What do MNers think of Doulas? Has anyone had one?

[Picante]

I'm thinking very far ahead I know (am 9 weeks). Ideally I'd like a pre- and post-birth one as I struggled with breastfeeding last time.

Has anyone used one?

I've booked a trainee Doula.
Not sure what areas she covers (prob SW London) Are you anywhere near there?

I had a birth Doula - she was totally fantastic, and made a huge difference to me

First of all, Congratulations on your pregnancy.

there's a few of us on here.

Lulu
Klaw
Mars
Myself
Hertsnessex

I'm sure there are mors, one definately but her name escapes me at the moment.

What do you think you would beneift from having a Doula?

We offer support for you and your partner for the pregnancy, birth and afterwards. Some of us are breastfeeding councillors and some of us have taken further training. Most have successfully fed our own children.

We are not medically trained and cannot give medical advice, but we can provide you with all the information for you and your partner to make informed choices yourselves.

Support from a person who is someone other than your spouse is a very comforting thing. If you are confident, and feel safe with your birth partners, chances are that you will have a positive birth experience.

Is this your fist baby? I's a must to meet a couple of doulas as it's such a personal thing we are sharing with you, the connection must feel right for you and your partner. It wouldn't hurt to book up early, as we can get booked quite far ahead.

Hope some of this helps. x

turtle23 is a doula too. [lightbulb emoticon]

I had a birth doula. I wanted a VBAC after 2 csections and she helped me achieve that goal. She advised me to change hospital/consultant (as the one I was registered with is a bit scalpel happy) and gave me great advice. I went into labour before I had received the care plan the head of midwifery was meant to provide for my notes and my doula liaised with the MWs over this letting me get on with labouring.

When I was taken into theatre for forceps delivery she had them mute the lights and play some nice music to make the experience as natural and positive an experience as possible.

basically she was there advocating for both me and DH so we could concentrate on the important stuff, and supporting me with breathing etc.

she also made us tea and toast afterwards which was fantastic and helped me in getting DS latched on well.

I would really recommend it if you can afford it.

I am a Doula too

I'm sold! This is my first pg and I am pretty ignorant about babies so they sound a brilliant idea to me. I do hope there's one near(ish) to me.

look

here

lists all local Doulas.

also

here

hope this helps

Never used one, but am pretty sure there is research that shows having another woman around you when you give birth is beneficial, so I think a birth doula is very much worth considering if you can afford it.

I had one for my second birth as my first birth was awful. She was totally brilliant and we still meet for coffee occasionally. It really helped me trust my body and stop the fear that health care professionals tend to instil. it is not a life threatening operation (in most cases!) merely a natural process.

Oh thanks so much liahgen. No it's not my first, but ds was born under epidural and foreceps and dh much as he tried was a bit useless. I think my main reason is probably to succeed in breastfeeding - to get that initial support straight after birth.

I had a doula for my second birth too and think it's really worth doing - am quite shy about my body but found her very easy to have around and very reassuring.
Second what TDWP says about birth being a natural process and a doula helping reinforce this.

The nearest to me is 21 miles. Do you think they'll come that far?

21 miles? that's nothing, esp[ecially for a first baby.

I currently have ladies at 25 miles away and 40 miles away. Completely doable.

Where are you roughly?

Picante,

I used HertsNEssex and she was FANTASTIC.

I had an unusual pregnancy (didn't have it confirmed until 21 weeks) and birth (chose to have an El CS) and she was great at getting me ready, giving advice and just being there for me.

Obviously, it was unusual, as she wasn't there at the birth, but it was lovely having someone to talk to and keep me calm...

I didn't have a post natal doula. I did think about it, but I'm rather glad I didn't. It wouldn't have worked for me.

I had a birth doula for DS3 and she was great. The only slight drawback was that she was a smoker and although I thought I didn't mind, I actually found that in labour the smell of stale cigarette smoke made me feel a bit sick. But aside from that, she was fab and a big big help.

I had a doula as I wanted to have a vbac with ds2. I am the only person in 25 years of her being a doula that didn't ring her as they didn't really feel like her coming after all, even though she had been out the night before for a false alarm.

She was lovely, and really helped me through the pregnancy and I sort of regret not ringing her now but when it came to it I just felt really close to dh after having had a difficult few months and I felt like us being alone.

She was great about it and of course I still paid. I would hire one again though. I had a successful vbac and a lot of the confidence was support from her pre-labour.

Thing is Guadalupe she did her job well in giving you AND DH THE CONFIDENCE TO DO IT YOURSELVES. i'M SURE SHE WAS GENUINELY THRILLED WITH THE OUTCOME.

(sod it, sorry caps)

Being a Doula is about the parents, not us.

Yes, that's what she said. She had sensed the trouble between us during our meetings and had worried about it. When I told her I was a bit embarrassed but she was so pleased that things were better for us she said it was unusual but great.

lol at starlight.

Were you thinking about your post, and so had to come back and make sure we understood?