Just found out I'm pregnant!

[MomInCalifornia]

And finally get to start planning my homebirth!!!

How soon after finding out you were pregnant did you start contacting MW's?

Also, if you had a home birth with a MW, did you still have a Doula?

Thanks!!!

[*solsticemama*]

Hi Sarah. It's Rose from our diaper party last year. I just happened to see your post while on the main forum page. blessings on your pregnancy and birth.

[sistermama]

Congratulations, Sarah!!! I actually found my midwife when I started trying to conceive ds, so I say, go ahead and start now. That way you know you have found someone that you really like. I didn't have a doula, my midwife and her partner did all the "doulaing." If I did choose to have a doula, I would make sure it was someone that my midwife knew and liked. It is so much more personal at home, that I wouldn't want mw to feel uncomfortable.

[Lisalee2]

Congratulations, Sarah!!! How exciting a new baby will be for you & your family. I contacted my midwife only a few weeks after I found out I was pregnant. I already knew we would use her for our births so we didn't have to look around. In your case, (I think you are still looking for someone), I would start as soon as you feel like it. It wouldn't hurt to get to know your midwife as much as possible.

Good luck and happy pregnancy & birth vibes to you. I had 2 homebirths and just loved, loved, loved every minute (okay, maybe not EVERY minute :LOL )

[georgia]

For me, a doula at a hb would be somewhat redundant, as doulas (at least in my area) act as a protector/go-between in the hospital. Many mws are quite capable in giving the doula-aspect during labor and birth....it just depends on the mw and what mama needs.

Congrats!

[2+twins]

Congratulations! I know that my midwifes are happy to have new mamas come as soon as they can. I actually waited until close to the 2nd trimester with my first (just because it took me a little while to interview and choose) and until the heartbeat was heard with the 2nd baby (I had had 2 m/c's in between so I didn't want to start paying until I knew this baby was alive - I had to pay out-of-pocket). I'd suggest you start interviewing midwifes asap so you don't feel rushed to find one that you really love. And in case they take very few mamas, you'll be more sure to get in.
I didn't hire a doula b/c I was going to be at home and didn't really feel I'd need one. Plus my midwife's assistant was a doula and midwifes do great doulaing anyway so it all would have been pretty redundant. I'm VERY independant though and I think this is why when I asked my midwife if I should get a doula (with my first pregnancy) they said they didn't feel I'd need one. They were right - I actually wanted no one to touch me, talk to me, etc. A doula would have helped grant these wishes in a hospital setting but it really wasn't necessary with a sensitive support team at home. Good luck and have fun!!!