I'd like a doula but there are none available when I'm due within 70 miles

[whomovedmychocolate]

Why are all the doulas who aren't on sodding holiday in July already booked? Surely people can't be booking them pre-pregnancy???

What do I do? Help!

I've seen people on the thread talk about trainee doulas - perhaps you could get one of them? No idea where from though - sorry

They normally list on the findadoula site. I've been through all of them. Thanks for trying though. At this rate, I'll take the cat instead!

Where abouts do you live? One of us may know a Doula who lives local to you but may not be on the Doula UK Site!

Oxfordshire, apparently I'm giving birth at the John Radcliffe again.

Maybe I could ask the local midwives as well?

Thanks Jofeb04

Not all doulas are on DoulaUK, by any means!
Have you asked your community midwives?
If you are in Edinburgh......

Ooh ooh I used to live in Oxford.
If you CAT me or email me prune pruni at hotmail dot com)
I can give you a contact, at least (though one you may know, but it's somethign)

Oh sorry. Well - I wouldn't recommend the cat - but perhaps you should review your circle of friends and see if there's anyone who's had children of their own and is sorted enough that they might be able to help you through the labour. Will you have a partner there as well? If so you're going to need someone they are really confortable with as well.

also, www.nurturingbirth.co.uk train and place doulas UK wide, and might well have some new doulas by july..what is your EDD? my DD is a july baby

i do phone doulaing, if that's any help

Noooh, contact Julia Osborne ( I think that's her name) and she trains doulas in oxfordshire! Am sure she will be able to help you!!

In January I'll see here again as she runs the breastfeeding bus and can ask for more details if you like

The breastfeeding bus! That sounds very, very cool

It is, nearly an excuse to have another baby!

That's the ticket!

DH says no!

WMMC,
I don't know anyone that way,but like lulu said,also try nurturing birth website.

here we go:

Birth by Nature
Tel Julie Osborne: 01865 763374
Childbirth Preparation for groups or couples, labour/birth support with a trained birth companion (or doula) and breastfeeding support for new mothers.

DH is a 'ooh the doctors know best' person. Which is not very helpful in the circs.

Lulu you are a gem but modern technology of any form is not in my plan (I may just find a cave at this rate and hide). I just go into myself and ignore people so holding a phone is not really possible!-

I have been talking to Julie by email, she's on holidays as well. I think I am at the end of the list already -sigh - perhaps I should start sizing up my friends . Now that must be an interesting conversation!

no worries, it was a tongue in cheek offer!! seeing as i am not moving to your neck of the woods before july !!

if you have a girlfriend you trust implicitly, who has had her own children, who will respect your birth preferences and set aside her own feelings to support you then that is great...it is the continuity of the support that a doula gives that is vital, and if you have a friend who can do that , then great ! i had my best friend with me in labour, she was great.... until the placenta was delivered when she went a bit green and left the room !

Have you tried this lady? My friend had her as a doula with good report.

Lulu are you moving to Oxford?

noooooo !! that came out wrong! had a bit of a running joke with someone else, that either she or me would have to move house so i could be her doula.. obviously neither of us did
i;ve not had any caffeine yet, so i am not making proper sense !!

Oh I see!
Yes remote doula-ing is a bit difficult, isn't it!

yes, shame it cannot be done my telepathy !

Ooh Pruni, she looks worthy of a call - thanks. DH admitted this morning he'd rather look after dd for the majority of the labour which is actually a relief, I considered whacking him with an oxygen cannister last time for ignoring me and doing the crossword while I was in active labour!

Oh good
Another friend had her just as a breastfeeding help but I don't know what her qualifications are.
Let us know how it goes!

what a shame, are the MW not supportive of having a homebirth? I had both mine (also Oxford, can see JR from our house)at home with very good NHS MW's.

Also maybe an independent MW is an option? Cant remember her name but I did an aquanatal class and one of the teachers was a independent MW, cant remember her name though but she used to work for the Summertown MW's, easily to track.

Another thing I forgot to mention is that you could ask for a trainee MW to be present if a Doula isn't possible. Meet her before the birth to see if you 'click'. I had one following most of my pregnancy but she finished 5 weeks before DD and wouldnt have minded is she would have been there.

When I am in labour I want to be alone and get one with it so v. v. important MW are aware of this. At time of DD's birth there were 3 other homebirths going on and needless to say they were short staffed and MW was calling to check etc.. which annoyed me and asked her to leave the room as distracted me too much and she was ok with that and stopped doing it