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To doula or not to doula?

Gem17Gem17
in Pregnant after a Loss

DH and I went to our breastfeeding class last night, and our teacher is a doula.  The hospital offers doula services for free (not sure if all do), and we are considering having one.  We plan on having just the two of us in during labor, but our families are both supportive and will be out in the waiting room.  DH is awesome and will be a huge help to me.  We are thinking it might be nice to have a doula to give you that one-on-one attention rather than waiting for the nurses.

My question:  What are your experiences with doulas?

TIA

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Re: To doula or not to doula?

  • PurpleK26PurpleK26 member

    My personal Doula experience has convinced me not to have one. But, if your hospital offers one for free, I'd at least interview them and see what they're like.

    The doula that caused me to not want one thinks hospitals and dr.s are horrible, but if these work full time with your hospital and dr.s then you probably wouldn't have those same clash of opinions!

    I believe that they are probably great, when they do the job that YOU want them to do. I can go into further detail if you'd like... just ask! 

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  • kristinem17kristinem17 member
    Hey Meg!  I am hiring a Personal Child Birth Trainer, she is not a doula, but rather an RN who specializes in labor and delivery assistance.  We will meet before the due date, she gives you open access for questions at any time during your pregnancy, obviously is there the day of delivery, assists also with nursing and even comes to your home twice after delivery for follow-up.  While DH will be in the delivery room with me, I don't know if he will be able to assist with the event... I had a hard enough time convincing him to be in the room with me!  I am still working on convincing him to cut the cord..  As well, this lady has worked worked at the hospital where we will be delivering for 15 years in L/D prior to starting her own business.  She knows the floor staff and the OB we are using she recommended.  She will be able to get things done and have immediate access to everything because they know her, respect her, adore  her and work with her all the time!
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  • ibisibis member

    We hired a doula ... obviously we haven't used her yet, but there are a lot of advantages to having one. Unlike your husband (I'm guessing), she's been to several other births and knows what to expect, knows when and how to make suggestions for natural pain relief ideas, probably knows some massage techniques, maybe even some acupressure, etc. Having her there will also take some pressure off your H and allow him to support you emotionally without having to be too concerned with dealing with medical staff, etc. - or if he is nervous, the doula can help him relax too!

    Births attended by doulas have been shown to give the mother much better chances of not needing pain medication or emergency C-sections and tend to have very good outcomes. 

    We're paying $350 for our doula - I would leap at the chance for free doula services! 

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  • OregonPacheyOregonPachey member
    I say if it's free, go for it!  I won't be getting one only because I plan on having an epidural and in my experience, they don't usually work with patients unless they are going med free.
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  • vegbear@yahoo.comvegbear@yahoo.com

    I loved having a Doula loved loved loved it! Though my husband is a Bradley Method man-he needed some support during my labor just as much as I did-and since I was not paying that much attention to his needs at the time :) it was great having a Doula there to help us both out.

    Dr. and Nrs. are in and out and only focused really on getting the baby out safely--the doula is there only for you-she is focused 100% on you and the dad if need be and that is so nice to have!

    I would interview the hospital doulas and look outside the hospital as well.

    Find one you can connect with and who will be your advocate during labor.

    I am pregnant again and will be getting a doula to help with baby #2 as well... 

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  • Gem17Gem17

    Sounds good!  We feel it may be helpful for DH to have another person to "lean on" while assisting me.  I just can't pass up a chance to have a free nurse for help!  She has worked at the hospital for a while, not sure how long, but it does make sense that she will know the staff too.  She is really nice, and her calm sense may help me too!  I think we're gonna call her to speak about this further.  Thanks for the advice!

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  • Anna&MattAnna&Matt member

    I think a lot of it depends on the type of birth you want to do. Do you want meds or med free? If med free I can see the advantage of having a doula more so than if you are going for a medicated birth.

    I will not be having a doula but do plan to have my dad at the hospital with me the whole time (he's a high-risk OB) if possible. 

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