Thoughts on Doulas?

SteviePLB

Hi all! I wanted to hear if anyone has had experience working with a doula, or I guess just thoughts on the topic. I'm planning to give birth at a local hospital's birthing center with a midwife, but I know they are very open to bringing in extra support. I'd love to hear about anyone's personal experiences working with a doula, pro or con! I'm considering it because I don't think my husband will be able to stick too close during labor, and I think the extra support would be nice. (Husband is not so good in medical settings. He will faint.)

makchl

I had a doula with my last baby. She was wonderful to work with. It was so nice to have someone to text and talk with frequently during the last few weeks. Even though I ended up with a really quick birth (only 10 min of pushing) she was a great support. She applied pressure to my hips and sacrum to take the edge of during contractions and really helped guide me with positioning and breathing since I was in a hospital setting with an OB. I'll probably hire her again.

SUNshin322

I'm lurking from May 2015, and I wish I had a doula. Unfortunately my birth was not a good experience, lots of confusion and things occured that I question if they were neccessary, and I ended up with a c section. So it would have been nice to have somebody to explain and vouche for me. Wishing a happy healthy pregnancy and birth to to you

Nicoliz

I had a Doula with my son 2 years ago and it was a great experience. I wasn't able to get on with our local midwives so had to go with an OB. I was determined to have a natural birth and she was very supportive thru that process.  My birth plan changed quickly during labour and it was nice to have that support in addition to my husband.  It was nice also once the baby was born my husband saw to the baby and my doula stayed with me while they got me cleaned up.  I'm not sure i'll have a doula again this time but it was a great experience the first time.

tgortney

I'm also looking into a doula since this is my first time. How much do doulas usually cost?

tweedledah

My area doesn't have any midwives that accept medical insurance, so I have to go with an OB.
The local doula association offers birth options classes the first Monday of each month so I'm going to check it out this week. I think that I will go with a doula just for the extra support

2.red.heads

I have never had a doula so I don't exactly know what it's like. I just don't think I would want 'a stranger' touching me and talking to me during childbirth. I guess I'm the kind of person that wants to put my head down and get through it more independently. Now, I'm not saying I had my other two babies with no help. My husband helped some and the two midwives I had were great.
Now once I go home from the hospital? I would totally love an in-home nurse/doula (we're having twins). lol. Can't afford that though.

soralette

The person who found the doula we had last time the most helpful was actually my husband. It was 30hrs of labour and without the doula there to let him do things like eat, pee, and get a nap in, he'd've been a wreck at the end.

We're definitely going with a doula this time, too -- already hired her, in fact, since she's a close friend who decided to pursue doula training (with an eye on moving on to midwifery in the long-term). I suspect she'll be more help during labour because she knows when (and how!) to tell me to STFU, ha.