Has anyone had a successful Doula guided birth in the Tameside/Oldham region?

[jouli]

I am preg with 2nd baby & had an emerg CS with DS1. I'd had dreams of a natural birth with my Mum present,but it wasn't to be as my Mum lives in Ireland & she'd come over a few days before due date & left 2 weeks later to return to work & still no DS. Anyhow he came eventually after a sweep & the doc discovered at the 11 hour that DS was breech. Anyhow,God forgive me for saying it,but my DH was bloody useless. Even though he attended all the birthing classes etc, I felt he was just hovering,not knowing what to do(poor bugger!) So this time I'd love a Doula to help & guide me,as I'd love a VB. Has anyone had a good experience ? It's so expensive,but I feel it's the most important event of your life,so worth it. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Doulas don't have to be expensive - our new doula for as yet unborn DD4 (the doula I had for DD2 & DD3 has retired) is costing us £0 as she is a student doula. There is also a fund for parents on benefits/low income.

I found my doula didn't guide me rather supported me in what I wanted during labour - a lot of the doula's work is done before labour in the pre-birth visits esp. when you are doing the birth plan so she is well aware of how to support you.

I also found that our first doula helped DH in supporting me too, e.g. she showed DH how to do counter pressure on my back during contractions and then DH took over so it was DH helping me.

Thanks for your info.That's interesting that your douala is a student.I gathered from the official UK doula website that for support during labour it was around £400 or so. How did you find your student douala ?

I used this search on the doula.org.uk and found a local student doula who was willing to take us on. Our previous Doula charged about £600 per birth (2007 & 2009) but we got a sibling discount when we had the 2nd baby with her.

Thanks again for your help,it's greatly appreciated ! That's a wonderful website & has given me plenty of doualas in my area. Now I get the difference between mentored & recognised doualas.