Doula

prettybrwnbish · March 2016

Anyone have info on how to find one? How about if they are useful eventhough I'm not planning a home birth? I've been hearing a lot about them but wondered if it's necessary to have one. Thoughts?

satto_takai · March 2016

I haven't had a doula, but I hear that they can be very helpful within any birth - as a support person who knows a lot about the natural birthing process. Doulas typically have to go through specific training to be able to practice. Per Wiki "A Doula (/ˈduːlə/), provides continuous emotional and practical support, for mothers and couples, through pregnancy, birth and immediately postpartum, also providing flexible practical and emotional support postnatally for new mothers and families in their own homes. Doulas are usually experienced women and mothers who have undertaken a doula preparation course."

A friend of mine said her doula was helpful in making sure the hospital followed her wishes, even when my friend was in pain and could not advocate for herself. Others I know who have had children said that a family member who has been through birth/worked in labor/delivery are just as supportive and helpful as a doula.

As for necessity - I think it is an individual choice. Is there a website for such services in your area?

I hope this helps. Good luck, and I am sure you will make the right choice.

lmtrmama · March 2016

There is a website for doula certification and they can refer you to doulas who are certified. It's Dona.org!

acciobaby123 · March 2016

Oh my goodness, definitely get one if you can find one in your area that you trust. My doula was the SOLE reason I didn't have a c-section, and she was also a certified lactation consultant and a pre/post natal massage therapist. Since we didn't live near family, it was helpful to have someone extremely knowledgable about birth that was a short phone call away.

prettybrwnbish · March 2016

Thanks a bunch ladies!

jmknox · March 2016

I loved my doula I had with DS. She and hubby labored with me prior to going to birth center. She also did lactation comp silting post-partum. He said that without her he would have panicked and that she was worth her weight in Gold.

Bubblegum5586 · March 2016

When I talked to my birthing instructor about a doula she said their primary role is to "mother the mother". She is one herself but has hired one for all 5 of her (natural) births but also said an experienced family member that knows your wishes can be a great alternative.

Ceventa · March 2016

When you get a chance, check out Mama Natural. I originally found her through her Youtube channel, but she also has a blog. She talks a lot about having a natural, unmedicated birth, and even more about Doulas.

She just launched this video (it's almost 40 min) about how to find a Doula, what they do, and the differences between them, midwives, Ob/Gyns, and certified midwives. She also goes into the differences between hospitals, birthing centers, and at-home births. If this is a route your interested in, watch the video, I thought it was really good even though I am still planning on using my Ob and going the hospital route. They also explain what kinds of preggo ladies would be best suited for these different options.

Enjoy! Here's the link to the video: 8 Keys to a Natural Childbirth

You have to enter your email address and they send you access to the video.

Katm89 · March 2016

We found ours on Doulamatch.net

charmedlifex3 · March 2016

We were lucky enough one of our neighbors is a doula. My husband is actually really grateful for the doula - she is his support person as much as mine. Birth is a long, hard, painful process and a doula is a way to make sure you have someone in your corner who (should) know what they are talking about. The labor and delivery nurses are super sweet, but likely you won't have met them before. Your doctor may or may not be the doctor on call. For me the biggest reason I went with a doula was she is someone who can advocate for us, and reassure us everything is normal (or be honest and let us know when it is not.)

We also live over an hour from the hospital, so finding some degree of support within 5 minutes was crucial. As a FTM I would like to avoid going in when I don't need to... but I'm equally scared of not making it.

Our doula did say she can't actually tell the doctors what to do, but she can listen to their recommendations, translate anything we don't understand, provide alternatives we can ask the doctors about, and support my husband if he needs to tell the doctors something on my behalf. An example she cited was a client who's baby was breech, and the doctor wanted to do a C section. She suggested her client request the doctor attempt to turn a breech. The doctor hadn't wanted to turn the baby because it was time consuming and painful, and only works sometimes. Upon the doula's urging, the mother requested it, the baby was able to be turned. The doctor hadn't even presented that as an option, and the mother had no idea that was possible. The doctor had only presented it as "we need to do a C section." She did not need a C section after all, and had a smooth (vaginal) delivery.

And no, you don't "need" a doula - but for me this was one "luxury" item I was not willing to give up, given our situation.

And meet a few until you find someone you like, is in your area, and price range. Ours was only $650.00, but a few in our area were double or triple that. I also like how confident our doula is, but mild mannered. Another we met seemed to me to be pushy, another not assertive enough.

There is a natural birth board on the bump too, and information on doula's in there.

alwayshug · March 2016

I second the recommendation to check out MamaNatural. This blog post is all about doulas. At the bottom she links to three websites where she recommends looking for a doula.

I'm going to look into getting a doula if possible. (This is my first pregnancy.) I'm going to ask my midwife at our next appointment if she recommends any doulas in our area.

Curls919 · March 2016

Because you asked if it's necessary to have one, I wanted to answer that part of the question. No, it's not *necessary*. I know plenty of people who have used them and loved them (and I have a few acquaintances that are doulas and they seem like lovely people to have in the delivery room), however I did not feel like I needed one. DH was a great support for me and the L&D nurses were awesome. They were the ones that got me through labor.

So long story short, it's a personal decision. I didn't have one last time and I don't plan on having one this time.

Neesey · March 2016

I wish that is had one with my son. We were so early that it would have been helpful to have someone to help calm is down. So many things were "have to" that we now know had alternatives that were never suggested. I'm much calmer this pregnancy knowing that our doula will be there not only for me but my husband too. Ours is a friend but a place that offers prenatal classes does doula speed dating so you can meet a bunch at once. It is important that you are comfortable.

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