Doula in San Diego??

[HappyMamaBeth]

I'm thinking I need to hire a doula for my delivery.  Technically I would need her for labor/birth, but she would likely be there more for my kids than anything.  I am delivering at UCSD Birth Center (at least that's the plan!) and I hope to utilize one of their volunteer doulas for birth, but I don't have ANY family in the area that can be there for my 8 year old daughter and 5 year old son.  I have a few friends, but they may not be able to drop everything (they also have kids) if their spouse isn't home, etc., so I don't want to depend on them.

Does anyone have a doula they would recommend (I am due May 9).  Also, how much should I expect to pay??  I have NO idea how much doulas "run" in this area.

Thank you so much!

[firewoman]

You could check out San Diego BIrth Resource Network.  A friend and also a doula I used for my birth is Rosie Peterson.  She is a lovely woman and used to be one of the volunteer doulas at UCSD.  I'm not sure if she is still working there.  I'm not really sure what the rates for a doula are right now so you would have to talk to them to figure that out.

http://www.birthresourcenetwork.org/providers-section/doulas/doulas