Doula?

Jasmineeelizabeth

I'm devastated about it but I've come to the decision that I need to change care providers. Because I live in an area with few midwives I know that I will not be able to find another one this late in the game and so I have to switch to an OB.

This also means that the birthing center that I wanted to deliver at is no longer an option But I pray that I can carry out my plan of a natural birth in the hospital, and am considering hiring a doula. 

Have any of you gone this route before? Was the doula a big help? 

amberthehobbit

I had a home birth but my doula was amazing. I recommend a doula to everyone now. Surrounding yourself with like minded people is the best support.

tokenhoser

You're in Ontario, right? A family doctor is also an option; I just stick with my family doctor for my pregnancies and she's then also my child's doctor. Not sure if Ontario has as many family docs that deliver, but it's pretty common her in Saskatchewan. My doctor was very supportive of my birth plan and I had a lovely birth with her last time.

I did have a doula - a doula will come to your house and help you well before a doctor has any interest. Most doctors only really show up when you start pushing. My doula helped us stay home as long as we could, get to the hospital at the perfect time, gave great pain management advice and physical support, and we're hiring her again this time. For us, totally worth it. DH was actually the one that said it was worth getting her for #2.

mb314

I think it greatly depends upon your hospital.  I had a med-free hospital birth and didn't have a doula.  However, my hospital was VERY natural birth friendly, and they were happy to stick to our birth plan.  The nurses were all used to working with women who had natural births, and they were really supportive. There was also a labor tub I could use for pain control. Also, my husband and I did Bradley training, so I felt confident he could be a good coach and advocate for me.

 I think a doula is an asset when your OB or hospital is not accustomed to natural birth and when there is a culture of automatic epidurals, pitocin, etc.  Having an extra person to speak up for you is very helpful.

 

Jasmineeelizabeth

tokenhoser:

You're in Ontario, right? A family doctor is also an option; I just stick with my family doctor for my pregnancies and she's then also my child's doctor. Not sure if Ontario has as many family docs that deliver, but it's pretty common her in Saskatchewan. My doctor was very supportive of my birth plan and I had a lovely birth with her last time.

I did have a doula - a doula will come to your house and help you well before a doctor has any interest. Most doctors only really show up when you start pushing. My doula helped us stay home as long as we could, get to the hospital at the perfect time, gave great pain management advice and physical support, and we're hiring her again this time. For us, totally worth it. DH was actually the one that said it was worth getting her for #2.

 

This post just made me cry with relief. I have a wonderful family doctor and she's agreed to follow my pregnancy. The thing I was most looking forward to about a midwife was being able to stay at home and labor for as long as possible. I'm looking into a doula right now. Thank you so much. 

tokenhoser

So glad to hear you can stick with your own doctor! It's nice to have that history and relationship, and generally I've found a family doctor to have a "pregnancy is normal" mindset. Congrats!