Really need to find a doula in NE Norfolk!!

[totalmisfit]

Hi there, i'm 29 weeks pg, expecting my second baby (due at the end of January) and hoping for a homebirth. Just wondering if there are any doulas around who might be available to support me during the birth.

I've contacted a fair few doulas so far, but i'm getting the distinct impression that no-one really covers our area. I'm sure this can't really be the case, as i know our area is quite popular for homebirths! Starting to panic a little bit as i only have 2.5 months to go now.

Anyway, if anyone knows of someone who might be able to help please do let me know!

I've found a doula from Norwich I think who covers Peterborough (quite a long way from p'borough). Will try and find her details.

www.naturalbirthworks.co.uk

If you google doulas norfolk, there seem to be a few.

I've only ever heard of Doulas online, nobody I know IRL has employed one (I'm thinking of all the Homebirthers, specifically, including plenty in our area MisFit).
Good luck, anyway .

Have you contacted all of the ones on the UK doula site? Perhaps your named midwife may have met one in your area at a birth. There's a Norfolk homebirth group isn't there? They might know.

Oh yes, naturalbirthworks is on my favourites should I ever have another. The main contact lady is lovely.

thanks luciemule and freetheguidoOne, have spoken to her and she is lovely. she's looking into finding someone in my area and will get back to me.

thanks peanutbutterkid, i think women round here must be super brave not to hire doulas (or have dhs who are also midwives perhaps)

What would the doula do that... is so special? (Not being critical, just don't get why you feel like she'd be so valuable).

I know you're not being critical, it's a perfectly valid question!

Saying that,i don't suppose it's just me who thinks their role is valuable - loads of women hire them so there must be something in it!

It's important to me because as you know we're out on a limb here, dh's primary role during the birth will be stopping dd coming in and getting over-excited/panicky/generally up to mischief so he won't be able to give me his undivided support like he did last time.

doulas are trained to 'mother the mother' in a way that my own mother just couldn't - she lives 150 miles away and is a neurotic type...

i suppose the cheapest/ easiest thing would be if i had a best friend who was very knowledgeable about the birth process and had very hippy ideals about natural birth (as i do) and lived round the corner but like a lot of women i sadly just don't have that kind of relationship [sob]

Plus i've been reading 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth' and other than actually travelling the 2000 odd miles to 'The Farm' and giving birth with her... anyway she recommends hiring a doula as the next best thing. So that settled it for me really.

Also, i seem to recall you're much more likely to get a homebirth if you have a doula present (something about them being practised to argue calmly and assertively as to why the midwifery service has to send someone, now)

I dunno, I think it's staffing issues that will determine whether they feel they can send someone out to you. I mean, I know they HAVE to send someone, and they Should have enough MWs to spare for HomeBirths; and if they don't have enough to send out for Homebirths they probably don't have enough, full stop. But whether they resist sending someone is usually about them trying to stretch their inadequate resources, nothing else. Which comes down to what's happening at exactly the moment when you need them, can't be planned in advance.

I expect Doula would still be helpful for other reasons you listed, even if you do end up in hospital.

Good luck, anyway!

I'm a doula (not a hippy one) and the only thing I would think that would pose a problem perhaps is distance from the hospital. Although it shouldn't matter and you should be allowed a HB, some midwives are more hesitant about it if there's nothing for miles.
A doula at the birth can support in whatever way you wish; to encourage your partner and explain each stage; offer optimal positions info to help you birth the baby more easily or simply just to be there as a constant companion. The presence of a doula can reduce the need for opiate drugs and can reduce the need for instrumental intervention, as well reduce the need for c-sections. Yes a friend or relative could do a similar thing (although not always trained to support in an effective way) but like OP said, she doesn't have that special kind of bond with someone or relatives nearby. I think a doula is a perfect option for your homebirth choice too. Hope you find one that you get on well with. Don't feel bad if you meet one and she's not right for you - ask her about her own births and beliefs and see how you get on.

thanks luciemule- i agree distance from the hospital could be an issue (there's a huge one about 30 mins drive away and then a smaller one, again 30 mins away on a good day but in the other direction). mind you, i've also heard that put forward as a reason for having a homebirth!

peanutbutterkid - i've been doing a bit of research on the homebirth uk website and apparently each hospital has access to 'bank midwives' the equivalent of supply teachers, some of whom are actually independent midwives who subcontract to the nhs in emergencies. Apparently when staffing is an issue they should (there's that pesky word again) be able to fill any gaps on the ward this way and free up the community midwives to attend homebirths as usual. But i suppose it boils down to whoever's in charge of the purse strings to what extent this actually happens... ah well, wait and see i s'pose!

Did you fund a doula in the end?