Has Anyone Used a Doula During Labor and Delivery?

Updated on March 02, 2009
M.A. asks from Apollo, PA
16 answers

I am thinking of hiring a doula to assist with the labor and delivery of our second baby. I have a reputable doula service picked out and they have sent me their contract to review. It's a big decision, since the fee is kind of pricey (starting at $350 plus expenses and gratuity). That amount of money would be dear to us, but it is also very important to me to have a good experience at the hospital. Has anyone had a doula attend the birth of their children? I'd like to hear about good and bad experiences and how much having a doula did or did not help you. We are hoping for a natural birth, did having a doula help you achieve that? Thanks for your input!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for your responses, everyone! The contract they sent me specifically said that bonuses are accepted and appreciated, so that's why I was including gratuity in the cost. I still feel undecided about hiring a doula, but at least now I have some more information! Thanks for your help!

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T.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

GO FOR IT. I had one and would do it again (escept that i am too old now) i ended up having a c-section and she was great.
good luck
T.

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J.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

Oh M.! Having a doula is the best thing you can do for your labor experience. Also taking a birthing class - such as the bradley method or birthchoices. It is empowering. My doula and instructor taught me how to handle my births and it was the best thing because my my labors were so fast that my doula missed my first one (though i used what she and i discussed) and my second one came so fast that even my midwife missed this one - i gave birth and caught my son by myself. Had i not had the guidence of my doula and midwife i would have not been able to handle the situations that occured by myself. It is the best investment that you can make. Well worth it! You will not be disappointed.

Best of luck!
J.

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S.C.

answers from Allentown on

It's a personal decision but for me was completely worth it. My first child I did not have a doula, and after 21 hours of labor (which was induced), I ended up with a c-section. I had a healthy baby and that's all that really mattered.

For my 2nd pregnancy, I changed from a doctor group to midwives (my previous dr was no longer doing births) and hired a doula. My husband was not sure the doula was necessary but after the birth of our daughter, he said she was sooo worth the expense! I think it depends what you want and the staff where you deliver.

My first child was born at LVH, which is a teaching hospital. I was not given a lot of information and had many residents check me for dialation only to be told later by my doctor that I was not as far along as I previously told. My husband and I were on our own to deal with my labor pains.

For my second birth, we chose Sacred Heart Hospital (we were going to a different hospital but was told nearer to my due date that they were having to double book rooms so we changed hospitals). The midwives and doula was with me throughout the entire experience (all 22 hours of it!). There was always someone with me offer another position to try to make me more comfortable throughout my labor. The doula came to our house and helped my until we were ready to go to the hospital. My husband got a little "rest" during the delivery because I had someone else there with me too. It took a lot of "pressure" off my husband and he could enjoy the birth experience more.

But what I liked best about the doula is I really feel she was a patient advocate. I knew what was going on at all times and what decisions had to be made. I also think that without the doula and midwives, the doctors in the hospital would not have let me labor for so long and would have ordered a c-section.

I am so glad I had a doula and would recommend a doula to anyone else giving birth.

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S.K.

answers from Lancaster on

Both of my daughters were delivered at LGH Women & Babies Hospital and I did not use a doula or a midwife for either birth. The nurses there are wonderful and I couldn't have asked for a better experience either time. Both of my babies were born naturally, so you can do it without a doula or midwife. I was never pressured to take pain medication and my decisions were always respected by the nurses and my doctor. If you don't want to shell out the money for a doula, just make sure you have a birth plan and ask for help from your nurses. You're paying for that service anyway! Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from Scranton on

I had a doula with me during both births. The first birth my doula was in training and all i did was give her $100.00 I was endused and she stayed overnight with me, i sent my husband home to get some sleep, my contractions started at around 3 am, and she was right there to help me thru them. my husband came around 8am, and i didnt have the baby till 4pm. I did have a c-section and she came in the room with me then too. (it was not a emergancy section tho. it was by choice.) and my second birth (same doula) I went into false labor 1 week before bue date, she was there with me. and i called her with any questions throught my pregancy. i had a schedued c-section and she came in the room with me then too. It was wonderful. and I will have her for my next birth as well.

D.S.

answers from Allentown on

Hi M.,

Doula's are a great asset in helping with labor and delivery.

If you are having her in the hospital, you need to see what the hospital requirements are.

There is a doula association. I think the gratuity is not an expense that she should include. A flat fee would seem reasonable.

Check the web for doula association and interview your doula before you hire one. Personalities make a difference in support.

Good luck. All the best. D.

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C.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi!
I've never used a doula because of the expense, although I thought about it during my 2nd pregnancy. I had a disatisfying birth with my first child. I felt like they pushed the epidural on me and didn't help me through the natural labor I wanted. When I got pregnant with my 2nd, I read a lot about going natural and was determined to do it! I'm happy to say that I was able to. My trick was to stay home as long as possible before going to the hospital. When I finally walked through the hospital doors, she was born 12 minutes after I entered the hospital! I hopped up on the birth table and 4 minutes later she was out! The last 30 minutes was really intense (contraction wise). I probably would've asked for something if I had been at the hospital. Having no choice about meds helped me tremendously. :) I felt great afterward and so proud of myself!

C.
http://daisyandpear.blogspot.como

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B.S.

answers from Scranton on

I used a doula and it was wonderful!!!! She also happens to be my massage therapist. My friend came too, who had three babies. They were both a big help! I don't know if I would have done it without them. I however didn't spend that kind of money. Maybe just having someone there that has been through it that knows what you're going through and what you'll need.
Good luck!!

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G.A.

answers from Allentown on

I had a doula at my birth and her presence was invaluable. My husband is great, but he's never given birth and had no idea what I was going through or needed. She coached him to help me in ways that our 10 week birthing class never taught him. She coached me in ways that birthing class didn't too!

I didn't have a completely natural birth as I had wanted, but she knew what we wanted before we started and she helped me achieve that. After many hours of late-stage labour with little progression, I took an epidural for 6 hours that allowed me to rest enough to deliver naturally after the epidural wore off. If I worked for all that time without progressing, I would have been too exhausted to push (for three hours) at the end and probably would have been sectioned.

I'm quite sure that I wouldn't have made those decisions or had that foresight in the moment, but her 200+ births gave her insight I didn't have. Her being there gave me great confidence. I already know that if I get pregnant I would use her again because no two births are the same and I would want her wisdom and calm presence again. My husband said he would want her again too, because she provided all the same for him and was a second set of hands when he needed to move the car/go to the bathroom/take a break.

She was expensive, but well worth it, especially since I didn't have an easy birth and could never have foreseen that. The birth experience was quite important to me and she was integral to knowing I did everything I could to achieve my goals. I was 39 when I had my son and knew that it might be my only birth experience.

If you do decide to use a doula, make sure the contract is sound and makes sense to you. Gratuity seems a little odd to me, flat fee is more of what I heard when I was shopping around. The DONA (Doulas of North America) website is a good place to start.

Best to you and Happy Birthing!

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L.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I used a doula for both of my children's births - need I say more! I found a doula who was certified in Hypnobirthing and had the births I dreamed of having both times. My children were born alert and ready to nurse. I also had amazing obstetricians who knew I wanted to have natural childbirth, and despite a little scare with my first child, was able to deliver naturally both times. I did deliver in a very high tech hospital, jus tin case there were any complications, and I was quite the star patient! The key was the relaxation and self-hypnosis learned through the Hypnobirthing classes. I would recommend you find a doula who teaches you Hypnobirthing or relaxation techniques, so that you are prepared for delivery. Remaining relaxed and letting your body do what is is designed to do is one of the most powerful experiences a woman can have. I wish you the best!

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C.D.

answers from Altoona on

Hi! So glad you're looking into it. Our daughter is the same age as your first. I gave birth at a birth center in Phoenix, so they were already thinking natural. Most doulas (at least out there) will accept whatever you will offer. The price they ask is just suggested, because they think everyone should be able to have a doula. It was very helpful to have her, and we are still in touch. She took photos, massaged, was very intuitive to what I needed when I couldn't speak, and helped my husband help me. The birth was entirely natural.

T.C.

answers from York on

This is just my opinion - I have never used a doula (although I had a midwife for both of my pregnanacies) but three of my close friends have . . . .If this was your first child I would say go for it, but seeing how it is your second I would suggest that you save your money. I wanted a natural birth with my first child. I had a mid wife, every one was on board I was doing well . . then after 31 hours of labor I ended up having an epidural. With my second child - she came so fast that by the time I got to the hospital she was already on her way. There was no time for ANY medication and I ended up getting my natural birth . . . :) Doulas can be nice but if you've gone through it once already you (more or less) know what to expect and if your husband is going to be there, having a doula there would just be an "added luxury / expense". A doula isn't going to do anything for you that your husband can't do. If he was there for the first birth he has just as much experince as most doulas anyway and he knows YOU alot more intimately and will be able to help you on a more personal level.
Again, just my opinion but of my three friends that used doulas for their first child, NONE of them used them for any of their other children . . .
Good luck and congratulations!
T. C.

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S.E.

answers from Allentown on

See now I didn't feel that I needed one. I had my best friend and my husband along w/my midwife. I labored at home until I couldn't speak thru a contraction and then went to the hospital. My 2nd was much easier and quicker. I took 8 wks of Bradley Method classes and had 2 natural births. I used a birthing stool w/my 2nd birth as I felt like gravity was on my side.

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J.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hi M.,

I used a doula for the birth of my son. Although I have to say I didn't realize I was supposed to give a tip. I definitely recommend it. The doula is the only person in the room who is there specifically for you. She is unbiased and there to support the mother and birthing family. She knows techniques that will help you to birth and she can give advice and recommendations as well as run errands so that you husband doesn't have to. I highly recommend it. In my case, I didn't end up with an unmedicated birth (although I tried very hard) and I ended up needed an emergency c-section in the end, but I am still thankful that I had my doula. The doula was able to go into the OR with us and she was with us from start to finish. She also made 2 follow-up visits - one while we were still in the hospital and one after we were at home. She was well worth it. Plus she wrote a story about my birth - and there were things that she recorded that I didn't remember or didn't know the time lines of because I was in the thick of everything. It was wonderful! Good luck!

J.

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I wish I had used O......my husband was golfing in South Carolina when my water broke!

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S.W.

answers from Harrisburg on

well i am a trained doula - not yet certified - still need 2-3 live births for certification through DONA - but I am very reasonably priced (almost nothing) if anyone is interested - please send me a line!!

S. w.

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