Community› The Bump Message Boards› Multiples
Multiples
New Discussion

Doula with multiples?

vegetablegardensvegetablegardens member
in Multiples

When we thought we were having just one, I really liked the idea of having a doula to provide support during and after pregnancy and to be present during labor and delivery. One of the big benefits I'd heard people talk about was that a doula can be a great advocate for you during labor and delivery to make sure your "birth plan" was met as closely as possible. But maybe this is a moot point with twins, as there is so much outside of our control? I don't know.

Anyone planning on using one or used one before? I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this!

18 months of active trying

3 failed letrozole cycles
2 failed letrozole/IUI cycles 

BFP on the 3rd (and final) letrozole/IUI cycle before IVF 

It's TWINS!
Pregnancy Ticker
Report Reply to Post

Re: Doula with multiples?

  • pillowasspillowass member
    This time around, I skipped the birth plan and the doula because (as you said) there is so much that is not in your control anyway. I had a conversation about my preferences with the OB when I got to the hospital (delayed cord clamping, skin to skin, etc), but ultimately I felt better not trying to engineer or control the experience. It was SO much better than my first birth, where I had a doula and a birth plan and a bunch of expectations.

    That said, my friends all pitched in to get me some time with a postpartum doula who specialized in multiples. THAT was amazing and I would highly recommend it to anyone having twins, especially if you are a FTM. Good luck!
    image


    TTC #2 since July 2010
    FSH = 11 (20 on day 10 of CCCT)/ AMH = .98 / AFC=12ish
    5 IUI's with oral meds = all BFN
    March 2012 IVF (MDL Protocol) Started stims 3/3; ER 3/11 (9R, 8M, 7F) ET 3/16 (5dt of 2 blasts graded 3AB and 3BA, 3 frosties(!!) Beta 3/26 = 386; Beta 3/28 = 827; u/s 4/11 says TWINS! Boy/Girl Twins delivered at 36 weeks 6 days

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • LegallyBlonde217LegallyBlonde217 member
    The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 
    Double the love
    photo Eastercollage_zps0735f04a.jpg
    7/30/12 - B/G twins born at 33w4d due to PPROM
    image
    Report Reply
  • raraavis28raraavis28 member
    LegallyBlonde217 said:
    The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 
    Exactly this.
     image
    Report Reply
  • Brummy14Brummy14 member
    LegallyBlonde217 said:
    The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 
    Yup, had I carried to "term," and had a vaginal delivery, they delivered #1 in the normal delivery room, and then I would have been whisked to the OR for #2, regardless of how she decided to enter the world.
    TTC Since 11/10 due to Unexplained IF 
    4 Rounds of Clomid, 2 Rounds of Femara + IUI, 2 rounds of IUI+ Injectables (Bravelle + Menopur) = First BFP! TWIN GIRLS!

    November 2, 2012 - Claire (2lbs 8.9oz) and Paige (2lbs 10oz) arrive at 29w3d due to PTL and pPROM at 28w5d 
    Lilypie Premature Baby tickers 
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • jessican08jessican08 member
    marchesa28 said:
    LegallyBlonde217 said:
    The problem I see with having a doula with multiples is that you'll probably have to deliver in an Operating Room, and at most hospitals you're only allowed to have 1 support person in the OR with you.  You wouldn't be able to have your SO plus a doula.  Also, it's very hard to stick to a birth plan with multiples.  Anything can happen, and you have to be prepared for that more than for having your ideal delivery. 
    Exactly this.
    See above - lol. I had a vaginal delivery and had to deliver in the OR and was only allowed to bring one person.
    TTC 12/2009
    Me: 32 - Stage II Endo / DH: 36 - Low count and morphology (1%)
    IUIs 1-3 BFN, lap Dec. 2010, IUIs 4-6 BFN
    IVF w/ICSI #1 - ER 2/8: 24R 19M 9F ET 2/13 2-5 day blasts (no frosties) = BFP - b/g twins!
    E & C Born 10/19/2012
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • cadencaden member
    I had a doula and delivered in a regular L&D room. (My OB would have also let my doula into the OR. It's not a given that you only get one person in there.) I didn't have a birth plan though. I wanted a doula b/c I knew my DH would be petrified. I wanted an experienced person with me to help me. I guess I would say I did not NEED a doula b/c my crunchy, all-natural OB still wanted me to get an epi, so I did, and at that point there wasn't much for my doula to do. But before that it was really awesome to have her there, helping me labor, keeping me relaxed. Beyond that she wrote down all the "events" during my L&D, took pics and helped me BF after they were born. I loved her so much I hired her as a night nurse before my kids STTN.
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"