Doula

Crumcakefl

I'm sure this has been posted before, but darn the Bump search function.

Did any of you use a Doula?

If so, would you mind sharing your experience?

I'm already 34 wks, is that too late to find someone? I hadn't considered this AT ALL before.

I don't have family nearby and many of my friends don't have children yet; I was planning to just have my DH in the room - but after our first Birth class he is freaking out about doing the right thing during L&D (I  wasn't worried until he started stressing).

Thanks!

kat.in.the.hat

can't type a lot right now but I used a doula for both of my births (one an induction turned c/s due to distress and the other a scheduled c/s) and she was worth her weight in gold in both situation.  Absolutely invaluable.  Even with my repeat c/s.

A good place to start looking for one is www.dona.org (pretty sure that's the website) and no, 34 weeks isn't too late to start looking

Suzi-G-

Try this group.   We used Kathleen and adored her, we plan to use her again next go round.  I had intended to go natural but the little guy didn't cooperate, his cord was around his neck 4 times and he was unable to drop.  I had a semi-emergency c-section but labored naturally for well over 24 hours before things went downhill.  Kathleen came to our home to meet with us during pregnancy and stayed the night with us while I was in labor at home, she went to the hospital with us and was a superb advocate as well as coach, masseuse and generally comforting presence.  Ultimately we had both Kathleen and her backup doula with us in the hospital (she called for additional support when things started to get ugly) and I could not be more grateful for the two of them. 

SageBeginnings

34 weeks is NOT too late,

There is a great website called www.doulamatch.net . I highly recommend that one, over others, because you can search many doulas from a variety of training and certifications (unlike organization-specific websites like ICEA or DONA). Also, you can compare rates, availability, area that they live in/serve, etc...

 

Good luck and feel free to pm me if you have specific questions that I might be able to help with.

vivivoom

www.doula-training.com

Patti was and is amazing so i'm using her again for baby #2

jmo2187

Nestie crossing over (waves)

 

Suzi- the link you posted didn't work. Do you mind sharing the site?

TexasHarmony

vivivoom:

www.doula-training.com

Patti was and is amazing so i'm using her again for baby #2

Even if you don't use Patti as a doula (I didn't have one), you should definitely see her for a post-partum massage.  Holy cow it was flipping amazing!!  

Suzi-G-

jmo2187:

Nestie crossing over (waves)

 

Suzi- the link you posted didn't work. Do you mind sharing the site?

Sorry, I don't know why it did that, the link is www.tlcdoulagroup.com