Midwife and doula?

[mcacat]

Is anyone having a midwife and doula at their birth?  If so, what are the reasons for your choice?  We were not considering having a doula but really connected with our birthing class facilitator and are now considering hiring her for the birth.   My mom was at our first birth but she passed away shortly after and I can't shake the feeling that I will need and want some additional "mothering" at the birth this time around.

[librarymommy]

Crashing here, but saw your post. I had a doula for both my births. My midwife had an emergency transfer to a bigger hospital for DD's birth 3 years ago, and was away on vacation for this one. I had my OB, whom I absolutely love, very natural etc. but I could not have had a natural birth without my doula. My DH was wonderful, but my doula knew exactly what to do to keep me calm and things moving. I wholeheartedly recommend having one. Good luck with your birth!

[Ablemec]

We're doing a midwife and doula.  We love our midwife, but she's part of a practice and we may not get her for our birth.  We've met most of the midwives in the practice, love some of them and are ok with the others, but don't love them.  We were back and forth on the doula issue, but I suspect I'll be the kind of person that needs constant attention during birth, and so would benefit from having a dedicated support person.  DH is great, but is prone to freezing when he doesn't know what to do.  He gets most concerned about not making things worse.  So I think a doula will be supportive of me throughout, but will also help DH to be supportive.  

[1love4ever]

I'm having a midwife and most likely a doula.  I want a home birth for health, safety and comfort reasons and a midwife is naturally what I chose for that, I am not brave enough for UC yet:)   As far as my doula goes, she will be there unless she is in class, she is a nursing student and is in the same class as I was and if you miss a class or clinical day it is VERY bad so I would not expect her to miss because I was in labor, so hopefully she will not be in class when I need her!  I chose to have her there because she is very smart, she is my friend and she has many effective pain relief techniques.

[xakana]

Yes. I've done two births now--one with and one without a doula. I will NEVER do that myself again (not have a doula). The difference was that important. And I'm sick of OBs and more specifically, the hospitals.

[willsmomm]

I will be having a midwife and a doula. In the hospital I think having a doula is critical to be able to have the birth you want. At home (as we are doing) I want someone who can answer the door/phone, shuffle kids, take pictures, relieve my husband, fetch drinks and help me feel better. I plan to keep her busy. ;)

[Jaimee]

Please start and continue this thread on the Social Group so we don't lose it when the forum closes!  You can find the link to join the group at the top of the forum or click on the "Groups" tab on the navibar.  Thanks!