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April 2011 Moms
LadyXaverian
member
Met with a doula today
LadyXaverian
member
Last week, there was a discussion about doulas. I have been interested in working with one, so I looked on dona.org and found some in my area. After browsing their personal websites, there was one who stood out to me. I contacted her, and we met today for an interview/consultation.
It was so great. She has a warm personality, and she is passionate about the birthing process. She is and advocate for med-free births (she's had 4 herself), but she is equally supportive of whatever decision a mother makes. She's attended as a doula in both situations. This was an important factor for me. She's also had good experiences at the hospital where I'll be delivering, and has a good relationship with the staff there.
My husband and I have a few factors to consider (mainly the money, though honestly, it's not as expensive as I expected), and we're going to speak with a couple of her most recent clients.
I just wanted to share my experience today for anyone who's been considering interviewing doulas. I'm really glad we met with her.
Our sweet girl is 3!
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Re: Met with a doula today
$600 as well. $300 up front and $300 after delivery. However, if you end up having a scheduled c-section after the contract is signed or if after working with her, you decide it's not a good fit and you don't want her at the delivery, you don't have to pay the 2nd installment.
A friend of mine in NJ said that the ones she's looking at range from about $550 up to $800, so I think $600 is pretty standard and not bad.
Thank you for sharing this!
I've been wrestling with the idea of a doula. Part of me really wants one, but the other part of me feels like I'd get annoyed with her (I get annoyed easily). But then again, it would be better to get annoyed with her than with my husband...
How often do you meet with her/speak with her before labor?
We would have 2 in-home visits and a childbirth education class (I think at her home). If I want her to, she will attend an appointment with me to meet my doctor. I can call/email her any time and as often as I like with questions.
She said sometimes, if she and the mother feel it's needed, she will do a 3rd in-home visit before L&D.
Once I go into labor, if I want her to, she will come to my home to help me labor at home for a while OR she'll meet me at the hospital when I'm ready to go there.
She stays during L&D and up to 3 hours after delivery if I want her to.
She visits again the day after delivery in the hosptial.
She does another in-home visit about a week after delivery.
ETA: I think that I will be a lot less likely to get annoyed with her, and even if I do, I think she can take it. I think it will help my husband who is already really nervous about L&D to relax some and just enjoy being there to support and encourage me without feeling like he has to step in and help in any way.
Doulas are wonderful. If we were going to plan a hospital birth, I would have absolutely wanted one there.
That's right, you're doing a home birth, aren't you? I only know 1 other person who had a home birth, and she's a huge advocate for it. She had a wonderful birth experience.
Yes Ma'am.
I know quite a few people who have had them, and they always seem to rave about their wonderful experiences.
We have a hospital 20 minutes away that has midwives on staff, but they don't allow any laboring in the tub/too much moving around so we decided to go with the home birth. I think there might be 3 of us on the April board that are having them.
I'm glad you had such a great experience. I'm close friends with 2 Doulas.
One I consider 'normal'. She's very supportive of the mom and whatever the mom decides to do.
The other, is a wacko IMO. She actually makes her clients sign a contract that they will stay drug and intervention free unless mom or baby's life is actually in danger.
Um wtf? And she gets clients? I hear there is one in my area who has literally walked out on mothers in the midst of labor if they decided they needed an epidural. That's just disgusting.
Double WTF! That sounds like something my friend would do. She pushed and pushed for me to have a home birth with my DD. If I'd taken her advice and done it, well, let's just say I wouldn't have DD today, we'd have lost her during delivery.
I get so mad when I hear about doulas like that. It is their business to practice how they want, but it is so against the idea behind a doula I believe, as do most other doulas. I think everyone should have someone with them that is going to support their choices no matter what, someone that you don't feel you need to impress or answer to. I think it is our duty do make sure someone is informed, but it is up to them to decide what to do with that information.
Thank you for sharing all of this info.! I need to start researching a Doula, so this helps!
Does anyone know if health insurance ever covers a Doula?? I'll phone mine, but wondered if it is unheard of or not.
It isn't common, but it happens. Usually you would pay and be reimbursed later. When you interview you can ask, some doulas have the provider code to submit to insurance companies, that may make it a little more likely to work.