Doula or no doula?

[connyrabbit]

I'm having a second baby in October and can't decide whether to call the doula I had for DS or not.

It was a fantastic experience, I loved having her with us all along, she was incredibly helpful and soothing. But the difference this time is that I am going to have a caseload midwife, who will be at home with me when labour starts, going to hospital with me, and hopefully delivering the child too.
I understood the whole point of having a doula when the only midwives you get to see are the ones you meet when you first arrive at the hospital, but with a caseload midwife I'm just wondering if having a doula with me might be unnecessary...
The midwife doesn't know much about doulas so couldn't say anything one way or another.

Anyone out there that can help me make my mind up?

Thanks all!

I considered a doula both times, but decided aginst it. Mostly because I felt quite confident in what I would and would not allow, and confident I would still express myself/communicate this.

I am also a HCP myself and did not feel intimidated by staff or hospital etc.

But I think doulas generally are a great idea, especially for women who feel they will benefit from extra support.

But I gather they give antenatal support and provide some practical help after the birth too, I imagine that with an existing child plus a newborn that this would be a welcome help? Either to help with practical stuff like shopping, or to hold the newborn for an hour while you get quality time with the PFB?

Plus if it would be the same douls you had before, a familiar face for when you want a chat or a grumble?

Given you've already had your DS with this doula my point might not be relevant, but it's worth checking hospital policy re birth partners. Apparently my hospital will only allow one birth partner, which would mean choosing between a doula and your OH... Have to say the idea of having the same mw throughout sounds great, so long as you get on with her! I take it you already know who that mw would be?

Hi numpty mum,

I was allowed to have DH and doula along with me at the hospital, and will be returning to the same hospital so it shouldn't be a problem.

And yes I have met the midwife. She's really nice, the only thing I would say is that she looks quite junior, and the doula is 60ish, which would balance well I suppose.

I am definitely for hiring the doula post natally for a week or two anyway. It's the actual birth that I'm wondering about, given I've done it all before.

I'm trying to remember the things that had made me swear I would take a doula again, but you just forget. Baby brain...

Sympathies re 'just forgetting'. I'm due in 3wks, and was convinced I'd never forget the things the drove me mad about the first time... but nearly 3yrs later it's all blurred.

I was considering a doula for this time but decided against it because 1) found out about hospital policy and 2) the one I'd have wanted is actually training to become a mw so isn't currently available as a doula.

The experience of the doula might be helpful if you think your mw might be a bit inexperienced. From my experience last time my first mw during the birth was great, but the 2nd did seem inexperienced and much more keen on writing her notes than noticing that the gas and air had run out. Your doula might also know some tricks that help in the early stages re positioning if the baby is not lying right, or if your labour slows up - at what point does your mw come into the picture? However on the minus side, once mw does come into the picture the doula won't be able to give anything that can be construed as 'advice', she can only offer support. At least that's what I understood from other doulas when I asked about it on here previously...

If your midwife will be with you continuously, then she's practically fulfilling the Doula role, as long as she can support you emotionally and physically throughout your labour. If she's experienced enough to identify when you're likely to need particular reassurance and support and know when to back off, then she may be all you need. I suppose it depends how medically focused she is during your labour and birth versus ability to offer personal support and attention to you. Good luck with it all.

I wouldn't have made it through my labour (14 hours, 9.5lb baby and I am 5'2" and a size 8) with no drugs/drips/pain relief without my doula, she was amazing. My husband is busy telling all our pregnant friends that all the workshops and classes in the world would not have prepared him to support me like my doula did, if you can afford it, do it, you won't regret it. With NHS care you don't know which midwife you will get and even if you get one you know well and like, they go home when their shift ends and do not coach mothers through birth in the way a good doula will gently do.

I'm also thinking about getting a doula. My first baby is due in August. I'm with a really good team of community midwives that work on a case load basis, which means I tend to see the same one for each of my antenatal checkups, often at home. Also one of them will be on call when I go into labour and will come to my house and advise when I need to go to hospital - the idea baing that I stay at home for as long as possible. However, one of the team is now pregnant herself and they're having trouble hiring her replacement. I've been told there's a chance there may be nobody available to come to me at home when I'm in labour.

So this is one reason why I'm considering a doula, another is that I want to do everything I can to reduce the likelihood of needing an epidural.

My questions are, will a doula examine you in labour and tell how dialated your cervix is? And also, would a doula be able to deliver a baby if things happen to progressed really quickly?

Hi HattieBB. A doula will not be able to examine you in labour as she is not trained to be a medical expert in her role. A doula will be with you consistently throughout your labour and birth and be able to assist you emotionally and physically during this period and afterwards, until you and baby are happily settled. She will help with breathing techniques, best positioning for you during labour, comfort measures and assurance/encouragment etc. In her role, a doula is not a midwife, she will not be trained to deliver your baby, she would not desert you however, if labour happened to progress too quickly. She would ensure that the relevant care and emergency services are organised as soon as required.