Doulas-- worth it?

Re: Doulas-- worth it?

• mamahawk12 member

  March 2015

  I think it depends on your personality type. I'm not the kind of person who would enjoy the help of a doula or find them useful, I'd be more annoyed and uncomfortable with a "stranger" being around. But some people love them and swear by them. I think you have to lay out what exactly you're expecting from a doula, how they might enhance the experience, and whether or not it's worth the cost.
  
  Food for thought though, my sister hired a doula and paid her a flat fee for the prep classes, materials, birth, and postpartum session. She ended up having a pretty quick labor (in the middle of the night) and the doula didn't get there in time. I personally thought she should have gotten a substantial amount of her money back, but I guess that's not how it works in the doula world.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  Proud Mama to cleft cutie
  

  
  

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• aimeemb06 member

  March 2015

  I would definitely love to hear anyone's experience with a doula! We were more financially able this time around to hire one, and made the choice because we are way more committed to a "natural" birth at a birth center this time, and I'm doing everything I can to prepare. DH is extremely involved already and reading what he can to prepare, but if you think about laboring for possibly 14 hrs (or whatever average labor lasts) and you want someone supporting you with massage or reminders to relax or just someone who's experienced many births, than a doula sounds like a great addition to the support team and shouldn't be seen as a threat or make your SO feel un-needed. Your SO may need some break time themselves, so whoever can be there to focus on you (that you're comfortable with) should be a great addition. There are definitely options out there if you can't afford one, but I would love to hear those other experiences with one!

  

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• seesea member

  March 2015

  Depending on experience and services they offer, having a doula can cost anywhere from $200 to over a $1000. A lot of it also depends on how compatible your personalities are. You want someone that you're very comfortable with.
  
  I was fortunate that one of my really good friends is a doula. Even though I ended up with a c-section having her there was a tremendous help! Being that it was my first, she knew exactly what to ask for and had questions for the L&D staff that I wouldn't have even thought of. As I was going through labor, she knew positions or exercises I could do to make the contractions more bearable. My husband and cousin were in the room as well and they didn't feel useless at all. All of them worked together really well to help me be comfortable and made sure I got what I needed. They were real advocates for my birthing experience and I wouldn't have had any other way. Despite not having the natural birth I wanted, I had a great support system.
  

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• ktjohnson87 member

  March 2015

  I had a doula with my son. I learned a lot from her from all the pre birth sessions we had but in the end, I just didn't feel like I wanted her to be at the birth. She was very set in her beliefs on the way the birthing experience should go and I knew that I needed to feel at ease changing my plan if I wanted to without someone hovering over me. I think it's great, especially if you're not super comfortable exerting yourself with your midwife or OB. My midwives were great and really listened to my birth plan, the moment right before labor, I realized I'd be fighting my doula more than the midwife.

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• MJMum524 member

  March 2015

  @mamahawk12 I'd be pissed if I spent the $$ and the doula wasn't there. Talk about guilt on the doula's part if she didn't refund some money. I know doula's support all the way through and after but I'd want some rebate if she wasn't there for my labor and delivery! I guess I'm speculating, but if it was me, I'd return some $$.
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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