[noi'mnot]

Good evening all,

I'm going to try for a VBAC next year. I'm about 18.5 weeks along now. After interviewing (and quite liking) a local doula and speaking to a few others, I've just found out that all of my nagging was successful and I've managed to get in to my hospital's one-on-one midwifery care. Love my midwife, she's super, looking forward to going through the pregnancy and birth with her.

But now I'm kind of stuck. Do I actually need a doula if I'm going to get the fantastic care available from a one-on-one midwife?

All I can really think of at the moment is that the doula could help at home (not sure if I need that...) and could help advocate in the hospital... but do I need that help with advocacy? I've got a super-dooper partner for help too. I'm not sure.

Any other pros/cons? I'd love some advice, as I'm a little lost as to what to do at the moment.

Thanks in advance!

[crankybee]

I was in the Midwife Program at RNSH and my midwife wasn't on the weekend I went into labour so I had another one. And after 12 hours she went home.

My Doula was with me from 2am at home, to 11pm. 21 hours straight. And I needed her, trust me. Hire the Doula!

[Puggle]

Doula, doula, doula.

[Leee]

For me I would say no you don't need one. I have seen a couple of births in group practice and with doulas and from my experience it didn't work that well. Group practice midwives are as you know into natural birth and working with women to work towards a pregnancy and birth that they want. In the ones I have been a part of it has taken away a lot of the role of the midwife, and has then left her to deal with the only the medical side.

Even if you don't get your midwife on the day or if she leaves (they don't have shifts but can only work so many hours, which is usually a lot), you will have usually met your backup midwife who will be there.

I value doulas but that's just me opinion. But if you do want care at home, then maybe consider a doula.

[lucky 2]

I wouldn't see the point of having a doula when you have a one on one mw relationship for pregnancy and birth.
Doubling up in that situation imo.
Perhaps for more intensive post natal care but I'd be finding out what was provided by mw in terms of home visits etc, it may be perfectly sufficient for you.
It's hard to know exactly in advance how you will feel and what you feel you will need when it is not upon you, but the reasons for birthing services providing the know your mw schemes is sound and it is designed to improve your experience and hopefully outcome.

[Eirinn]

I thought I didn't need a doula for my VBAC attempt. I was having a homebirth, and I correctly assumed I could cope with contractions on my own.

Well, four days of labour ending in meconium stained waters and a hospital transfer later, I ended up with another caesar. I can't help but wonder if having a doula there for my entire labour would have made a difference - with helping to suggest positions, reflexology, even just the support to feel safe might have made a difference.

[Eirinn]

I wouldn't see the point of having a doula when you have a one on one mw relationship for pregnancy and birth.
Doubling up in that situation imo.

No, not doubling up if you have a long labour. A midwife isn't a birth support person. Many homebirthers use both a midwife and a doula, and the midwives encourage them to do so.

[lucky 2]

A midwife isn't a birth support person.

I would include birth support in the role of a MW, most definitely, but I get what you are saying.

[noi'mnot]

Thanks so much everybody for your input.

Hmmm, there is an interesting mix of opinions here. I respect the role that a doula could play in a long labour, but am concerned about the doubling up aspect. I'm still up in the air about it.

I might have a chat to my midwife when I see her next week, to see what she says.

Any other experiences and ideas, I'm happy to hear!

[Rumina]

Your midwife works for the hospital, your doula works for you - that is the difference!