Doula at Glendale Adventist (Los Angeles)

[kelantan]

I am almost 9 weeks pregnant and I am looking for a doula for September to deliver at Glendale Adventist with Dr. Wu. I am a VBAC (though i did have a successful VBAC last time around with ds2). I would love someone familiar with Glendale Adventist and Dr. Wu. 

I will wave any Continuous Fetal Monitoring. I plan to resist (as hard as i can) an IV. (anyone with experience with no IV at Glendale Adventist?) I want a natural birth. Lots of movement. Skin to skin immediately after birth. No bath. No drops or shots. Etc. Standard Mothering type stuff ;)

But i need someone VERY outspoken. Any recommendations would really really help! Thank you!

[doulasteph]

Hi there!  

I'm sure that Tracy Hartley at BEST Doulas has experience there and with Dr. Wu, or can refer you to someone.   She is pretty pricey, I think around $1,500 or more, but VERY experienced, and an amazing doula.  If you can afford her, she is worth every penny!  She's got all sorts of tricks up her sleeve for helping you get what you want!  And as I said, if not, she may be able to refer you to someone else.

You can also search for doulas in your zipcode on the Doulas Association of Southern California Website (DASC) at www.dascdoulas.org.  I know that plenty of our doulas in that area have experience with Dr. Wu, and I'm sure you can find one to fit your needs.

Good luck and best wishes to you!!

Stephanie Knol

[miriam]

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Edited by miriam - 5/26/12 at 11:07pm

[nicoler126]

I'm also due in September and recently met with Dr. Wu.  From my conversation with him, I understand that he insists on having a lot of things in place for a VBAC...epidural, IV, fetal monitor, etc.  He told me he has a recipe and these are the ingredients.  Perhaps because you've already had one, his protocol for you may be different?   I had my first birth and c/s at Adventist and it's a nice hospital, but they pressured me to do all things conventional because it was an induction.  Even with a great doula, I nearly lost my mind. I can only imagine the pressure is on with a VBAC.  My plan this time was to hire a midwife to labor with and monitor me at home and not show up until practically pushing so I could avoid most of his interventions.   But I've realized it's more stress than I can handle and am now looking for a more supportive environment in general so neither my doula nor I have to spend so much energy fighting hospital protocol.  That said, Dr. Wu is a great believer in vaginal birth and his VBAC success rate is very high, so you're in good hands no matter what.   Good luck...I hope it all works out in your favor!