Q's for second timers about doulas

[thegreenbeagle]

If you used a doula (esp in a similar birth location) were you glad you did? Anyone feel it was a waste of $? How much did you pay (if that isn't too personal to ask)? Anything else you wish you knew before getting or not getting a doula?

I'm a first timer and thinking about hiring a doula. DH and I are taking a Bradley class and we're birthing at a birth center with CNMs. I keep going back and forth thinking that a doula would be awesome and that a doula wouldn't be all that necessary... maybe just have a friend around to help bring in refreshment etc. to DH and me.

[lrgs]

I'm currently in my second pregnancy and we had a Doula for our DD's birth. We are more then glad we hired her, she was awesome. Dh was a little hesitant at first because he saw that as "his job" and was worried about being replaced. Instead she really helped and supported him so he could be able to help and support me in the ways I needed it. Afterwards he said he was so thankful we hired her. It was awesome to have an extra set of hands to help........she would massage my back during contractions while I leaned on dh and swayed with him. I laboured for quite a few hours at home before going to hospital and it was nice to have her there for that as well. She also played a huge role helping us with breastfeeding and was there to help through the supplementation pushing at the hospital.

I think the cost of a doula varies but ours was $500 and that included 3 prenatal visits, the birth and a post partum visit.

[Mama2Bean]

I had a doula w/DD and I'm having one w/DD2 (wow! to type that!!) in May. I NEEDED her so, so much. She really helped me stay focused when it got hard. She talked to my DH, she did a lot. Mainly, she really helped me stay positive when the contractions really hurt. I feel like she was a huge reason why I had the great birth that I did. She was $400.

I am having another doula this time, for several reasons, though none personal. The original one is more money and is not available when I need her. My doula this time is $100 per 6 hrs which I think is pretty great.

However, we have a midwifery school here and I could get one for free if I wanted, I just really like this one. First year MW students doula for credit towards their education.

[summerforever1977]

I wasn't going to get a doula for my first birth, but the midwives I used had an apprentice who was a doula and sent her over early in my labor to act as doula and do internal checks, and she would let the other midwives know when it was time to come to my house. I cannot even tell you how wonderful this women was during my birth; she was the most important aspect of it since my hubby turned out to be a nervous wreck and utterly useless except in the capacity of acting as the doula's assistant.

She was so awesome and integral to my progression and comfort that I am using her for this birth. She is almost a midwife and can do internal checks so if she comes to my house instead of meeting me at the hospital she can tell when it's time to go. I definately think she is worth the money even though I do hypnobabies for preperation.

The most important thing is that you click and feel 100% comfortable with her.

I think cost varies by region. My doula is $1,200.00, and that is about the going rate in this area.

[Redheaded_Momma]

I would highly recommend hiring a doula. We used one with DS and she was a tremendous help. She even took pics (which DH never would have done) and wrote a beautiful birth story for me to have. IMO she was well worth the $500.

Now I doubt we'll be using one for DD in July b/c the MWs I will be using this time tend to be present during the entire labor and DH knows what to do (I hope )
Nikki

[porcelina]

I did not have a doula for my first birth for the same reasons it sounds like you think you might not need one. I thought, I'll be in the care of midwives, they will help me with suggestions on positions, etc. Wrong! While my midwife was excellent for the birth, she was not really a participant in the labor. We were left to do that on our own. She drew a bath for me in the jacuzzi tub twice, and that was about it. A doula is there entirely to help you get through labor, whatever it takes. I definitely plan to get one for my second birth! I basically crushed my husband's during labor, and that was all the comfort/support I got. I would have loved if someone had been there to help me with counter pressure through back labor, etc. Midwives are great for the birth, the baby, and having the two of you together afterwards, but don't expect them to cater to you throughout labor, which is the hardest part.

[lrgs]

I forgot to add.........I'm going to have a Doula this birth as well. I would absolutely love to have the same Doula I had with DD but we are moving about 5 hours away so I'm going to have to find another one.

[sanguine_speed]

I had a student doula with my first pregnancy. That pregnancy was overseen by an OB.

My second pregnancy, I had midwives and mistakenly believed I wouldn't need a doula because I'd have a midwife. SO, so wrong.

My third pregnancy, I had a doula. And I am so glad I did! I ended up with a transfer of care due to pProm and breech and needed that extra support even outside of labour (though she was great for that too!). It was equally helpful for my partner too.

This time we're having a doula again. I wouldn't be without one.

[matey]

I loved my doula. I had a hospital birth with my first, and also will with my second, and I would not dream about doing it without a doula. She knew som many things, tricks and techniques to ease the pain and to re-focus me. I love my dh, and think he is wonderful, but when I was having horrible back labor, she put pressure on my hips to make it easier and it really helped. She showed DH what to do so they could both do it. Without her, I would have just been in pain with a helpless dh.

I useda doula working on certification last time, and she was 250. This time I am using a certified doula, and she normally cost 500, but I am poor, so we get her for 250 due to a partnership the doula foundation has with WIC.

[tngirl11]

I had the same doula for both of my deliveries and definitely think it was the best decision ever. It's definitely much more of a must for a hospital delivery (which my first was). I seriously think she single-handedly saved me from all kinds of interventions, including a c-section! My second delivery was at a birthing center, but it was still awesome to have her there focusing on me, taking all the pressure off of DH, and reminding me of everything I learned in hypnobirthing class (she was my instructor too). This time around, I have decided not to hire a doula, only because the one that I used before is now a midwife instead of a doula, and the birthing center where I will deliver is very small, so the midwives are more available. I still wouldn't think of it as a waste of money at all, even if I used a doula again this time. I believe I paid about $300 for the birth and one follow-up visit.

[cali4niachef]

Originally Posted by porcelina

I did not have a doula for my first birth for the same reasons it sounds like you think you might not need one. I thought, I'll be in the care of midwives, they will help me with suggestions on positions, etc. Wrong! While my midwife was excellent for the birth, she was not really a participant in the labor. We were left to do that on our own. She drew a bath for me in the jacuzzi tub twice, and that was about it. A doula is there entirely to help you get through labor, whatever it takes. I definitely plan to get one for my second birth! I basically crushed my husband's during labor, and that was all the comfort/support I got. I would have loved if someone had been there to help me with counter pressure through back labor, etc. Midwives are great for the birth, the baby, and having the two of you together afterwards, but don't expect them to cater to you throughout labor, which is the hardest part.

Midwives and doulas serve very different roles. If you get transfered from home to hospital or birth center to hospital, or shift changes your midwife may not always be with you.

Doulas usually provide extra postpartum care included in their services. I do 2 PP visits and I still have clients calling me 6 months later with questions.

[azdaisy]

We did not have a doula with DS, and I think one would have really helped avoid the unnecessary c/s that resulted from all of the interventions. We are having a doula with this birth in June. Our MW said a really great thing about having a doula when working on a VBAC is the benefit of the doula helping during labor at home, keeping us from heading to the hospital too quickly. Our doula will be $500. After a lot of research on various doulas in our area, the average cost is $500, with pricing anywhere from $300-750. This price includes two prenatal visits for working on a birth plan and practicing pain relief techniques, the birth, and one postpartum visit.

Best of luck!

[BlackSheepPDX]

I did have a doula, and in retrospect it was overkill, with two midwives, an apprentice, and the doula.

By the time we realized this was the real deal as far as labor, I went quickly to 3-5 minute gaps between contractions, and by the time the doula got to our house, all she really did was say, yup, time to go to the birth center! So that killed reason #1 for having her....helping us labor at home and let us know when it was time to go. That turned out to be pretty obvious.

Reason #2 was to have someone dedicated to taking care of DH and backing him up if he was freaked out/tired/unable to give me what i needed for any reason. Turned out, he was a ROCK STAR, and I barely paid attention to anyone else in the room for most of the labor.

So, while I don't think it was a BAD choice for us to have a doula, she really didn't wind up helping very much, though she was an acupuncturist, and did some treatments to help get me started after I went past 41 weeks.

I think we paid $350, but I can't quite remember.

This time, I suspect we'll just go with our team of three.

[isras1]

As a doula, I am a huge supporter of our trade and the good we can do for families. Pregnant with my first, if my insurance ends up not covering homebirth, then I will Definitely have a doula for the hospital.

Originally Posted by cali4niachef

Midwives and doulas serve very different roles. If you get transfered from home to hospital or birth center to hospital, or shift changes your midwife may not always be with you.

Doulas usually provide extra postpartum care included in their services. I do 2 PP visits and I still have clients calling me 6 months later with questions.

To add to what PP stated... I worked at a free-standing birth center in the role of a doula. One of the midwives shared with me that she at times missed working as a doula (that's where she began) because her main focus was on the emotional and physical comfort of the mom. Of course, midwives are focused on that as well but they are also continually needing to switch from observing, assessing, diagnosing and reevaluating to tuning into the emotional/spiritual aspect of birth. Midwives need to focus on the medical/physical aspect of birth, keeping an eye open for early signs of complications and assessing how to prevent or manage. That midwife told me that it is difficult to switch from the analytical mind to the etheral energy of labor land, a doula stays in labor land with the client. I hope I made sense and good luck momma!

[organicpapayamama]

I used a doula for my first baby. She was amazing and Im so glad I hired her. I am in Los Angeles so the price for doulas are a bit higher then other areas. the average experienced doula starts roughly at $500-$1400 over here. There are new or in training doulas that will do it for much cheaper or free. I got an experienced doula that normally charges $600 but because I was going through such tough times (my first baby had just died the yr before, my husband left me when we found out we were pregnant again and I lost my job) she greatly reduced her fee and was able to barter for her services.

I am pregnant again and cant imagine giving birth without a doula. I am giving birth at the same location and have hired the same doula this time as well. I strongly recommend having a doula. doulas are amazing for both mother and partner. After having my doula support me the first time it actually inspired me to become a doula myself and pass on this great gift to others.