doula for a hb?

[MommytoTwo]

I totally do not intend on relying on DH for labor support, other than the occasional "youre doing great" ... I have an awesome mw but I am wondering if I should look for a doula as well... being an hba2c I have all sorts of "issues" to deal with and maybe I need all the help I can get? Plus she could always take pictures for me. What do you think?

[jazzharmony]

My midwife's assistant also happened to be a practicing doula and her support was wonderful. She was very warm and gentle and very much all about my comfort. She also took wonderful photos. She "came with the package" but I certainly think hiring one could only help, as long as you interview thoroughly and the person is a good fit.

[huggerwocky]

Do it, my husband is like yours and in hindishg tI wish someone had offered to put counterpressure on my back or give my husband a break who kept his hand there for more than an hour and complained about a hurting hand the next day

I'll have one for my next homebirth.

[velcromom]

I definitely want a doula for any future birth which will be hba2c too. My husband is sorta paralyzed by women stuff, so I intend to have a long list of "honey-do's" for him to work on while I labor - he has to be active - I honestly know his presence would be stressful for me since he is uncomfortable and fearful. Hoping talks with a midwife will help him, but I've already set aside a "doula fund" so I can get the support I need.

[Brown Lioness]

OH doulas take photos too?! I thought would be a misuse of their time so I was dreading having to invite someone i didnt want in there to photograph the labor and birth, lol.

[sebarnes]

I had a homebirth with dd, and I WISH I had hired a doula. DH is wonderful and supportive, but, despite having talked about it beforehand, he just didn't know what to DO! I was in no condition to direct him, so having a doula to help him help me would have been fabulous. We already have a doula lined up for this birth!

[jazzharmony]

Originally Posted by Brown Lioness

OH doulas take photos too?! I thought would be a misuse of their time so I was dreading having to invite someone i didnt want in there to photograph the labor and birth, lol.

Doulas will do whatever the client wants (obviously, within reason)

[MommytoTwo]

Whatever doula I get MUST take pics!!!! I have to document this event. lol (I am a photographer- pictures are very important to me)

[melamama]

I think you should totally get a doula.
I had one for my first hb, my dh is supportive, but I knew his talents ran more to getting everyone drinks, not rubbing my back.
Ours brought a suitcase full of great things--hot packs, aromatherapy, tons of cds. Plus she had her head together (when we totally didn't--in birthy land) and took excellent photos.

[jesscardona]

I'm all for having a doula! not just for taking pictures or for having a back massage but a doula will help in diffrent position changes, comfort measures, relaxation, etc.. I honestly wish I would of had a doula at my birth, most probably I wouldn't of had a c-section..b/c I didn't know much..

Well.. that's just my advice! eventhough I am a doula..I will still have a doula at my 2nd birth (I'm not preg.) since I will have a vbac.

[Gray's Mommy]

I wouldn't dream of birthing without a doula!! I need that extra support & while my DH is awesome, I want more women around me who have BTDT

[InstinctiveMama]

My doula is an integral part of my dream birth team. I cannot imagine not having her there. I heard through my local HB grapevine that my midwife is not always favorable to all doulas. Fortunately things are working out in my favor because my midwife and doula have already had a few successful birth together!

[butterflymum]

I've been trying to make a decison about this too. We had a doula present for our last two births (birth center & home) and she was wonderful. WE are having a homebirth again this time but with a different MW. When interviewing her I asked her how she felt about us hiring a doula to be present too. She paused for a while and then said, "well what am I there for then? I love to do labour support." I'm torn. I was hoping for a birth with fewer people there this time but so far it's me and DH, the two kids and my mum to look after them, the MW and her assistant (who's another MW).
On the other hand, I have switched to a mw who is new to me and the doula we would hire I've known and worked with for 6 years and trust immensly. We are very happy so far with our mw but I've never been at a birth with her so I don't really know what she's like at birth... I also don't want the mw to feel like we are undermining her in any way...

any thougths?

[sebarnes]

Frankly, I would be wary of any midwife who didn't fully support having a doula. At some point, no matter how wonderful and supportive a midwife is, they HAVE to be clinical. A doula will never have to do that.

[avasmom]

We are also going to start interviewing a doula for this coming homebirth. We just relocated and used the same incredible doula for our last two births so it's going to be hard to not have her with us this time.
I do think it was beneficial having her there as well as our midwife!