To Doula or not to Doula?

sadsadie · August 2012

Hi Bumpies,

I have just recently gotten more educated about the labour and delivery process and realized a want as few medical interventions as possible. While I am not against any pain management, I do not want an epidural and would like to avoid pitocin (two meds that often lead to unnecessary c-sections). I'm OK with low-level interventions like Nitrous Oxide, TENS, anything natural to help deal with the pain.

Unfortunately, I can't get a midwife, so home birth is out. Our area has no birthing centres either. So I am left with the option of a hospital delivery. I hope to labour at home for as long as possible (we live within 5 minutes of the hospital).

What are people's views/experiences with Doulas? I am strongly considering hiring one, as I've heard that labour with a Doula often leads to less medical interventions and ultimately, c-sections (do not want!)

edenrivers · August 2012

Doula!

We did a doula with our son, and had a natural birth (until hour 26. Then I took a shot.) Doulas do not act on your behalf, or interfere with medical care; however, doulas can be great when having to make decisions.

Case in point: my son was a week late when I went into labor and my OB was ready to induce. He came to the hospital and wanted to break my water (I was barely 3 cm) ... after talking it over with my doula, we decided breaking the water was less invasive than Pitocin.

In general our doula was there for support, guidance and great massage for mom!

amandaleigh1 · August 2012

If you can afford a doula and also find one that you click with, they are worth it! I was induced for medical reasons first with cytotec, then with a small amount of piticin which we were able to turn off for much of my labor. So I did all of my laboring in the hospital and with the assistance of my hypnobirthing, my husband, and doula, I made it through with no pain meds or epi. It was the experience I wanted and it was much easier to get it with the help of my doula.

tokenhoser · August 2012

I had a doula and loved it. It was the biggest birth/baby expense we had, and we wouldn't have a baby without a doula in the future. She made it such a positive experience.

For me and my DH, it was just the best fit. We're not huge on classes. DH isn't fabulous at taking care of me when I'm sick or in pain (he's a good guy, he's just a bad nurse). A doula was a minimal time commitment beforehand, helped DH be a rock star support for me, and generally just kept everything so calm. I loved having her around.

I gave birth in a hospital with my family doctor attending. It was a good experience, and I'll probably try to repeat it with #2.

BakerMommy · August 2012

I have never heard of anyone who regretted getting a doula. I really regret not having one with DD1--I got an epidural as I was in transition, so close to the end! If we'd had someone with us to suggest other positions and techniques (or just recognize the "emotional signpost" and let me know I was almost there), I bet I could have gone natural. I'm so glad we found someone we love for this birth! It really puts my mind at ease.

aylafsu88 · August 2012

We loved our doula. She was very supportive, helpful, and a key to our natural birth (we had a natural birth in a hospital with an OB). When things got tough she helped talk me through the pain and made my birth experience enjoyable and stress free as possible.My DH and I could not have done it without her! She was worth every penny.

pammi2003 · August 2012

I wanted to get a doula for this delivery so badly but could not afford one. I managed to give birth naturally at a hospital without one.

If you can afford one, get one!

PansyPants · August 2012

DOULA!

Like everyone else has said, if you can afford to hire a doula; do it!

I had one and am very thankful. I hope to have a home birth with my next pregnancy and plan to hire a doula for that as well.

I strongly believe that no matter how supportive a husband is, he can never be a woman let alone a woman who's gone through birth. There is a certain understanding and intuition that many doula's have, they seem to know when to provide specific comfort aids or when to encourage your partner to provide them. Some people have this type of support/experience from family members but many of us don't.

For me, it helped a lot. I feel that I would have delivered naturally either way since I'm so strong willed, but it would have been harder.

sadsadie · August 2012

Wow, thanks for all the thoughtful responses! I am going to start calling doulas and arranging interviews. Thank you everyone!

lovin life23 · August 2012

So funny..you sound exactly like me! There are zero birthing centers in our area and the none of the hospitals have birthing tubs...it's either home birth or full hospital birth but the home births are $$$ and our insurance won't cover it.....so hospital it is

I am very interested in a doula but haven't decided...I do want to meet with a couple though just to get a feel for everything...hopefully I can sent that extra $ aside for one...I think I will really need a doula's help as DH just gets way to nervous to be fully "in" or supportive and I need my advocate!

sadsadie · August 2012

lovin life23:
So funny..you sound exactly like me! There are zero birthing centers in our area and the none of the hospitals have birthing tubs...it's either home birth or full hospital birth but the home births are $$$ and our insurance won't cover it.....so hospital it is

I am very interested in a doula but haven't decided...I do want to meet with a couple though just to get a feel for everything...hopefully I can sent that extra $ aside for one...I think I will really need a doula's help as DH just gets way to nervous to be fully "in" or supportive and I need my advocate!

I know, isn't the lack of options kind of sad? My province is vowing to build two new birth centres, but that will be a few years in the making, and I don't think I can hold the kid in that long. ;-)

I have started calling/emailing doulas. I heard back from one with a lot of experience that I am very interested in, and I will be meeting her when she returns from a vacation next week. I have heard nothing but good things about her, so fingers crossed!

It is a chunk of cash for sure, especially when you're trying to set up a nursery/acquire the right tools for parenting. But I talked it over with DH, and he thinks is will be well worth it. Like your husband, my husband can get nervous, and asking him to be my "birth coach" would probably be too much pressure. I think with a Doula we will both feel much more relaxed, prepared and reassured.

Let me know what you decide!

pc150805 · August 2012

I didn't have a doula and my birth was perfect. I say do what you think is best. I didn't want someone I didn't know giving me tips during my labor; it would have bothered me.

Want a personalized experience?

To Doula or not to Doula?

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