to hire one mainly to ensure the things I expect to happen for my birth get honored and only by having an advocate on my side I'll be able to have those done.

rebennett06

I am seriously considering hiring one, so all this advice is super helpful! I know I'm going to have a hospital birth but I would like to try and go natural, and I think having a doula would significantly increase that chance (DH will give me the epidural as soon as I ask lol)

fernane

Sure! @Athena0809‌

Jayhawkali

Our hospital had volunteer doulas and ours was fantastic she was with us for 12 plus hours overnight not only was she an advocate for me but she also helped trade care of my whiny husband who had a man cold while I was in labor. Even when I had to have a csection she was there for me while I was in recovery while my husband went to the nicu. Unfortunately the hospital only has a few of them so its just first come first served when it comes to availability of a "free" doula. It was one of the key reasons we chose that hospital