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Childbirth

Doula - experiences and recommendations please!!

6 replies

JenJam · 13/10/2005 01:00

Is it worthwhile paying for some support?
And can anyone recommend one/that they've personally experienced.

i've been on www.doula.uk and found a couple of names/faces i like the look of but wondered if anyone could personally recommend a particular person.

Don't know if this helps
I'm a first timer
I'm 33
I'm booked in at UCH
I'd like to hold off epidural for as long as poss...
I've just done a hypno-birthing course

thanks!

OP posts:

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JenJam · 13/10/2005 17:04

bump

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velcrobott · 14/10/2005 19:40

There are doulas who are experienced in hypnobirthing too. Did you call those doulas?

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Shivs1974 · 17/10/2005 17:29

I had a wonderful doula at the birth of my dd and couldn't recommend it highly enough! I felt completely in control & she made sure that my dh was "looked after" as well. I'm sure without her I would have gone to hospital earlier (I was 12 days late and induction was beckoning - also when I arrived i was 5cm). I was fortunate enough to have no pain relief & am sure this was due to her fantastic back massage & encouragement that I could do it. The bad news is that she's based in Kent. Try those on the doula uk website that are near to you - they do get booked up - and go with someone that you feel comfortable with. Mine was a godsend & I'm going to make sure she's there when I have a second child!!

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JenJam · 31/10/2005 17:55

thanks ladies
still umming and ahhing but you are helping sway me in the direction of having help. am seeing a lady this evening to see if she will suit
wierdly i feel guilty about spending £600 on getting help. (i think nothing of spending this kind of cash on a holiday....)
any more experiences

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hunkermunker · 31/10/2005 17:55

Who else would you be having as support in labour?

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JenJam · 31/10/2005 18:39

hi hunkermunker
my dp (who seems likely to be very good at supporting me (unless he gets freaked out/rabbit in headlights),
but
1)is already knackered from being woken up by me every night...not sure about his stamina - how he will hold up in a very long labour...
2) and i'm worried that he might be bamboozeled by medical staff fi things 'go wrong'
have you hired a doula?