Anyone used a doula

[narkymum]

How popular are they and how much would i be paying

Doulas are fab
DaisyMOO/Mars/Klaw/Lulumama are all Doulas that post on Mumsnet, and there's others besides.

this is DaisyMOO's site (and the baby is my youngest!)

this is Mars' site

and this is Doula UK which will tell you all you need to know

(and I'd throughly recommend having one!)

We had a doula when we had DD1, and she was fantastic - I wouldn't have been without her. Think it cost about 600 pounds from memory (this was 2.5 years ago), and DH has said more than once that it was the best 600 quid we've spent (think she took the pressure off him a bit in the delivery room - he was comforted by the fact that we had someone with us the whole time who knew exactly what was going on. So was I, for that matter!). We were especially grateful to have her there as DD had to go to SCBU, so DH was able to go with her without worrying that I would be left alone. She made sure that my birth plan was followed as far as possible given the circumstances, and explained the implications of any choices we made where we had several alternative paths we could take. She actually knew as much (if not more) than the midwives, and one of the midwives said she learned something from her!

For the money we got 2 ante natal visits (actually 3, as she visited for about 2 hours when I interviewed her), she was available on the phone and email whenever I needed to speak to her, then she was on call from 2 weeks before my due date (but would have come if DD was early). As soon as I was told I was going to be induced that afternoon, she came straight into the hospital for my meeting with the consultant, then she left for a while, and came back when they broke my waters. We also had 2 ante natal visits, and she was available on the phone if needed (and called me a few times to see how I was getting on after I got home).

Thoroughly recommend having a doula!

Markymum,

Where abouts are you?

take a look on www.doula.org.uk then go to find a doula.

cost depends on whether you want a trainee or a recognised doula.

Cx

I paid about £300 and she was wonderful.

lulumama's site if you asre in the north west I am having her when I get pg!