XP: 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!!

kbk84

We had a doula with DD. She quickly became one of my dearest friends. I absolutely loved having her at our birth and she made the experience so perfect. It was also incredibly valuable to meet with her several times before the birth so we could talk about what to expect, write a birth plan (which we called our birthing hopes) and talk about situations that could arise and what our options might be.

I think if you can have her be at your birth for no cost, that you should do it!  

Cilley

DO IT! With DS#1 I was petrified that my OB was going to make me give birth on my back and I had back pain through most of the last 2 trimesters.  I hired my doula in March and gave birth in June 2010.  She helped me (and DH) get through my birth experience without pain meds and without having a c/s. And I gave birth to my DS on my side. It was a great experience!

Kuleama

Thanks for the advice and insite ladies