Hiring a doula!

[allismom]

Hi ladies. I think I am hiring a doula for my delivery! With my first pregnancy I just didn't see the need for one and I thought hubby could do it all. And he and I did just great. I birthed in the hospital and the delivery was very fast and smooth.

This time around I got to thinking that if the delivery is as fast (or faster, as is quite probable), and if DH is at work, then he'll miss the whole thing. He works 2 hours away. I don't want to go through it alone :(

So I asked my LLL for any doula referrals and 2 ladies named the same woman. I spoke with her on the phone yesterday and she explained all that she does. I am going to talk to my midwife about her at my appt next week too and see what she says. At this point though, I figure what do I have to lose? Onlly $350 and probably a lot to gain!

Hubby is supportive of it and doesn't feel displaced by my wanting one. Even if he is at the delivery (I hope so) I think just having her for ideas on ways to cope with pain (they had me on my back the whole time before and I tore...) will be wonderful. I also want to be prepared just in case this labor ISN'T as quick as the first.

Just wanted to share........I'm kind of excited to meet her!

[zoe398]

Congratulations! May your birth and baby be blessed.

Doulas rock! :thumb

[doulajulief]

The coolest thing about doulas (IMO) is that they work for the mom and not the hospital. It's great to have someone that is knowledgeable and completely on your side separate from hospital protocols.

Julie F

[ColoradoMama]

We had a doula with #2 and she was awesome! I can't tell you how glad we were that she was there with us. I went into labor 17 days early, so my parents were there yet. It was only a 5 1/2 hour labor and dd was just over 2. She was a God-send, let me tell you! :)

[Jilian]

I'm a doula and didn't have a doula at my birth. I just didn't research it and like you, figured hubby could do it all. The birth went well, but I KNOW I would have been more confident and had a better experience if a doula was there. I'll defenitely have a doula if I have another child. :love I hope your birth goes great!

[KimProbable]

I had a doula for my second delivery and it was awesome. I spent almost all of the contractions hanging off of DH's neck and my doula went around doing everything else that was needed (getting cool washcloths, putting on music, bringing ice chips etc.). I couldn't have done it without the two of them being my team.

Congrats to you on finding someone! It'll definitely be money well spent.

[allismom]

Glad I have you ladies to be happy for me. When I told the 'good news' to my mom, her response was "And WHY do you think you NEED one of those?"
Grrrrrrrr, I should not have even told her.

[RockStarMom]

Yay! I had a doula at my hospital birth and she was great- I don't know what I would have done without her. :)
Congrats!