Did you use a Birth Doula?

[LeighaJ]

Please share your experiences if you used a birth doula and would you recommend them to others to use?

I'm at 31 weeks, 1 day. This is my first pregnancy, it's not considered complicated, I want to use a birthing pool, and I'll have my husband with me. I also have Bipolar I Disorder and increasing paranoia/anxiety over having a traumatic birth experience.

My Mother's delivery of me was complicated, traumatic, and involved a lot of medical negligence leaving my mother unable to have more children after me and leaving me with longstanding hip problems. Even though there wasn't a genetic component to it that could make me predisposed to the same experience, those stories haunt me now. I worry too that in a fragile state with only an equally inexperienced with labour partner by my side that if something bad happened we'd be susceptible as my mother was to being bullied into more dangerous procedures to facilitate birth.

Hiring a doula is obviously an extra expense and while we're not poor, we're not wealthy either. I don't want to propose another shared baby related expense to my husband unless it's something I really believe to be worth it for us and baby.

I wanted to with DS, but there were none active in my area at the time. I'm looking into it with number 2 (due in August). In your position, I'd look up Doulas who cover your area, get in touch with them, explain your circumstances and see what they come back with. Even though the lady who operates in my area was on maternity leave at the time I gave birth, she still gave me some useful support and information via email, so it was worth contacting her.

Have you looked into any support you can get already in your area? I know we're I am there is a really good funded doula service and I think you would qualify with your mental health background. Also I know it's hard but try not to worry I think things have moved on alot from when your mum gave birth and the midwives want a safe birth for you and baby xx

Yes, I hired a Doula for my first and only (so far) child. I wanted someone to be in my corner if necessary. I felt so much more relaxed about it all knowing I had her there. She did two meetings before the birth, she was on call for four weeks around my due date. She also did a post natal visit to check we were all okay. If I had had my baby in hospital, she would have been there to protect the birth space and liaise with people. As it happens I had my baby at home, so she was there for support. I would hire one again.