Has anyone used a doula or considering it?

smw123

Hello,

 I didn't know where to post this question at but I thought this might be the right board.  Has anyone used a doula? Is it worth it?  I am considering it for baby #2 since I feel like we weren't prepared at all when I went into labor with baby #1.  I went into preterm labor at 29 weeks and spent 5 weeks in the hospital then 2 more weeks on bedrest at home.  I felt like I didn't get to prepare at all.  I didn't even get to pack a hospital bag.  I did get an epidural and I didn't really want to but I was afraid.  I really wanted to be able to walk around and I ended up being in labor for 26 hours and I felt like it wore off before I had my son anyway.  My DH was a good coach during pushing but I think he felt that he didn't have to do much during labor since I got the epidural.  I also gave him a break since he didn't get much sleep the 7 weeks before we had our son.  I'm afraid that I might make him feel bad if I suggest a doula because I want a birthing coach who is trained to help someone through labor.  I would also like to have one since in case my mom or MIL don't arrive in time to be with our DS.  I would like my DH to stay with our son until one of them can arrive and if we have a doula I wouldn't have to be alone.  We don't have family other than my mom or his mom that we can count on to help us out with DS. I think my dh will not even want to consider it when I tell him the price but he might be willing if it seems worth it.   Any thoughts/experience?

Texas77again

hi, this questions gets asked all the time, go back and look thru old posts.  there are two posts about this just on this page. 

GL and get the doula!!

smw123

Thank you.  I started looking though this board after I posted and seen 2 questions.  I should've went through the board first

Texas77again

oh, it's not a problem at all.  i'm just too lazy to type out a response about how wonderful i think doulas are.       seriously, get one!  no, seriously. 

flyer23

Yeah. What Texas77 said.

If you're worried about your DH feeling bad, just meet with a couple of doulas. It's free, so you can tell him that if he really feels bad/uncomfortable after meeting with them, then you don't have to get one, nothing lost aside from a little bit of time. But doulas have a lot of experience working with reluctant DHs, so I bet you'll be able to find one who your DH loves, just as much as you do. Really, my DH is even more of an advocate for doulas than I am, because he knows it takes a lot of pressure off him, not having to be my SOLE source of support through what could be a very long labor.

kbel424

Yes, get one! I had a doula and a MW and my doula was an absolute lifesaver, and probably the only way I made it through a natural birth after 3 days of labor!