Doula Questions?

BecauseLove

Anyone used a doula before?
Any good questions I should be asking during a doula interview?
How much did you pay for your doula's services and what was included in that price? 
Any feedback about your experience using a doula? 
Anyone use a doula that had a epidural, or a c-section, or that needed to be induced? What was that experience like? 

Any FTM's planning on using a doula? 

baileylove22

I used a doula when I had my twins. I interviewed her to make sure we were a good fit. I asked a lot of questions about her background and prior experience. She provided numbers to her references as well which gave a lot of insight into the service she was going to provide. We bought a package of a # hours and it ended up being too much help. I wish I could remember how much we spent and how many hours we bought, but I am drawing a blank. I went to her site and it looks like she charges $40 an hour (in the D.C. area) if you are gifting hours to someone, but I think I paid less for a package and having multiples. It was great having the help after coming home from the hospital especially b/c I was on hospital bed rest from 28 weeks til I delivered around 36 weeks. She came maybe 2 or 3 times a week for 2 hours or so to help with laundry, house cleaning, caring for the babies while I napped and pumping. She had a lot of experience with breastfeeding. Please let me know if you have any more questions. I would be glad to help. 

JNR6510

I looked at hiring a doula. FTM here. In our area it was $500-700 for their services and included prenatal appointments and L&D. No at home after care / assistance included in those prices. They also offered BF and prenatal yoga classes for around $50-75 each. (Yoga class was for 3 months with 4 class visits a month.)

DH and I are still debating if we will ultimately hire one or not. We haven't gotten to interview the doulas yet.
 I have only called the two companies that had certified doulas in our area.

Texafornian

I ended up not using a doula but was THIS close! She charged $1100 and that included some prenatal in home yoga classes, coming to the hospital, breastfeeding class, lactation consulting and in home help for two days after I came home...I lived in Los Angeles at the time so it's on the higher end of cost.

i knew I had a strong c-section and/or induction chance so that's what swayed me. I ended up doing the yoga/breastfeeding/infant care/infant CPR classes all separate and got a lactation consultant when I needed. 

Carebella

Anyone used a doula before? Yes

Any good questions I should be asking during a doula interview? In my email to the company I explained my personality type and what I would be looking for. We only had one in case of transfer so we didn't have a specific one lined up. 

How much did you pay for your doula's services and what was included in that price? I think it was around $550, $100 to secure, and the rest due if used. 

Any feedback about your experience using a doula? I wished I'd had one from the minute labor started. Maybe I could of avoided a transfer. 

Anyone use a doula that had a epidural, or a c-section, or that needed to be induced? What was that experience like? I had to transfer since I wasn't progressing and was likely to end up too tired to push. The doula met us at the hospital and was a huge help. Even with the epidural she could still help with some different positions in the hospital bed, comfort and reassurance, and saying we didn't have to agree to the c-section the doctor wanted to push because that's what worked for his schedule. 

Sugargirl1019

How do you go about finding a doula?? 

JNR6510

@Sugargirl1019 If you have a birth center in your area, they usually can give some great recommendations. There are also doulas associations with lists of certified doulas for various regions. 

Sprite2012

I wanted to the first time, but didn't learn about them until much too late in the pregnancy.  By the time I knew I wanted one, all of the doulas I could find in my area were booked up.  I ended up hiring one to pick up the placenta after birth to encapsulate for me.  Then, reality happened and I realized this whole thing isn't up to me.  I ended up in active labor for 52 hours, had a csection, and his placenta was too calcified to encapsulate (he was born at 41 weeks).  

That said, if I were hoping for an unmedicated natural birth again, I would absolutely hire a doula.  And I'd do it now.

BecauseLove

So much awesome info ladies! We ended up hiring a doula. She was $850 which included 2 prental visits, on phone etc support before, delivery support at the labor, and 2 post delivery visits. She has done a ton of deliveries and I think my DH is excited to have the support of someone to ask questions to or for direction of how to help me. 

jessieR358

I have a consultation with a doula next week. The labor package only includes 15 hours of active labor. Does that seem normal? I was induced with my first and hoping that doesn't happen with this one. 

Inanigloo

Yes with my daughter we hired one. We paid $500 and received 1 prenatal visit, on the phone support during early and she met us at our house before leaving to the hospital. My husband is pretty zoned out during labor so my doula did all the support and encouraging for me. And if it wasn't for her I don't think we would have made it to the hospital in time because for some reason I kept waiting for more intense labor. Worth every penny for me. 

I don't remembering any specific questions other than if she had a back up incase she wasn't available. And stressing my previous delivery experience with my son and what I wanted to avoid.