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Original poster

Would a doula mind my toddler while I go to hospital?

31 replies

Lagirl20 · 20/02/2024 16:59

I’m currently pregnant and we have no help whatsoever locally to look after our toddler when the time comes for me to give birth. I am trying to build relationships with local ad hoc baby sitters and nannies but there is no guarantee they’ll be available when I need them. If I hire a doula, could they support me in early labour at home and then switch to looking after my toddler while my husband goes to the hospital with me? This is the only option I can think of that guarantees my husband being at the birth with me and my toddler being looked after. Would love to hear from some doulas if this is OK or inappropriate. Thank you!

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MyZippyRedStork · 22/02/2024 14:24

I've been a doula for 8 years. I wouldn't consider this an inappropriate request at all. Loads of doulas work with toddlers when they are supporting families postnatally and many are dbs checked etc. It wouldn't be something that every doula would be willing to do but I don't think you'll have trouble finding one that would agree.

Sunshine9218 · 27/07/2024 22:44

pokebowls · 22/02/2024 12:13

I don't understand the role of a doula. Why would any women want a paid employee to accompany them during childbirth? I can not imagine why anyone would want this. I would want and indeed had my DH. He's my best friend and my biggest support in life. What possible reason would I want someone I barely know there. And really no matter how many times I met with her prior, she would essentially be some random person I'm paying.

You can have both, a doula knows a lot more about childbirth than a man! Designed to pick up the gap from midwives who are too busy to be 1:1 for entire labour (before pushing).

Sunshine9218 · 27/07/2024 22:45

My friend is a doula and I imagine she would do this. She's pretty flexible and accommodating to needs.

Blackeyedcat · 27/07/2024 22:49

@Lagirl20 can’t your husband take the kid to hospital with you when you’re in labour so you all go together ?

Kitkat1523 · 27/07/2024 23:18

Lagirl20 · 20/02/2024 16:59

I’m currently pregnant and we have no help whatsoever locally to look after our toddler when the time comes for me to give birth. I am trying to build relationships with local ad hoc baby sitters and nannies but there is no guarantee they’ll be available when I need them. If I hire a doula, could they support me in early labour at home and then switch to looking after my toddler while my husband goes to the hospital with me? This is the only option I can think of that guarantees my husband being at the birth with me and my toddler being looked after. Would love to hear from some doulas if this is OK or inappropriate. Thank you!

What about your friends?

SantasRubiksCube · 28/07/2024 21:04

Blackeyedcat · 27/07/2024 22:49

@Lagirl20 can’t your husband take the kid to hospital with you when you’re in labour so you all go together ?

I can't imagine any labour wards/rooms allowing this, it would be entirely inappropriate to have a small child in the room if something were to go wrong and a medical emergency happened, even if the child was rushed out the room I imagine it would be quite horrible for them to see their mum in that state

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