Doula - experiences and recommendations please!!

[JenJam]

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!

bump

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

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!!

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

Who else would you be having as support in labour?

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?