Questions for people who have opted for doula/natural

gina0485 · July 2013

Hi all,

I am new to this board and have recently begun to explore and learn about natural child birth. I have some questions I'd like to ask you all from your personal experience, or from what you've planned so far for your birth experience. I am open to learning more about all of this and would love to hear people's stories, experiences, etc. I have some questions specifically that I am looking for input on.

1) 1) Did you use a doula? If so, how did you go about selecting or finding the right doula?

2) 2) What role/tasks/duties did your doula perform? What preparation methods/philosophies did you and/or your SO utilize?

3) 3) Where was your satisfaction on a scale of 1-10 with your labor and delivery experience?

5) 4) What was the cost of the doula or other services you used?

5) What other advice or resources would you suggest for a FTM who is new to the concepts and philosophies of natural child birth?

h Thanks in advance - if anyone is interested in sharing their personal stories but not comfortable doing so on the board, please feel free to email me at gina0485@yahoo.com.

aylafsu88 · July 2013

1) Did you use a doula? If so, how did you go about selecting or finding the right doula?

Yes. I interviewed several doula and choose the one I got the best vibes from. Personally, the big question I had when interviewing a doula was how she would handle me if I thought I could no longer do it. I wanted someone who would be strong, encouraging, and positive when I was doubting myself. The doula I choose gave me a straightforward answer which I liked. She was amazing and I attribute my positive birth experience to her.

2) 2) What role/tasks/duties did your doula perform? What preparation methods/philosophies did you and/or your SO utilize? We took the Bradley classes and loved them. They educated and prepared us for L&D. We felt ready for birth but as first time parents we knew that a doula who is experienced in childbirth would be a great asset. We were much more relaxed and calm knowing that we had our doula with us who could remind us of positions, help with counter pressure, and be a positive energy. My LO was OP and our doula was a huge help with positions and counter pressure during labor. She also gave my H a break when he needed it. I freaked our during pushing and started screaming/yelling from the intense pressure I felt. She calmed me down and got me focused again. Her positive energy was amazing!

3) 3) Where was your satisfaction on a scale of 1-10 with your labor and delivery experience? A 10. I had a great experience.

5) 4) What was the cost of the doula or other services you used? 500$

5) What other advice or resources would you suggest for a FTM who is new to the concepts and philosophies of natural child birth? Read! Read up on natural birth (books by Ina May, Henci Goer, Penny Skimer). Being educated and know what to expect and what could happen is really important. Also read lots of positive birth stories. Our society paints birth as a scary, painful, traumatic event. It is anything but that. Read positive birth stories to give you the confidence that it can be done and you can do it!

tokenhoser · July 2013

1) Yes, last time and this time. We selected her based on availability and cost, and then "vibe" - my DH would not be comfortable with someone super-duper hippy/crunchy. We needed someone that fit with us both.

2) She provided physical support (hip squeezes and back counterpressure) and showed DH how to do that effectively. She helped suggest positions and using the yoga ball to make me more comfy. She helped us decided when to go to the hospital and made sure we had what we needed there (like refilling my water bottle so DH didn't have to leave me). She stayed with me while DH parked the car.

We did not use a "method" or philosophy. I did prenatal yoga and read a lot. Same this time - I just have no interest in methods. They don't resonate with me.

3) L&D was about an 8 - I had a third degree tear, but other than that it was awesome. Even with that, it was pretty amazing.

My doula was $450 last time (2 years ago) and $550 this time (but I moved 1 prenatal appt into 2 post-natal appts).

Read. There's a list in the unofficial FAQ in my siggy.

KateLouise · July 2013

1) We didn't use a doula

2) The only preparation we did was to do a general antenatal course. I also did a little yoga at home following some books from the library.

3) For DD1 probably 10/10 It was just a wonderful experience. For DD2 it was an unplanned unassisted homebirth...so not so much a "satisifatcion" issue as a WTF just happened situation :-)

4)I'm in NZ so this is irrelevant but I worked with a mw and delivered in the hospital and it was all free.

5) I read the natural birth for dummies book. The style was slightly annoying, but it really did cover everything.

abell77 · July 2013

I did not use a doula. I really wanted to do Bradley method classes and we could not afford both, so I just felt that the Bradley classes was the best way to spend our money. It's hard for me to answer your question about rating my level of satisfaction with my birth experience. I have had two med free births, and they were two very different experiences. One was much faster and easier than the other, so it's easy to want to say that I was more "satisfied" with that birth, but in reality I don't think that's a fair statement. My first birth had a number of statistically rare things take place, and overall it was a very hard birth experience, but that doesn't mean I would say I was less satisfied with that than I was with my birth that was smooth and easy, relatively speaking. In both situations I trusted my care providers were acting in the best interest of both my baby and myself, and in the end I was able to fulfill my birth plan. Even though it was a hard experience, it was still overwhelmingly positive. I don't know if that will make sense to you or not, but that's the best way I can describe it.

We paid $375 for our Bradley classes.

I recommend the Susan McCutcheon book, Natural Birth the Bradley Way. Even if you do not end up following Bradley method for your birth, I would urge you to look into some kind of dedicated preparation, whether it be hypnobabies or something different.

Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. I am happy to discuss things further, just didn't know how much info to give at first. Good Luck.

Pink724 · July 2013

1 Did you use a doula? If so, how did you go about selecting or finding the right doula?

Yes. I got a referral from a friend and once I met her, I knew she was the one. I wanted to feel comfortable with her, of course, and like PPs have said , I didn't want her to be too "crunchy" for DH. She also just had a very calming presence that I knew I would need during labor.

2What role/tasks/duties did your doula perform? What preparation methods/philosophies did you and/or your SO utilize?

She did two prenatal visits in our home, and one postnatal one. I also emailed her several times throughout my pregnancy for support, comfort, and just as someone to vent to. She was there during labor to help me try different positions, apply counter pressure and other handson techniques, and of course offer encouragement throughout. I remember towards the end when I kept saying "I can't do it anymore!" She responded with, "You are doing it!" And that I was. She was also helpful for DH, giving him breaks and tips along the way.

We took a hypnobabies class, but those techniques went out the window pretty quickly. I found that I used breathing from mg yoga classes even more, along with just sheer determination.

3 Where was your satisfaction on a scale of 110 with your labor and delivery experience?

10. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Of course there were bumps along the way meconium in the fluid, some pretty painful stitches afterward, but overall it was excellent. My OB, nurse, doula and DH were an absolutely fantastic team.

4 What was the cost of the doula or other services you used?

Our doula was 600. She also encapsulated my placenta for free.

5 What other advice or resources would you suggest for a FTM who is new to the concepts and philosophies?

As others have said, I loved reading Ina May's Guide to childbirth. The Business of Being Born movies were also useful. Although Hypnobabies didn't work for us in the moment, the joyful affirmations that I listened to everyday were great. They just remind you that your body is made to do this, and you are going to do it.

Also, be sure your midwife/doctor is completely behind your wishes and desires. Ask a lot of questions along the way in your pregnancy.

Good luck! My birth was one of the best experiences I've ever had, and I really attribute a lot of it to the help of my doula and my amazing OB.

Want a personalized experience?

Questions for people who have opted for doula/natural

Re: Questions for people who have opted for doula/natural

Choose Another Board

Search Boards