Hiring a Birth Doula - Experiences?

[rebeccacad]

This week I was strongly recommended to hire a Doula for my home birth (by my brilliant ante-natal yoga teacher).

She said it would mean there was someone to do practical things (like make tea, open the door etc) other than my DH - or free my DH to do these practical things if my H isn't the best birth partner and they can be a great support and advocate if you do end up transferring to hospital.

Have any of you used a Doula? Did you find it useful? Anyone you'd recommend that might serve East London?

It's quite a bit of money, but may be worth it if it'll really help to achieve the birth we want.

Thanks!

You need to give Marslady a shout! She is fabulous and will answer all your questions I'm sure

oooo - is she a mumsnet Doula?

She is and she's London based but I don't know which part. She is seriously lovely though - I almost considered having number 4 just so she could be my Doula but decided that was a bit of an extreme reason to have another child

I had one - best decision I made. She was brilliant. I think of them as birth personal trainers and I certainly couldn't have bounced back from a 6 day labour and an emcs without her help. She also did things like ensuring DH ate and slept.

I had a doula for what was booked to be a standalone birth centre delivery, but ended up as a prem labour in main hospital under continuous monitoring.

She was absolutely amazing, and it was great to have someone who was solely focussed on me and caring for what I needed or wanted.

I'd recommend a doula to anyone, and Marslady is fabulous

Thanks everyone - I'm getting in touch with Marslady! Any more Doula stories very welcome.

I used HertsNEssex who is also a MN doula.

I would DEF recommend having someone there just for you - who is totally focussed on you, and can remind you about things when your mind is elsewhere.

My doula was fantastic - has been with us for both of my children and I love the fact that she is there for ME, for what I need her to do.

HM x

Thank you Haribosmummy! xxx (Just logged on, not been on for a while)