Anyone hiring a Doula or creating a birth plan?

MississippiCatfish

MaximumEffort said:

You can't write the course for nature but letting the nurse know the type of woman they are going to assist is helpful.

Great way to say it, because it can still be helpful even when plans are changing!

MaximumEffort

https://gomerblog.com/2017/05/read-birth-plan/

This is a satire article. Making Once Yearly Exception, OB Agrees to Read Birth Plan

ShePersisted

I don't need a doula during labor as I'll be having a planned c-sec however I need a doula/baby nurse right after delivery. I've been told a doula will do both but I'm torn if I would be better off with a baby nurse or doula. Does anyone have any experience with post delivery services from either? I mainly will use the nurse/doula at night to care for the baby to help me sleep better. Last time lack of sleep and not having the right experience gave me borderline post parting depression so I want to be careful this time and ensure I get the right care. For me, I think mothers need a lot more support post delivery than before especially if they plan to breast feed. But I did not labor so my opinion is skewed. 

dragonfly87-2

@ShePersisted I personally do not have experience with since I am a FTM, but I do know a fair amount of doulas that offer planned Cesarean packages that have between 9-12 hours of post-partum care or will do weekly packages that you can have them come for 3 or 5 days a week after birth (for like $250 a week in my area). They actually say for FTMs and ceserean moms it can be very relieving to have someone there to specifically care for them. So much focus at the hospital and by doctors is put on the baby's health, for good reason, but if a mother isn't happy and healthy, then the baby may not do well either. So it may definitely worth the investment.

hippiestinkmom

I'm not doing a doula but we're going to interview midwives once my language courses end next week. She'll be in addition to my regular OB as a secondary advocate and caregiver. Our hospital is blessedly very gung-ho about natural unmedicated childbirth but even so I'm drawing up a birth plan in case my normal OB is unavailable for my delivery. Belgium and the Netherlands typically don't medicate childbirth unless requested and c-sections are legally barred unless baby is in distress or in case of high risk pregnancies so I'm very pleased with the care we will be receiving! 

kschref

I have had the same doula for DD and DS and we have hired her again.  1000% worth it.  Happy to answer any specific questions about the experience if anyone is interested.

pawcall

I was such a snarky B the first time around. My wonderful OB asked if I had a birth plan or any birth preferences and I was like "yeah, arrive at hospital, have baby, bring baby home."

that said, I still don't intend to have a written birth plan but will make the only thing I give half a crap about very verbally clear as I did last time (no bottle feeding the baby without my consent)

pawcall

If you have strong preferences, it makes 1000% sense to document them clearly and concisely. I don't have strong opinions on the topic other than DRUGS, PLEASE! which I have no problem conveying without paper. 

I think it comes more into play with specific feelings on specific topics, like not offering pain meds, wanting specific birth and labor positions, wanting specific ambience (dark or quiet room), not wanting internal checks or continuous monitoring, etc. Those things aren't issues for me personally

zigzag8412

My doc actually asked for a birth plan, so that took me a little off guard.  I'm currently interviewing doulas as my doc is supportive of me having someone there constantly for me but for those who have hired in the past or plan on hiring, what are some good questions to ask?  I know to ask how many births... but outside of that, thoughts? Recommendations?