What are the benfits/drawbacks of a doula?

[mommyscoming]

Hello all. It has been a long time since I have been here. Anyway, I am pregnant and starting to think of all that birthing stuff again.

This time I switched from a doctor to a midwife and I am very pleased. However, after the last birth when I felt that my views and wants were not taken into account at the hospital, I am wondering about hiring a doula.

Could someone please share with me what a doula actually does and any benefits or drawbacks she has experienced in having a doula? I really want to know if this is something I should pursue and I thought you ladies would be the best to ask.

Thanks in advance!

[smittenmom]

I was SO happy that I hired a doula. I will never regret it. I think everyone should have one.

So, what did she do? Specifically, she suggested different positions and movements to keep my labor progressing, reminded me to go to the bathroom every hour, kept me hydrated by putting a glass of water to my lips every few minutes, helped to stretch my perineum by holding a warm ginger compress to it, asked the nurse to hold the monitors on my belly without the belt so I wouldn't be tied to the machines, reminded my doctor that I didn't want an episiotomy, and gave me constant praise and encouragement.

All of that let me concentrate on the work of having a baby. Knowing that I was taken care of, and that there was someone there to enforce my wishes, allowed me to completely relax in the situation. I didn't have to ask or answer any questions, or worry about what was happening on the other side of the room. It was wonderful. I can't think of a single drawback.

As far as not having your wishes taken into account with your last birth, I think a doula could really help with that by being a strong advocate for you. When you're in labor, you're in no position to argue with nurses or doctors, so that's when a doula comes in handy!

[mommajuicer]

Hi

We had a doula with our second birth. My husband said he would never have a baby without one. Not that he could ever have a baby but you know what I mean.
I know that 2 births are never alike but the one with the doula
was so much easier.
Our doula after the birth went out in the waiting room keeping the
grand parents at bay. So our daughter could met her little brother alone.

She did whatever was important to us.
elaine

[DoulaSarah]

There are soooo many reasons to having a doula attend you in your labor and birth. I will recomend to you to come to a childbirth collective night on the intro to doula support where we will talk about all of those questions that you have and answer them!
www.childbirthcollective.org
You can also meet some great doulas and start the process of talking to them and talking to moms who have used a doula. I personally would never give birth without one. My doula was the glue that held my family together. She guided me and my man and whispered to me that all was ok and showed my husband where to touch me and brought my family together in supporting me. My husband was able to fully support me because she helped him to help me. I recommend a doula at all births! We are there to emotionally and physically support you for however long it takes. Help you to stay at home longer, help protect your space. Make suggestions on things to do...so much. Come to a meeting if you can. They are free and we have a lot of great topic nights.

[ozmummy]

I can't come up with a single drawback to having a doula... and I think there are way too many benefits to post them all.

Do, do, do, try and get to a Childbirth Collective Parent Topic Night. They are really wonderful meetings. My husband and I learned so much and it is a great way to meet a variety of doulas to find the one that is right for you (you want someone that you bond well with). I love taking my pregnant girlfriends to meetings too. I'm a CBC-groupie. :love I felt very empowered with the education I received from Parent Topic nights and my wonderful doula.

I had the GREATEST completely natural labor and delivery and I feel a huge reason is that I was able to put so much trust in my doula. We had a hospital birth and the nurses and the midwife were amazed at everything they learned from watching my doula!

Do you think I had a good doula experience.... giggle, giggle