Did you use a doula and did it help?

[Holymoly321]

Am considering hiring a doula, esp as I plan to have a VBAC (DS was elective section due to being breech) so have never experienced labour before. Anyone used one and did it help you?

I am using one in this my 3rd pregnancy so haven't been there and one it yet, but I can tell you that just having her there, knowing I have someone who I have met before the birth, really like and trust and respect etc, has masssively put me at my ease already.

i'm having a home birth and feel very relaxed about the whole thing but I was worried about the hospital and the staff that I am under the care of and it was all stressign me out a bit. I then hooked up with a wonderful doula I met on Mumsnet, - Marslady - and it's the best thing that could have happened.

Just knowing she's there has massively helped me / us already and I'm already hugely grateful to her.

The fact that you will meet and get to know your doula before the birth will, I think, help you as well so I say go for it.

Doula's rock!

Good luck.

I haven't had my baby yet (am 38 weeks) and have to say I feel relieved that I have booked a doula and got to know her a little, esp as it's my first, it's a homebirth and the midwives will be total strangers. If I had the money for an independent midwife maybe I wouldn't have felt the need, but it's nice to know that on the day there will be someone around who we know and feel comfortable with. Plus she's a very useful person to be able to email with silly questions.

I did and yes it did. I hd a vbac too. And I can honestly say that now I would never ever even consider giving birth without a doula present

Ditto every aspect of NKFs response. Hired a doula as wanted a VBAC......that was 9 weeks ago to the day. She was fab, and if I ever decided to have a 3rd I'd start saving the minute I got the positive result on the pregnancy test, just to make sure that I could have a doula at the birth..........kind of not too sure how anyone gives birth vaginally without a doula!