indepenent midwives, doulas and private hospitals - are they worth the money?

[Carriel]

Really sorry to bother you guys again, but we?re in the final stages of writing our second book; mums on pregnancy, and are a bit short on some information. We wanted to hear from anyone who has either used an independent midwife or doula, during labour or had their baby at a private hospital. Please tell us about your experience. Did you think it was worth the money and would you do it again? Thanks so much for your help.

Fennel - I know a very experienced doula who works with the Manchester area.... she is in Wigan.
Get in touch if you need her details

Hi, Pupuce,

Do you know of good doulas in the Tooting/Streatham area of London? I have emailed the ones on doula link you gave - just wondered if you knew any personally. Thanks, D

Thanks Pupuce. Is she the one on the Doula UK website for the NW? Wigan seems quite a trek for her (though it's not as if I've had speedy labours).

Dinny,

I can recommend one in West Croydon (who could do Tooting) and one in Sanderstead (ditto I think), though the latter is better post-natally - presumably you're looking for a birth doula? I've only ever used a doula post-natally, but several of my friends locally have used one for the birth, and they've all sworn that it was money well spent.

Thanks, 150percent, would you email me their details? I'd want one for the birth and postnatally (to help me breastfeed, really).

Thanks again. D

Diny - Sorry - was at a birth myself........There are loads of excellent doulas in London. One of them in SW17 - she gets booked very early (high demand - she has been used by another mumsnetter and she charges less than many! + probably most experienced doula around). I know the doulas 150% talks about too.
If you e-mail me I can make individual comments

Fennel - why don't you give Janet a ring?

I think I know her is she blond???? Are her initials AL?
If so she was with me at Queen Charlotte when Pie had her baby.... I understand that she is well known from other Doula UK members - she would be fine.
If you hire a non Doula UK member make sure you have references (speak to previous clients) also be very clear about what you can expect from her.
Doula UK members are monitered, trained and mentored, they have signed a code of practice, have a complaint's procedure,.... so there is a bit more structure to ensure that parents do get someone with the right work ethics IYKWIM.

Get in touch with me

Completely agree with you SueW

dinosaur, I am a doula too, but not on the list. I paid my subs for 2 years but did not get any leads through their website, ( I know that is not the main reason for joining) but I felt that my subs could be put to better use in my own advertising. I was also too busy to consider taking on any more work, so don't reada too muh into not being on the list!

I am in St Albans, Herts, and I know another in Welwyn Garden City who is prepared to travel.

contact me via my website

BTW - many talkers have contacted me before.... strange !

Alibubbles - Doula UK has changed a great deal those last 2 years... and you are right if you are not on the list does not mean you're not a good doula
The list is one way for women to find doulas (at no cost - no agency fee) in their area (especially if they are use to looking on the web).... and it's a good network for doulas.

Alibubble - just curious. How do you combine the doula role with your childminding? I know you only childmind termtime so do you only accept doulaing in the hols? Or do you have other arrangements? Sorry just being nosy.

Bozza, you're right, I do only work term time, but have some post natal doula work in the holidays. ( I get 15 weeks) Some people only want a couple of weeks, and it fitted in with my holidays. When I first completed the training I had three months of no children, and I did it so I could have something to fall back on.

I also finish at 4.00pm or before, so have been able to help during that 5-7 slot, when babies are quite often colicky, or mum should be resting to help her milk, but has other siblings who need tea getting and bath and ready for bed. I'm happy to help where and when it is needed.

I find also that mums like an older person around to help with other children, a bit of a 'granny' figure, - what your own mother would do if they could, but sometimes can't because of own work, distance etc.

alibubbles would you consider working in North London area? (N21)

Could you contact me if you would? I am contemplating the idea of a doula for my second pregnancy.

thanks a lot!

If anyone knows of a doula whow orks in North London, I would be extremely grateful if you could let me know, especially if you have had personal experience of their work!

Hi Webmum... look here .

Doula UK has recently changed its system and now all its doulas are trained and experienced and known by the organisation. You even have 2 "categories" too.... recognised or not - recognised doulas have worked with 4 clients who filled-in an (appraisal) form. All the doulas have signed a philosphy and code of practice.
At least it's one place to look for a doula... and you don't have to pay an agency fee.

Only just caught up with this thread. Pupuce, yes, I have checked out the site again, and it has changed a lot and in what it offers in terms of info on doulas. I will have to consider joining again.

There is an article in todays's telegraph about doulas, a whole page!

Webmum, I do only have school holidays, so depends when you are wanting help, but check out Pupuce's link to the doula UK site. I was trained by Michel Odent,, I think it was his seond group of trainee doulas.

Is N21 Winchmore Hill?

Saw the article.... sounded more like an advert than anything else. The courses JB runs are not at all like they use to be... all the people who spoke at her course have left.... I leave it at that So you had it good then.

pupuce, JB didn't have a particularly good reputation then, as TNN's. I wasn't that impresssed and never signed up with them. - does that mean things haven't changed much?

I'm curious, does what you say, mean the course I did was easy or more demanding. I don't have a problem with any criticisms you might have to say about the training, I just know that sitting in a small room with MO for 4 days with his heavy French accent was very hard work, and every time someone chllenged his theories, he would say repeatedly, one case does not make a statistic!

I 'd like to know whether you think what I did is suficiaent for a post natal ( I wouldn't do birth, I know my limitations) doula, or do I need to do further training? All comments received favourably!

The training was good THEN not now... and many doulas I know have done (or tried to do) the training in the past 2 years.... because I don't want to be sued for libel I won't say more..... you can contact me off line if you want to know more.

A lot of PN doula don't have much more training than what you have as traning/experience. I have "only" trained with Odent and have worked for 8 families postnatally - I'd venture to say I only go positive feedbacks and many recommendations.... PN doula (as you know) is a lot about being supportive and practical in another woman's house.

Thank goodness for that, I was beginning to wonder if it had been a bit pointless!