Has anyone used a Doula?

[PollyIndia]

I am thinking it could be a good option for me as I won't have a husband or partner there... actually thinking of doing that instead of NCT. Does anyone have any experiences using a doula?
Thanks

Yes, I had a doula for the recent birth of dd2 (12 days old). In fact she missed the birth, through no fault of her own, but her input was still invaluable. Despite having no birth partner whilst I was giving birth, the preparation I'd done with the Doula enabled me to stick up for myself when it mattered, and I do believe that I had the birth I wanted because of the doula.

That's a good recommendation, thanks. Sounds exactly what I would want. Did you get a referral or just use the general doula directory?
Congrats on your baby! Is dd a daughter? I don't really understand all the acronyms on here!

Yes dd is dear daughter. Ds dear son. There is a list of acronyms somewhere.

I have a friend who is a Doula and she recommended a couple of people. But I had already seen this one on the Doula UK website.

I had a doula for ds2 birth. She was great. Not only during labour but in the weeks leading up to birth we were in constant contact.
She was great when I had a bit of an issue with a midwife and very diplomatically sorted it out so I didn't have to worry.

I've got a doula booked for dc2's birth (38 weeks now) and she's helped me so much already. I had quite a traumatic birth first time round and had been really dreading going through it again, to the point of panic attacks but now apart from the odd wobble I'm just really looking forward to meeting my dd