Doula Question

ramee151

How many of y'all used a doula? If you considered it, what factors helped you make your decision, regardless if you ultimately did or didn't?

Part of what is making me consider using a doula is I have already been told it is extremely unlikely my doctor (OB) will be at my delivery due to the call schedule at their office. They take a week on-call and don't do office appointments that week; with 9 docs in the practice, each doc only has call-week for one week 2 months. So its really really really not likely I'll end up with mine. I know the doc isn't there for very long, but I feel like having someone who I'm familiar with and has supported and observed births would be comforting. I'm especially drawn to their training in comfort measures and lactation support. 

DH & I are planning to meet with a prospective doula in about 2 weeks--and we have a lot of questions for her. I know some of that will help but wanted your perspectives. 

KarlsSweetie05

We used a doula even though we knew were most likely having a c-section.  I had to get special permission from my dr. to have doula in the OR with me.  We don't have any family to support us so I knew that both DH and I needed someone on "out team" in the OR and in recovery. 

It worked out good that DH was able to go to NICU with the babies and the doula stayed with me in the OR / recovery.

Then doula supported us later at home with a few home visits once the babies came home from the NICU.  She also was a big help in BF issues too. 

 It was money well spent!

caden

I had a doula and loved it (her). I got one b/c I was on bedrest and couldn't go to any childbirth classes. We watched some videos, but I didn't feel prepared. I KNEW my DH wasn't prepared. I didn't want him to be the only one to help me w/ everything. I didn't even know what I'd want during labor. He gets anxious easily so I felt a doula would make the whole experience less stressful. That ended up being true. She wrote down the whole birth process, and since I remembered almost nothing except the end I thought that was great. She also took pics so I/DH could just deal w/ the babies. she helped me BF right after the birth. And of course all the labor help - massaging my back, getting me into different positions, etc. etc.

ramee151

Thanks ladies--you are mirroring some of my own thoughts

caden:

I had a doula and loved it (her). I got one b/c I was on bedrest and couldn't go to any childbirth classes. We watched some videos, but I didn't feel prepared. I KNEW my DH wasn't prepared. I didn't want him to be the only one to help me w/ everything. I didn't even know what I'd want during labor. He gets anxious easily so I felt a doula would make the whole experience less stressful. That ended up being true. She wrote down the whole birth process, and since I remembered almost nothing except the end I thought that was great. She also took pics so I/DH could just deal w/ the babies. she helped me BF right after the birth. And of course all the labor help - massaging my back, getting me into different positions, etc. etc.

This is SOOO true for me--I've looked at some "check-off" style birth plans and am just so confused...I've never done this before, I don't know what's going to make me more comfortable! 

august8080

We have hired a doula for this birth. I had a wonderful, successful, med-free (what I wanted) hospital birth with #1.

The added factors of what goes into a twin delivery is what prompted us to hire a doula. Once Baby A is out, DH will be daddy and labor support person and we felt like that would be too much. This way, he can be skin-to-skin with Baby A while the doula is totally focused on me for the delivery of Baby B......or some other scenario might play out, as well. Either way, in having a doula, we both know there's support for me, for him and for both babies. 

I think in the scenario you described, you could really benefit from a doula. I've never heard someone say they had one and thought it was a waste of money.