Doulas. Good idea in my case or waste of money?

[LittleSilver]

This (hopefully) will be my fourth DC. I am 14 weeks pg.

I am considering hiring a doula because

• DH is not very good support in labour (though lovely DH); doesn't support my desire to have very low-interventions and thinks I should just do what dr/mw say without questioning. 3rd birth was rubbish and felt pressured by DH and MW to agree to synto non-stop when I had made it quite clear that I really didn't want it.
• DH may well be in Afghanistan anyway come February.
• Have no-one else I want there; mother has to drive from other side of the country.

BUT

• I don't really need AN/PN visits, so won't have much time to build up relationship with her
• Feel as if I am hiring someone solely to "be on my side". Which pees me off rather that I can't rely on the mw/DH to do so. Hey ho.

Also, when did you book doula?

Thanks.

I'm having one for my second. I booked her a couple of weeks ago and I'm due in Dec. Different doulas do different packages - maybe you could ask for more support postnatally with housework/your older children/debrief on birth/cooking meals for your freezer etc especially if your DH may not be around. I think a lot of doulas do this postnatally. You could consider having a trainee doula (what I am doing) as they are cheaper. The doula.uk website has a search to find some in your area.