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3rd Trimester
sherpa
member
Are doulas for hippies?
sherpa
member
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Are doulas for hippies?
Ha...no. I have a doula and anyone who knows me would laugh if anyone referred to me as a hippie!
I have to say though...I had to interview 4 people before I found one I clicked with because I'm not into the whole "women were made for this, our bodies were made for this, blah, blah" crap. I found one who has 5 kids and said labor hurts, but we can work with that and get through it together.
The first few started in with the "women have done this for centuries" stuff. That might work for some people and that's great. But, I don't work like that. I've done this twice. I know the type of pain labor can cause. I don't need someone telling me it's pain with a purpose and all that jazz. I need someone who understands I find nothing beautiful or magical about this and can work to get me through it. Thankfully, I found someone who thinks like me!
So, no....there might be hippie doulas and you may or may not click with one. But, there are doulas of all types for all types of people. Even Libertarian/Republicans like myself.
I voted Doulas are for everyone but you might want to check out www.dona.org to read more about doulas and the purpose they serve during labor. Here's what they say about why you should hire a doula:
Why use a doula?
DONA International doulas mother the mother
Women have complex needs during childbirth and the weeks that follow. In addition to medical care and the love and companionship provided by their partners, women need consistent, continuous reassurance, comfort, encouragement and respect. They need individualized care based on their circumstances and preferences.
DONA International doulas are educated and experienced in childbirth and the postpartum period. We are prepared to provide physical (non-medical), emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth, as well as to families in the weeks following childbirth. We offer a loving touch, positioning and comfort measures that make childbearing women and families feel nurtured and cared for.
Numerous clinical studies have found that a doula?s presence at birth
So while I wouldn't say that is a hippie mindset I would say that using a doula is more of a natural birth philosophy.
I think doulas are for everyone- (and yes, I am a little bit of a hippie, so yes, have some granola and enjoy!). The reason to hire one is to have complete support from someone with experience with childbirth. They mother you while you're laboring, keep you focused, etc. Ideally you'd find one who has the same birthing philosophy as you, so in your case, you'd look for one who isn't against a medicalized birth.
Doulas do seem to be more popular among those women who are planning on natural childbirths, mainly because they may feel they need extra support to resist drugs especially in a hospital setting.
We're not using one, but we are hoping for a natural Bradley birth. You should keep looking and I'm sure you'll find one who is more in tune with your vibe (so to speak- ha!).
Good luck!!
I'm the furthest thing from a hippie and I have a doula.
Nurses are overworked and underpaid - I'd rather pay someone to provide me with the personal attention I require during my L&D.?
no they should not but don't worry about it
and FWIW, like daisy, i too am a libertarian and would consider getting a doula although i won't for this birth. i am, however, going to do hypnobirthing. you can pass that granola my way.
We will have a doula and we are not hippies... although DH is a bit of a tree-hugger.
Our hospital has a volunteer doula service and the doulas that I have met with run the gammet. There are a few crunchy ladies in there, but as long as they are okay with the idea of me possibly getting an epi I could careless.
With Jacob, my first pregnancy, I had a Doula. I was in labor for 43 hrs. 30 of those hours were unmedicated. If she wasn't there I don'tknow how I would have made it through all that. Now, on the other side- when I felt like I couldn't go anymore and needed the Epi she was trying to talk me out of it. The contractions were off the charts and I felt like I was going to die. She was very flower child, sweet, but flower child.
I remember most of the techniques she taught us the first time around so I won't be using a Doula again.