Using a Doula at Your Birth

Before the birth, my husband was very skeptical about the whole doula thing. He asked me, "don't you want me to support you?" And he really was hurt that I felt I needed more support than him.

After the birth? My husband is the biggest advocate for doulas you've ever met. He was EXHAUSTED from supporting me through my 13 hour labor, and if it hadn't been for the doula to give him a break, I would have had to do all the pushing on my own. The midwives and doctors aren't going to be there the whole time, so it's nice to have someone who is.

We delivered in a hospital, and I would HIGHLY recommend getting a doula. The most important advice I can give you is to interview a bunch of different doulas to see which one you are the most comfortable with - doulas come with all sorts of philosophies and approaches, and you should find someone who you are really comfortable with. And find out what their backup plan is, should they not be able to be there for the birth (due to whatever issues that may come up, or if another client is in labor at the same time)

hi - we used a doula for our first birth, 2 1/2 years ago, and are using the same one for our upcoming birth, in a few weeks. it's expensive - ours was $500, but the best $500 we've ever spent! she helped to keep me going the whole time and because of her i had a natural childbirth, and am so thankful for that. it wasn't even a question as to whether or not we'd use her again for our 2nd child. i highly recommend it!

I have been at 2 births where a doula was present and I would highly recommend one. They are the voice of encouragement and strength during labor and delivery. The doula is free to focus on only you and what you are going through when the midwife is delivering the baby.
No experience here with the post partum part.

It looks like you live in the Pioneer Valley also. Michelle Lesperance (sp?) from Warm Welcome Birth Services was with me at the birth of my third child. She works as a midwife and a doula and came along to our homebirth with our primary midwife to help out. She was absolutely lovely and I highly recommend her for both home and hospital deliveries. You can see her business information here on Mamasource at http://www.mamasource.com/business/14300932067242803201. Good luck!

Absolutely do it! My first was born in hospital with a doula, and despite being induced, I used no pain medications...it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The doula took away my fear and eased me and my birth team through it.

Second baby was born at home with two midwives, which was even better!

YES YES YES
My Doula Experience has been wonderful, and all the Doula's I have met before and since (except one, who never got a client for good reason) were WONDERFUL people who would do nothing but improve your Birth experience.
a person who you talk to over and over again before your birth starts, so that your actual wishes are followed when the time occures. They play sounding board, and Devils advocate, remind and support through out all of this
then provide a Detailed and (in my case) Poetic account of the experience.
I cannot recommend one more

E.

I strongly recommend a doula. Just 3 months ago I gave birth to my daughter and had a doula. She was absolutely wonderful. I had no pain medication and she deffinitely helped me through the pain and breathing. A doula deffinitely made my experience wonderful!

We used a doula, and I don't think I would ever deliver again without one. She was amazing, amazing, amazing. It was so helpful to have someone there who had attended so many births - she knew just what to say and do, she understood the medical jargon, she massaged my husband's shoulders to keep him calm. I was never alone, I was constantly massaged and soothed. She was a DJ, a waitress, a friend, a hand to squeeze. She gave my husband a break when he needed one, and I didnt' even notice he was gone for a few minutes, because, again, I was never alone.
Be sure the doula is DONA certified. Ours helped us write our birth plan, too.
Good luck to you!!

I had a doula at 2 out of 3 of my births, and I HIGHLY reccomend it!! But be careful.... really interview the person and don't be shy to call referrals..... my first one seemed great, but 1/2 through a very long labor, she got tired and was terrible! The nurse was better for me.... but my second one was WONDERFUL!! I don't know where you live, but if you are near the Dunstable, Tyngsboro, Chelmsford or Nashua area I can give you the name of my second doula.... I couldn't rave more about her!! Let me know if you want her name, good luck to you!!

I had a doula and it made all the difference for my son's birth. She helped me plan and get me ready and she was also a big help to my husband in that he could get a break. She helped me through the contractions and pain and helped me focus on having a beautiful birth. I highly reccommend it. I'd give you her name, but she is no longer doing it and has become a nurse.

My birth doula was AWESEOME! I am so glad that we decided to have her, I was able to have a natural childbirth and she helped my husband a TON! She was great at helping me use different labor positions, she would massage me where I needed it, she would comfort and calm me. We used her for the birth of our second child and I truly wish I had known more about a doula for my firt. It was a great experience and best of all I remember everything! With my first things were a little fuzzy and the birth experience was not great. She was also great Post Pardum, she came for a visit, helped me out with being sore, etc. I highly recommend a birth Doula! :)

For my first pregnancy I had a Doula and it was wonderful! Unfortunatly, my original Doula wasn't able to come to my birth because she had another delivery at the time BUT she sent me another Doula that was awesome. I wish that during my second labor I had one because I found her very helpful (for the first) and had a smooth drug free labor! I would strongly suggest one!

Yes, get a doula! So helpful. I loved mine. It was nice for DH to have her there too.

I wish I had hired a pp doula too. You definitely might benefit from one with those 5 boys at home.

I used a doula. I definitely recommend it. As a first time Mom I was really nervous about the whole birth and my doula helped alleviate any fears. We met with her several times prior to the birth of my daughter and she kept in touch after. Good luck!

i had a doula and loved it, these are the reason why:

1.you never know when you will go into labor, so i wouldn't necessarily know the dr on call
2. you never know how long you will be in labor so there is a good chance there will be shift changes
3. i wanted someone with me the entire time that was an advocate for me
4. i saw the business side of labor/delivery in hospitals i felt they just want you to stay in bed and induce you to get you in and out and my doula convinced the nurse to let me walk around
5. my doula helped me address contractions and try different positions in a more natural ways then the nurse
6. they also come to your house before you are admitted to the hospital so if there are any questions or concerns you have someone with you earlier then going to the hospital. even with all the classes out there is nothing like having a professional with you

My doula also came and helped us after the birth, which again was amazing. A doula takes care of the mom as well as the baby. She helped me with breast feeding, taught me how to care for the baby, swaddle, trim nails, first bath, reminded me to drink water, etc overall she made me and my husband more calm and relaxed. She came a couple times a week in 4 hours shifts which was a big help. Some will do errands or cook for you, but its also nice to have a neutral person that’s main job is to take care of babies. They work for you so I found less personality conflicts then moms or in-laws.