this is my first pregnancy and I must say I am really frightened about getting a c-section... My hospital offers a certified doula to help with the whole birthing process and considering they can help reduce the rate of a c-section and use of an epidural I'm extremely interested as of now the cost is a little high.
Has anyone ever had a doula? Any feedback about them? Good or bad?
Re: Are doulas worth it?
DS #1: April 2010
DS #2: July 2015 (preemie born at 31 weeks) - our little miracle conceived through ART - unexplained secondary infertility/adenomyosis
I majorly get in the zone while I labor and I very easily ignore my dh or refuse to listen to him but having the doula was different and for some reason I just followed her lead. I had a really long unmedicated difficult induction with my first and I absolutely couldn't have done it without my doula. As pp said, you can often find doulas who are working toward their certification and need to attend 3 births before being certified. They often provide their services for free. That's how it was with the doula during my first delivery. Also, many doulas are willing to work on a sliding scale and try and find something that will work for your budget. Even still- 100% worth the money. I've never met someone who had one and regretted it or didn't think it was worth the expense (even friends who have ended up with csections or epidurals).
However I WISH I had one with my fifth baby. I really couldn't get on top of the contractions. I feel a trained doula would have had some tricks to ease it. Just knowing a certain position or massage technique might have made a big difference makes me regret not having a doula present.
I wish I had heard of a doula as a FTM. I didn't end up with a cesarean but I was so young and so afraid and voiceless in my first two births. A lot of things happened that I might have otherwise said NO to if I had a knowledgeable ambassador on my side who was working for me, encouraging me and reassuring me.
Yes, do hire one. Women with doulas have a much greater chance of avoiding cesarean. Congrats on baby!
This is probably the #1 reason couples may choose to not hire a doula so I wanted to explain why they're different from the other people in your labor room. You don't just hire a random doula. You most definitely get to know her before the birth just as you would your OB or midwife. They bring their own birth bag with snacks and other things. You are hiring them for a service and don't need to worry about her and how she feels or if she's bored. Her focus is on you and your SO's comfort and she WANTS to do that.
A friend of mine is a CAPPA doula and childbirth educator, LC and is on their board of directors. I have wanted to become a doula but haven't because I have so many littles so take care of during this stage in my life. But I've read a lot of their materials and lectures for doulas.
They are there to be your support system. They know your desires and wishes. Sometimes your partner will forget things you have told them and the doula can explain situations that you might not understand. They can suggest different positions to help ease pain.
If you can afford it I would recommend hiring a doula. Some programs have a free doula service too for lower income families. They are your liaison between you and the hospital staff.
Edit to add that I liked not knowing the nurses and they were sweet. My labor was 8 hours start to finish so I didn't have a nursing change.
Taking a childbirth ed course. Some insurances cover this (actually some cover doulas too)
Reading! I think everyone should read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. The Birth Partner is a great read too. You can go on DONA or any other doula training organization's website and check out their list of recommended reading.
You could even take the doula training--it's usually cheaper than hiring your own. And then you have all the knowledge!
Thanks for the reading suggestions @kehags Even though I feel confident and capable as a first time mom, I will read the book you recommended on child birth and I'll definitely take a class or two, just to make sure I've got the bases covered and prepare for those "what ifs". We got this!!