Would you have a Doula?

[InMemoryOfSleep]

I’m considering training as a Doula, and I’m interested to know people’s reasons for choosing to have one (or not!). Is cost a factor? Also, do people find it a bit ‘woo’?! One of the issues I had when searching for a Doula locally is that the few available offer things like shamanic healing, placenta encapsulation, etc, which is just not for me . I wondered if there is a place for a sensible, supportive birth Doula, without the new age approach, or is that missing a vital part of what the role is about?

I assumed doulas were both antenatal & postnatal, that they were available to the mum during the pregnancy, birth and PP period?

For someone who thinks doulas are pointless, Lipstick seems to be showing a huge amount of interest in and opinions about becoming one

Me too, can’t fathom why you’d instruct 2 separate individuals, and different birth doula

53rd,as I said I’d ask anyone career changing to factor in childcare

I didn’t say doulas were pointless I’d be more long winded than that

You think most parents changing careers haven't thought about childcare?

@Annabelle4 I believe it’s usually either/or, although most Doulas I know are pretty flexible with what they can offer. For me, the postnatal period has a pretty specific set of skills - for example, breastfeeding support, which isn’t really my area of interest, so I’ll be sticking to antenatal. Sure you could find one who does both if that’s what you need.

And to clarify - as Lipstick still doesn’t seem to have grasped it - antenatal includes the birth.

I’d hope so
Hence advice to factor in Childcare, travel, expenses, any job related expenditures

You weren’t clear op. You implied birth only
But thanks to you my grasp and I are now fully reunited

You weren’t clear op. You implied prebirth only
But thanks to you my grasp and I are now fully reunited

I had a doula and two midwives present at all times. I sent the doula home pretty quickly as it was just many people.

If I were to have another birth and for some reason it had to be in a hospital I would take my midwife with me for sure. She wouldn't be able to work as a midwife though, she'd be there as a doula.

I'd be terrified to be in hospital without someone to advocate for me. Dh is way too laid back and also emotionally involved.

@shesalady ooh that’s interesting, did you have an independent midwife? I absolutely feel the same about being in hospital, would be hoping for a home birth next time and would have a Doula.

I'm in the States so had a home birth as our local hospital's c section rates were terrifying. Every single friend I have who went in to give birth has had a c section.

I hired two local midwives who at the time weren't licensed at all but a couple of years ago the state introduced midwifery licensing.

They were amazing. I've stopped saying it as people don't seem to believe me but I actually enjoyed the whole birth. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. They've also become very close friends and ds is great friends with their children!

I know a few doulas and not one of them is even remotely woo!

I wanted to punch dh's balls off during the birth so he couldn't get without 20 feet of me. I also felt terrified about the birth, I have absolutely no family here and at the time no friends or support at all. I felt so alone and scared, they quickly made me realise I could do it and that I was stronger than I'd ever thought.

I still get teary and soppy now when I think of how looked after and loved they made me feel. And I'm a hard faced cow 99% of the time!

I've actually since been my sil's birthing partner twice at her home births with the same midwives. She also didn't want their husband near her (and he's fucking hopeless at the best of times) and is a super nervous and anxious person. She was almost hysterical about the birth at times.

We live very remotely and both births were very quick so I did most of the labouring process alone with her. The second time the midwives got there just in time!

@shesalady I apologise that I’m not massively au fait with American practices; are midwives allowed to deliver babies, or does it have to be a doctor? I understand Doulas are much more commonplace in America, I wonder if it’s something to do with being used to paying for healthcare, so it’s considered more normal to pay for a Doula.

FYI
Antenatal = pregnancy (not birth)
Intranatal = labour and birth

It may vary from state to state but midwives are allowed to deliver babies. But only the historical ones can deliver in that hospital if you see what I mean.

Hospital ffs!!!

Thanks @impishgal77 - but Doulas tend to be referred to as antenatal or postnatal, with antenatal Doulas also covering the intranatal period and supporting with the birth.

It’s not conventional use of the terminology hence why I asked you about being prenatal doula....and you told me to get a grip

Oh look who still wants the last word 🙄

LipstickHandbagCoffee
I didn’t say doulas would be pointless I’d be more longwinded than that

Yeah, I think we realised that without you needing to say

(I am totally in agreement with proper regulation and am in one of those professions myself, but for goodness sake give it a rest)

What would you prefer I say?hey,throw yourself and your money into that 2day rigorous training? It’s

“What would you prefer I say?”

NOTHING!!!!
You’ve said more than enough already.
HTH.