First homebirth with just a doula?

[DragonflyMom]

So I am having a lot of difficulty in locating a midwife who services my area, however there are plenty of doulas...

I am starting to consider using my insurance for all the normal pregnancy needs, ultrasounds,prenatal exams all that jazz and meanwhile getting to know and employing a doula who will assist with my eventual waterbirth at home.

Is this a bad idea for a first time mom, do I absolutely need a midwife to ensure safety and proper birthing?

Any advice or feedback is appreciated :)

[carriebft]

Doulas do not provide medical care; they support you emotionally and physically during labor and after. If you are looking for someone with the education to handle birth, emergency circumstances, newborn care, etc that would be a midwife or an OB. Have you tried posting in the tribal area about looking for a midwife in your area?

[DragonflyMom]

Yup, I have posted all over, called midwives outside of my area...everything short of moving to a more midwife populated area.

[sonshine_rae]

If that's what you 'want' to do...... then I'd advise you to spend as much time as possible reading up on 'UC' unassisted childbirth that is.. there is a forum dedicated to that here on mothering as well as other places on-line.

In other words your considering employing a labor 'coach' /doula but otherwise having a UC ? As was mentioned doulas cannot take the place of a midwife/doctor .. but they are great for their encouragement and guidance along the way. But if your plan is to go without a midwife.. then 'you' must become the midwife (and your DH)  and learn all about how to handle various birth situations.

Make sure you are upfront with the doula so she can decide if she's comfortable with that or not.  I know I was almost in a situation with my previous pregnancy where we would have considered that (and my doula agreed to it if necessary) but was able to finally get a midwife within the last two weeks before birth.. so we ended up having both midwife and doula present for our homebirth.

[Aliy]

be aware that a Doula may not want to attend your birth without having a birth professional. if they are registered or certified with an organization they may actualy be unable to attend you birth becasue of scope.

Now there are definalty first time moms who do a UC but you need to prepare yourself and you husband with how to take of any emergency. Just as with birthing in a hospital there are risks and you ned to be aware of them and know how to deal with it. It's not unreasonalbe just be educated.

I hope you can find a situation that is going to work for you.

As a doula in training myself I personally wouldn't attend a U/C, but that is my comfort level. I wuld be so worried something would go wrong.

And while I would try and help I hold no malpractice insurance or anything of that nature to protect myself from something going wrong and being blamed for it

[DragonflyMom]

Just wanted to let everyone know that thanks to a wonderful member on here I was able to locate and set up an appointment with a local midwife.

Im so excited, thanks for all the info and suggestions.

[OrlandoDoula]

Congrats on finding the midwife, and good luck with your homebirth!  

This is all good advice should you decide you want to try a U/C in the future.  It's also useful even if you are having a midwife, as being honest and finding out what your doula is comfortable with is very important either way.  ;)

[JudiAU]

Doulas provide support to the mother; they are not trained in managing labor or delivering babies. They are not cheap/lesser midwives. They have a different role. I would be very suspicous of a doula who agreed to your plan. Most of the doula-licensing organizations forbid it.

[KaisynsMom]

I live in Cincinnati and am looking for a midwife for my homebirth! I was also considering a U/C because it's near impossible to find a midwife here! Would you be willing to share your midwifes information?

[JudiAU]

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