Contacted my doula

[kofduke]

I contacted the doula I used for DS's birth, and she's available again . She made such a huge difference with my labor, and I truly believe that her encouragement helped keep me from a c-section. Hopefully with this one I won't be lying on my side on mag sulfate + pit, so I'll get to use her even more effectively!

[kofduke]

Oh, and another big plus is that she left the agency she worked with before and is now on her own, so her fees are quite a bit less than the last time!

[StarCat]

Glad to hear you will have your doula again. My doula was one of the first people I told, too!! Mag is the worst....hope you don't have to go through it again. Do you have to do a hospital/dr. b/c you are high risk?

[kofduke]

Supposedly not, although I plan on discussing it with the midwives I'm interviewing. My b/p only skyrocketed and I only started spilling proteins after my water broke; and my dr said it's much more common in primaparas (although certainly not exclusive). I'm not comfortable at home because of what happened the last time, however.

[Geofizz]

Great news!

I "blame" my doula for getting through transition so easily I nearly delivered DD in the car on the way to the hospital. She was also a wonderful source of information on dealing with a lot of the prenatal testing issues. I struggle with physical pain in getting my blood pressure measured, so she helped a lot in dealing with nurses who insisted on pumping the stupid cuff up to 200 mm Hg, etc.

We are now 99% decided on the homebirth, where we'll have 2 midwives at the birth and likely a midwife apprentice. I think that's enough people in the house this time around.

[Spark]

I'm not thinking of a doula for birth, but I'm really strongly considering getting a post partum doula. Part of me is really concerned about the time of year our babies are coming. My DS was born Nov 28th and people were really busy with the holidays. We didnt' get much support at all. I felt REALLy hungry, abandoned and lost. I ended up with PPD and I'm pretty sure it was linked to time of year, hormones and not enough support.

With my DD her birth was in March and nothing much was going on. People brought food, came to visit, helped out, so supportive. Also, I had better coping mechanisms. But, I'm thinkking a postpartum doula would really help.

[Geofizz]

Interesting thought.

With DD my parents came for 10 days and did the laundry, cleaned the house top to bottom, cooked, did shopping and got out of our hair for several hours each day. My mom was also able to help with breastfeeding. I think that's a post-partum doula on steroids.

I guess this time around it will depend on when my family comes out.

I'm not sure what to do about my in-laws. I was able to say "not til 6 weeks," a rule my SIL put in place with her kids. It was a good thing, too, since my MIL's version of "helping" is making chocolate chip cookies. They're great cookies, but they aren't dinner. This time around, though, I know they'll want to come for Christmas, which is just way, way too close. Especially if that means we'll be with my BIL and his germy family.

Hmmm, something to ponder.

[*Amy*]

I can totally relate, Wendy. None of our family live close to us, so we're trying to work out when we will start having people up to visit. I'm sure my MIL would love to be in the fricking birthing tub with us, but I am going to hold her off until after Christmas if I have my way. My parents are coming in January, which seems just right. I would only want the closest of friends to come for Christmas (or at least that's how I feel now) but they all have their own lives and families (and babies due, like Littlemomma!), so it may just be me, DH, and baby.

It is kind of weird to have a child during the holiday season, and I hear what you're saying about PPD, Spark. Luckily DH will have like a month off and he's a damn good caregiver (and even reads the Mothering articles I ear-mark for him!), so I think that will help.

I don't talk to my mom (she's alcoholic and rather unstable, etc), and I don't have any sisters, so I have chosen to get a prenatal/labor doula and probably will have her do some postpartum stuff too. I'm really excited to start talking to some of them and find out who will be the best fit!

[Geofizz]

Oh, and if you come visit me before 6 weeks, you have to be willing to wash diapers

[Minnow_]

I'm actually hoping my parents will come around Christmas, even though that's very soon after birth. My dad is awesome with babies; he has an amazing ability to calm them, and to not be frazzled by crying. And my mom is one of those people who simply perceives what needs to be done, and does it. I can totally imagine her shopping and cooking without my even noticing it.

My brother, SIL, and their two kids live about an hour from us, so having my folks come out to our end of the country at Christmas would be really nice for them too.

My MIL is super nice and I get along great with her, but I haven't seen her in action around babies, so I can't imagine what it will be like when she visits.