Doula ?

Kuleama

So I have a friend from high school - who I haven't seen in 10 years since graduation - who is getting her certification to become a doula. She offered me her services for no charge (we'd just need to fill out paperwork for her practicum). She offers the following services:

*Unlimited phone consults

*On call up to 2weeks before and 2weeks after due date

*Several prenatal visits (as desired)

*Help with a birth plan

*Use of my birth balls

*Access to my lending library of books/cds/dvds/products etc (I have every baby carrier on the market - try before you buy!) 

 

*Constant emotional and physical support during your entire labor (I won't leave your side unless requested and will stay up to a few hours post birth)

*Provide comfort measures (non medical), tricks for progressing labor, and reassurance

*Provide an unbiased opinion and can explain medical terminology, helping you talk to hospital staff and make informed decisions, and offer alternatives.

*Advocate for your birth plan/ wishes

*Can help with early breastfeeding support

 

*Hands on teaching about umbilical cord care/ first baths/ swaddling/ soothing etc.

 

*As a Postpartum Doula I help with: emotional, and physical support in the early postpartum period, early family transitions, breastfeeding support, community resources as needed, newborn care/skills, household chores/cleaning, meal prep etc. Essentially my job is to "mother the mother", and take care of her, so that she can be well rested and take care of her baby.

 

*For night time support, I would come in and help with dinner, stay up/ get up with the baby. Night time support is usually done in 10-12 hr shifts. If breastfeeding, I bring the babies to you when they wake, and you hand them back off to me to get them back down, allowing you to get back to sleep! If bottle feeding, then you just rest and let me do all the work! At this time I would also probably do some meal prep for upcoming days, and tidy up the house (laundry/dishes etc.)

 

Sounds amazing to me... of course we're going to have her be our doula!! I am just wondering if anyone else has used/plan to use a doula and what your experiences have been! TIA!!

ohiostategal

We are considering using a doula for L & D.  Having her for postpartum doula services for free sounds fantastic (though I would want to do my own feedings during the night personally)!  I say go for it.  

The services she is offering for L & D are very similar to what we would get if we decide to go that route.    

schoolsoutbride

I didn't have a doula with #1, but I wish I had.  No matter how informed you are (and I was WAAAAY informed), it's hard to make decisions in the heat of the moment when you're in pain. It's also hard to expect your DH to know enough and make decisions when he's watching you in pain and is emotionally invested.  I think they make a huge difference if you want a natural birth.