just wondered what type of people/why hire a doula?

[bigboydiditandranaway]

that's it really, just curious!

no partner, partner away, partner squeamish, feel a woman understands birth more, person who is less involved so taking pressure off partner, calmer presence, so on and so forth.

how much do they charge?

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I have no idea. Never had one, I was just going on what other people have told me! I think lulumama is one (is she?) someone is anyway!

I just typed 'doula' into google for you and got this - click here

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there is a thread going about this in the pregnancy topic

and yes, i am a doula!

the benefits of having one to one continous support in labour are huge... up to 50 % less chance of a c.section or instrumental delivery..

it is a motherly, nurturing role, not a clinical one, and you build a relationship and rapport with the moether and her partner befroe teh birth, so that you are all comfortable together

someone to be oyur advocate, support you and empower you to go for the birth you want

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I had a post natal doula because I really struggled after having dd and ended up with PND so I wanted to do everything to avoid that again. She was fab but in fact ds was such an easy baby I'd probably have been fine!

I think the only 'type' is a fairly well informed one. Not many people have heard of doulas IME.

I know 2 people that have hired one. One had a crap first birth and wanted a perfect homebirth for her second (and she got it!). The second has hired a postnatal one who ahs extensive breastfeeding knowledge as she's determined to crack the breastfeeding with this, her 4th, child.

I have it in mind to train as one when I have a few other things finished up and the children are a wee bit older. Not for the money (I personally don't think it's particularly well paid for what it is?) but because I'd love to help women/couples get a better birth and post-natal experience. I think a doula can fill the gaps that the NHS leaves...

I hired one because I was concerned about the appalling standard of maternity care in my local hospital and wanted extra backup.

My doula was amazing in every way. We had an awful awful birth where ds wasn't breathing and was taken straight to intensive care. It was an utter godsend to have her there as she could stay with me whilst dh went with ds. Otherwise I'd have been left totally alone in a traumatic situation worried sick about ds and obviously after a tricky birth so not in a great state myself.

Worth many times what we paid her (which was £500 iirc)

I'm hoping to have a doula when I have my 4th baby. I haven't had a doula before. My reasons are:

DH and I are both assertive in pretty much any situation apart from childbirth - discovered that during the births of our 3 children!

DH has a demanding job and we have 3 children to find childcare for when I'm in labour. Although we'd both be very upset if DH couldn't be there, it will make a huge difference if we know I'm not alone.

My labours are generally ok but a common theme running through all of them is that I panic near the end. I'm hoping that a doula can help with that in a way that DH, who is obviously far more emotionally involved, cannot.

I'm going to give birth in an NHS teaching hospital. It has a good reputation and I've given birth there before, but I can't help thinking that it will be in my interest if there is an independant advoate there representing my interests. I've been lucky enough never to have a horrible midwife, or be severely neglected during labour, but I reckon a doula would be pretty good at making sure those things don't happen.

Doulas are great bit like rent a mum(nice one) you can find mars on multiples thread(shag pile) I think she has been elected vp of doula uk
can help you get better birth help with feeding and offer pn support

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pruners are you in Edinburgh? Did you train there?

I had a doula with my second baby.

She was fab. I mainly had one because: I was scared of labour and that we weren't sure who would look after dd, so wanted someone there we knew if dh had to stay with her (as it happened, it all worked out and he was there too.)

would thoroughly recommend

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Ah, I've been thinking about training for a while now, though don't plan to for some time. - I'm in Fife BTW hence the interest

I'm a Doula, and I have had many different people hire me:

Single Mums & Couples (mostly couples)
1,2,3,4th Babies
Homebirth
Waterbirth
VBAC
Hospital
C/Section

Some clients want reassurance and support before the birth, some want help getting b/f off to a good start, some want more parctcal help after the birth. Every client has different needs - and as a Doulas I think our aim is to support those clients needs and be flexible.

What we offer is continual support - from many weeks/months before the birth until many weeks/months after.

Prices vary from:

'Expenses Only' upto £150 for trainee to £800+ it all depends on what exactly what you are offering/how you are able to support and your experience.

xx

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Cheers pruners. I have a few other things I want to finish up/go further with first that I hope would complement doulaing. Namely to get further in massage therapy, perhaps with a specific antenatal course, add on some reflexology and I also do bf peer support and plan to train as a bf counsellor. That should all take me a couple of years first lol. By which time the children will be older.

Not sure how much business there is in W Fife though...