Researching labor doulas in the Chattanooga Area

[DixieFlower]

I am 31 and currently in my first pregnancy. Due to me being a live in companion with Orange Grove Center I will be unable to do a home birth so my next ideal would be to use Woman's East and have a doula. Also while I enjoy my job it doesn't bring in much in the way of income and DH is currently only able to find temp positions. So I would be looking for a low cost labor doula. I plan on having a as natural as possible birth at Woman's East. I also plan to breastfeed. I have finally convinced dh that a birth doula would not be replacing him during delivery now I just need to locate one. Any information would be great. Thanks.

EDD Feb 13 2009

[ShyDaisi]

Hi! I do not know of any doulas in particular, but I went to the Women's Wellness and Maternity Center in Madisonville, TN, which is about 45 minutes or so from Women's East. They do have contact with some doulas and I did an alternative birthing class with them. You could contact them about locating someone and maybe even look in to going there. I headed in that direction when my labor started and was there well before I needed to be. I didn't end up birthing there as my son decided he didn't want to come out that way, but the midwives there were great. Hope that helps! PM me if you need any more info!

[Rachel J.]

DixieFlower, another mama and I have just started BirthArts birth doula certification and are looking for births to attend for training at a reduced fee. PM me if you'd like additional information or to get in contact.

-Rachel

[sewaneecook]

There's a local yahoo group for all things birth related in Chattanooga:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MMBirthN/

You'll find a lot of great info on doulas and midwives there.

Like the first poster, I went to the birth center in Madisonville with DS. The midwives are AMAZING and it was as close to having a home birth as could be without being home. If you decide to use Rachel (the previous poster) for a doula, I can vouch for her being super nice! Hi Rachel!

[DixieFlower]

Thanks for all the response. I have found a doula that hubby and I are very comfortable with.