Doula and Natural delivery at Howard County General?

rlkrason

Hey ladies,

I'm new to this board (been on another side) and want some tips from local moms.  I am expecting my first in April and have decided that I very much want to have a natural unmedicated birth.  So far, I am happy with my OB and they have rights at Howard County General Hospital.  However, I do want a doula.

 Have any of you been successful with a natural birth here or hired a doula?  I don't even know where to begin looking for a doula.  I am open to a midwife, but my husband prefers the hospital just in case (he's a worrier so I accept that),

Thanks for any help you can give! 

xcjump

I am due in January with my first.   I am using a doula and planning a natural birth.   My doula is Emily Pelton. This is her website:  https://www.baltimorefamilybeginnings.com/

 I also recommend Danielle Koontz.  Here is her website:   https://informedbirthchoices.org/

 They also both do birth classes.   

 I was originally supposed to delivery at Howard County General, but I didn't like my OB practice and switched to a midwife practice and am now planning on delivering at a birth center.  I also really wanted a water birth which Howard County doesn't offer.    If you decide you want a midwife practice, I highly recommend them.   Here is the website:  https://www.specialbeginnings.com/  They will go with you to Anne Arundel Medical Center if you prefer to deliver at a hospital.  

 I also highly recommend this yoga class:  https://yogaformomsmd.wordpress.com/about/ 

It has been a great resource for me and a great source of information.  There is an hour of yoga an hour of community time.   It was where I first learned about doulas.   Let me know if you have any questions!  

anonsouthernbell

My husband was the same way as yours, but has since been "converted."  He really wanted me to deliver ds in a hospital, but I was able to get him to watch some snippets of The Bus. of Being Born.  I then was able to get him to watch all of Pregnant in America.  Those films plus our tour of Special Beginngs helped but his mind at ease.  (He was then staunchly opposed to delivering in a hospital.). And we have since had a homebirth . With all that being said it is possible to have a natural birth in a hospital.  A doula IMO is a must.  I'd also ask your OB about his/her rates (section, induction, episiotomy, forceps, natural birth experience, etc).  Some obs will say that they are open to a natural birth but their practices work against that so def something to look into.

Cali1012

I recommend looking into switching care if you are interested in having a natural birth. I also used Special Beginnings and my husband and I took Bradley Classes with Tina Overton, who we hired as a doula too! Amazing experience definitely research taking a class together that's geared towards natural birth as well as watch the resources others listed! It may change your perspective on how you want to labor and deliver.

Treschic81

I'm going to go against popular opinion and say you don't HAVE to have a doula or deliver at a birth center or home if you want a natural delivery. That being said, you just have to be able to stand up for yourself and make your wishes and needs known. I say you only need to switch practices if you tell them you want a natural birth and they aren't supportive. I've known 4 women personally that had a natural birth at Howard county with an OB and without a doula. If you want a doula, then by all means get one. I think they're wonderful. Just know this is YOUR birth and barring complications, you can have what you want, even at a hospital.