For those asking about doulas

mpiemont · September 2014

My old OB (who I loved but he moved away

) was very natural birth friendly and he just posted this on FB. I know a few people had been asking about doulas.

20 reasons to hire a doula

kj808 · September 2014

What a great article! One of my good friends is a doula.

Poppy715 · September 2014

I would love to hear from some ladies who have used doulas in past pg. I remember a few ladies on my last BMB swore by their doulas. I would love to hear your experiences.

mpiemont · September 2014

@poppy715 I used one for both of my labors/deliveries and plan to use one again this time. They were both instrumental in my ability to have the natural birth I had "planned". But they were both so supportive of me regardless of what I would have decided (as far as epidural, etc). It was just so nice to have someone that was 100% dedicated to taking care of me at that time. With my first, she was also really helpful with helping my H understand what he needed to do for me, because I don't think he really knew what I would need. She helped with what positions I should get in at certain times to help things progress, suggested getting in the shower when I was getting antsy, helped me get through transition when my body was just out of control... Second time around, I didn't need as much help with labor but she really helped with delivery/pushing (because my OB was having a brain fart and was awful). They were both worth every penny.

Edit- I should be in bed. I can't type...

Skk1977 · September 2014

@poppy715 I loved my doula. I had an obgyn, midwife, two nurses and a few residents oh and the anesthesiologist of course during my labor and delivery. I experienced active labor for a long time before my epidural because they weren't picking up my contractions on the monitor (I was lying on it weird). She was instrumental in helping me manage pain, keeping them from pushing pitocin on me and rushing to get the anesthesiologist when I could no longer bear the pain. I had a very normal and easy l&d--considering the pain is there for all of us

ryemo · September 2014

My mom said she'd be my doula at my first birth. When stuff didn't go as planned, she could only be my mom and didn't have the knowledge of laboring positions etc that a doula has. At my VBAC, I had my mom and a doula and it was great. I've since become a doula (and student midwife), and I'll still have a doula at my next birth--no amount of personal knowledge can replace that calm presence at my births.

mrs2mommy92 · September 2014

Thank you

that link was really helpful !!

DawnLilly · September 2014

I wish. The one doula in our area has to be the softest most unassertive person I have ever met. Before my external cyphalic version a nurse was trying to put an IV in. My midwife and the OB had stepped out of the room and the midwife's student/doula stayed. The nurse failed 4 times. I have a high pain tolerance. The doula never said anything. The fourth different spot she tried clasped and finally my husband told her to quit screwing around and call someone from the IV team.

He also did a fantastic time during the version attempt and my cs. He was my advocate multiple times. As well as my son's. As I was being sewed up a nurse was about to put eye ointment on DS and DH told her it was in our birth plan not to. It was unnecessary because of the cs. I am very lucky to have him. He doesn't do any research but he retains everything I read to him and he's both calm and assertive. I wish I could find a doula though so that he could relax a bit more this next go around.

icajesica82 · September 2014

One of my friends is a doula. I think she is going to be there with me. My other friend had her 3rd a month ago and her first natural birth. I asked if she thinks she could have done it without our doula friend and she said absolutely not.

jennnyboomboom · September 2014

My best friend is a doula. We've both been looking forward to when I got pregnant so that she could be mine! I'm really excited to be working with her. We've been friends since 5th grade. I was her MOH and in the room when her son was born. I feel so lucky to have her!

welly01 · September 2014

GFJ48 said:

When should one start looking for a doula?

Here's a good place to start: https://doulamatch.net/

sarahandandy · September 2014

I had a doula for my first pregnancy. It wasn't a great experience. She was at the end of her training. She was very opinionated, even though she had relatively little experience and was questioning my doctor's medical management when things started to go down hill. It made things pretty uncomfortable for me. All the more reason to thoroughly interview.

HeatherC21 · September 2014

AlaskanAlison said:
I would love to have a doula because I already know DH is going to be absolutely useless. He's already asked a couple times if he really has to be in the room with me when I deliver (he's not good around blood and medical stuff). The tricky part is going to be convincing DH that the cost of a doula is worth it...they run about $1200 here.

All of this, though it's a little cheaper here about $800

Poppy715 · September 2014

What are your thoughts on having a doula for a likely C section? I am trying to remain hopeful that I'll be able to try laboring but the stats for those with PreE who end up delivering by C's are pretty high. In your opinion's would it still be worth it?

Poppy715 · September 2014

ramy3 said:

@Poppy715, talk to a few doulas and see what they say. If you're wanting to attempt labor, a doula would be very helpful. And if your hospital allows doulas in the OR, she could help to keep you calm and centered during the cesarean.

I would be in heaven if I was able to labor. I know OR's are strict about the amount of people in the room. I also kind of like the idea of her wrangling my family. That was one of the most difficult things DH went through after I delivered Addie. So many people in and out of the ICU. It was a circus, so I hear. I would love to have someone on our side in the room with us. Just with my interest and babies to worry about.

I'm not crunchy by any means so I'd want to find a good fit for me and more of a medium. I was looking at the doula match website and there were a few in my area with high risk and preemie experience. I loved that!

lala5507 · September 2014

The financial cost is what is holding me back too. I called my insurance company and they said it's not covered because it's not medically necessary. Which really got my blood boiling because an epidural is not medically necessary, but everybody is so gung ho about giving me (and covering) that.
She did say I could have my doctor submit it for possible coverage. I might try that angle because I had some issues with the epidural that past 2 times and don't want one anywhere near me this time.

welly01 · September 2014

I found this link about getting insurance to cover it. https://anthrodoula.blogspot.com/2010/09/did-you-know-doula-services-are-covered.html. I'll be submitting a claim this time, just to see if I can get it through. (I have no idea if the information is legit, its just something I came across).

Also, definitely second the idea of looking for a doula in training. My doula was free as long as I took her Bradley class, which I was going to do anyway. Definitely don't let cost deter you.

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