[digitaldorothy]

Okay...please excuse my ignorance but reading through the forums I notice people talking about Doulas. What is a Doula? Is anyone planning to hire one?

[gisses]

DigitalDorothy, a doula is a birthing assistant that can suport you during the birth process. They are there to help with things like massage/natural pain relief etc and can also support your partner if your birth goes for a while. They cannot intervene with the birth though, or give medical information. But they can talk you through your options for pain relief etc.

The following link will give you some info:
http
://www.bellybelly.com.au/pregnancy/dou...hat-is-a-doula

We seriously considered a Doula with our first. In the end, she never would have made it on time, so that was $800 that we didnt have to spend! A friend of ours had a Doula as she had just moved interstate shortly giving birth and her husband was overseas on business. There were no family or friends close by that could come to the hospital with her (some she didnt want to!), so she hired a doula so she wasnt alone during the process. She said it was better than having her husband there!

The doula we wanted to hire was the lady who taught us our hypnobirth for labour and birth. She was wonderful and very calming.

For our next baby, we know what to expect, so wont be hiring one. We are however, utilising the services of a student midwife. They need one on one experience and are passionate about their craft so in some cases, may be just as effective as a doula, but are free.

Some may disagree, but it is personal choice and what you feel comfortable with.

[3_for_me]

A friend of ours had a Doula as she had just moved interstate shortly giving birth and her husband was overseas on business. There were no family or friends close by that could come to the hospital with her (some she didnt want to!), so she hired a doula so she wasnt alone during the process. She said it was better than having her husband there!

Exactly the same for me, had a doula as my only support person with my third and it was by far my best birth.

Mine was a trainee doula so was also free

This post has been edited by 3_for_me: 02/04/2012, 02:33 PM

[findingada]

I had a doula for my VBAC. Mine was an ex-midwife and she helped me work through my fears about natural birth. She came to my house 6 times before the birth to talk through my issues and she did a great job to help me stop using Dr Google (which was also recommended by my OB). Instead she helped me to start listening to my body. Toward the end of my pregnancy I was so relaxed and calm - even my husband said that it was money worth spent because of how I changed from being so stressed to being very relaxed about it all. The birth went smoothly and fast (I started to get period cramping at 7am and bub was out and on my chest at 11am). I was in my own little world while giving birth - it felt like it was me and my baby working together. The doula made sure the midwives knew what I wanted and she helped keep me in my zone by keeping everyone, except for my husband, away from me as much as possible. She made sure bub and I were skin to skin for at least 2 hours after birth. My bub rested on my chest for 30 minutes after birth then he popped his head up and lunged at my nipple. He got what he needed on his second attempt and after 20 minutes of nuzzling slept soundly. I had heard that babies could do that if no medication is used but to see it happen was amazing - prior to that I thought newborns were helpless. The doula and my OB helped me have a normal birth - the OB watched from the sidelines ready to step in if anything went wrong and the doula helped me emotionally. My husband was wonderful (quiet and offering physical support to help me into various positions) but I needed a woman who knew how to support me without asking too many questions at the time of the birth. My midwife was great and she took care of the routine medical aspects (using a hand held doppler after a contraction, checking progress and updating the OB, and keeping the paperwork in order) but she was too loud and extroverted for me. Having a doula meant I got to choose an experienced and knowledgeable woman to be with me who I connected with before the birth. I would say the most important thing my doula did for me with was helping me to get rid of my fears around childbirth.

[Pssst...]

Thanks motherwrites! Your story was really great to read. I would like to attempt a VBAC for this one and am considering a doula/IM (or student doula/midwife).

[LouwithTwo]

My doula - my saviour!!!

Both my partner and I agree the best thing we ever did in our pregnancy was hire a doula. Although I firmly believed my body knew what to do - just having someone else there to support and stand up for you was fantastic. More importantly - my doula helped support my partner!

I'm now pregnant again and have hired a student doula (her doula teacher is my original doula, and will probably be present for the birth also!).

BEST THING EVER!!!!!

[JuniorGandR]

Gisses your story almost exactly matches mine. DH and I hired a doula - she was our calm birth teacher and she was great. She visited us beforehand and gave us some really good tips / techniques, but in the end I went in to labour early and she was away (we knew that might happen) - so we saved the money on her being at the actual delivery . In hindsight I think she may have helped me stay calmer, and perhaps cope a little better if she had been there, but I ended up with a natural birth and a very supportive DH who knew all about oils, music and keeping the room dark (which he learned from the doula) so she still helped us even though she wasn't there.

Digitaldorothy - I believe they are well worth the money if you find one you click with - a good doula can help prepare you for the unexpected, cut through the medical jargon and help you get much needed space in a medical environment.

This post has been edited by JuniorGandR: 04/04/2012, 07:17 PM

[~*Marti*~]

I want to try for a VBA2C for my next baby, so would LOVE a doula, but I can't find any in my area!!

[Cuddlesnkisses]

Started bleeding yesterday, so doesn't look like a sticky one for me best of luck to all of you, the next nine months is going to be a fantastic journey.