What happens if the doula doesn't make it in time?

[Marjee]

Just that really! I'm not pg but planning on ttc next year. I'd love to have a doula to support me for my next birth but I had a fast labour with ds so theres a good chance the doula would miss the birth. Does anyone know what happens in that situation? Would I still be expected to pay?

I tink you'd still need to pay as she would have not taken on other clients due around the same time as you, she would have been on call for you, not her fault if you are quick, etc

That makes sense, never thought of it like that before. Oh well, I'll need to think of a plan b or make my peace with going it alone.

I'm a doula and yes I would still charge, unless of course it was entirely my fault I didn't make it - e.g: my car broke down, I was sick, I had travelled too far away knowing you could call me.

As the above poster says you don't just pay for having a doula at the birth you contract us for being "on call" for 4wks meaning we cannot take on other work in that period, cannot drink alcohol, have to be prepared to drop anything else in our life at the drop of a hat etc....also the fee generally covers 2 x 2hr long antenatal meets with us, email and phone support as much as is needed from whenever we are booked and also a 2hr postnatal visit, so it really is so much more than just the birth. If I missed a birth through nobody's fault I'd probably offer some free postnatal hours.

I ask mums to keep me updated with any changes at all, shows, waters going, practice runs, diarrhoea, inklings etc...so that I am aware that things "could" be happening and can make sure I am ready to go so you don't just call out of the blue. Also with your history it might be worth finding doulas who are really local to you.

Mirror everything cceverywhere said. Find a doula as close to you as possible and keep communication open so she knows what stage you're at. A doula would expect to go to your house whilst you're in relatively early stages of progressive labour. I'd rather go the a client's house too early and come back a number of hours later when she's ready, than miss the birth because I haven't been called until it's too late. Unless you give birth incredibly quickly, it's unlikely your doula will miss being with you.

Thanks for your replies ladies, as I said I'm not pg so this is all just hypothetical musings! Ds was 3hrs 45mins from first twinge so theres a good chance dh will be home awaiting childcare while I'm giving birth. I'm just frightened of having to do it with no support, everyone says I'm lucky for having had a fast labour but it was too fast, I was terrified!

Have you thought about a homebirth this time, then no childcare worries?