Would you hire a *doula*?

[sarah733]

Thinking of becoming a doula and just wondered if there are any expectant mums out there in the pembrokeshire area who would consider hiring a doula! Dont worry i havent even done any course yet just wondered if its worth doing it!! Cheers!

was going to post similar to hatrick. I am not in your area, but would def think of hiring a doula.
that probably doesn't help you much though does it?

quick hijack- hatrick, you still interested in my birth pool?

Yes I would hire a doula - but I am not having any more children so my response is purely hypothetical. My reason is the same as hatrick - Lulumama is a doula I think as well, and her posts are always lovely.

We're not being much help are we though sarah? Although a bump is a bit of a help I guess.

yes of course. will loan it to you as will need it back for db3 :D lol

hatrick, join my chat thread

Yes without a doubt! However 5 children is enough for me!

Hatrick you're too kind. You know the small print in my contract states that the hospital bag (or a lovely section of the fridge for homebirths) must contain chocolate for the doula otherwise the contract is null and void!

Momma... you've already had me babe but you can again!

Sarah... go for it! It's the most amazing, wonderful, glorious, life inspiring thing. I can't believe that I am lucky enough to do something so blardy wonderful.

I'm always delighted when more people decide to be doulas, as I wanted to hire one but could only find 1 available in my area who I didn't click with (erm, with whom I did not click, or something). I'm not in Pembrokeshire either though!

Message withdrawn

I'm not in Pembrokeshire, and don't plan on having another baby, but I had a doula for DS's birth, and I honestly don't know how I would have done it without her.

In a nutshell, I'd had 3 mcs, the community midwives were totally dismissive of my fears, and in the end I had a premature birth which of course was continuously monitored etc etc. My doula turned up in the middle of the night, was a wonderful, calming, supportive person throughout, and was the only person who seemed to care about me after the birth when DS had been whisked off to SCBU. She got me the birth closest to what I wanted (tricky under the circumstances), and was just generally what I needed.

Yes - im in carmarthenshire and have already sorted out my doula but hypothetically yes. Definitely becoming more popular but I think you would have to be prepared to travel as its quite a difficult area to be self employed in eg not lots of mums nor lots of money when compared to somewhere like London. What I have also found is that in more rural areas people tend to be closer to their families and have their mum more involved...do you get what I mean?

But yes I think its a fab idea!

xx

I replied on another thread, but yes I would highly recommend you going for it sarah733. I am a doula and I don't even know why they call it 'work' when it is such a priveldge and honour to be with a mummy at such a special time in her life. It's just such a pity that I have to charge for my services as passion doesn't pay bills.

Ahh thank you so much for all of your messages they have been so encouraging! I know that when i had my second daughter, the community midwife would deliver your baby but i think that has stopped now and its just a random midwife from the hospital ward that you have never met that delivers! So the thought of some one i know with me encouraging me whilst with the random midwife is what is guiding me to follow being a doula as a career option! A big sigh!! That was a lot to think of and type!
If there are any more out there with any more comments they would be much appreciated!
Thanks x x x

I have less and less confidence in the midwife team here and am seriously considering hiring a doula. I'm not in Pembrokeshire either, though.

I wanted a Doula for my second childs birth, but they werent aswell known and i couldnt find anyone close to me. Thats when I looked into becoming one and here I am, nrly 2 yrs later doing something wonderful and so rewarding.

Sarah733, If I can help in anyway PM/mail me.

(Evening Mars! )

xxx

Thank you hertsneessex, im gonna have a look at your website.
As i live in a rural area and not alot of people around here are aware of doulas i know that it would be slow in terms of making money but i know it would be very rewarding, when ever friends or familly members are pregnant/in labour i want to be involved and be 'a part of it', so im sure i will like the 'job'! Thinking in terms of family members being closer and having mothers at the birth etc is that because there is no other choice? Ummmm!!! (hmm) I do know that im giving it lots of thought and going to research it a lot! x x x

I would never ever even consider giving birth without a doula. That's how much I'd recommend one. I'm the world's worst bore on the subject of doulas.

Sarah - I probably wouldn't now as I feel quite confident during labour these days but it would have been great first time round if I'd known such people existed!

I was seriously thinking about it back in the New Year and Marslady kindly offered much great advice . But my job has taken off and atm is OK (and secure again) and I realised I simply couldn't afford to just chuck my job in . But it's going to be my first choice when/if I do get made redundant or DH suddenly starts earning proper money.

Hertneessex- your website is great, you provide alot, umm not too sure that i would be able to provide any thing like that! How did you learn all that stuff?

OrmIrian- So did you consider becoming a doula then? What changed your mind? I you dont mind me asking, what job do you do?

I cant believe that so many people on this website have heard and recommend doulas, its brill!!

x x x