I am in my 7th month of pregnancy and have decided that I would like to look into using the services of a Doula to help me ensure a natural childbirth. Is it too late? Or can a Doula help me just for labor and delivery?
Thanks,
Kelly
The word "doula" has come to mean someone who provides practical support to women around the time of childbirth. A birth doula is exactly what you're looking for. They typically have a couple of prenatal meetings in the last month of pregnancy and then are with you for the labor and delivery; they also often have a postpartum meeting to discuss the birth. A postpartum doula typically helps new moms after the birth, helping with comfort issues and breastfeeding, and also often helping with basic household tasks to help keep the household working during those first difficult days. (And it's common to confuse doulas and midwives. The difference is that you can become a doula in a weekend, but it takes the equivalent of a three-year program to become a midwife.)
I collect information about local "Meet the Doula" nights at:
http://www.gentlebirth.org/local/resources.html#MTDN
Good luck!
It's not too late. I had a Doula with both of my daughters & she was fabulous! Her website info is: www.sacramentodoula.com
She'll want to meet with you a few times before you are due, get aquainted, find out what "natural childbirth" means to you. Then when you go into labor - just give her a call & she'll follow you to the hospital, or meet you at your house to help you before you go.
Good luck with everything!
Yes. I had a doula just for labor and delivery. You can check out several through BABI (Bay Area Birth Information). I think they have a website: www.babi.org, or something like that. Best of luck to you!
Yes. You mostly need the doula for the childbirth. Are you having a home birth?
I had Melissa Dean for my labor & delivery of both of my boys. We collaborated on a birth plan document and she attended an OB visit with me to discuss it with my Dr. A copy of it was put into my chart so everyone in the L&D ward could read it(we also took copies with us to hand out if necessary). She was invaluable in both births and my husband and I recommend her highly. We delivered at Kaiser Santa Clara and it was the first time they'd had a doula present(2004). She has since been recommended throughout the OB office staff and attended multiple births there. Melissa can be reached at (408) 476-5985 or [email protected] and her website is http://www.alittlemiracle.com. With my 2nd baby we utilized her postpartum doula services as well... crucial when you've got an enerjetic & jealous toddler running around. She's the MaMa of four and a Godsend!
Stef :)
Hi Kelly -
We had a doula assist us in the birth of our 2nd son - back in May 2004. We met twice before my due date to get acquainted and talk about some of my desires and her suggestions, methods. Then when I went into labor, we called her and she met us at Good Samaritan Hospital. We were so glad to have her with us because I really wanted to have a natural childbirth - she was a tremendous help. A few days after the birth, she came by to visit as a follow up. Our doula was Maureen Jackson - she was teaching one of the prenatal classes at Good Sam. I think her website is Babies, Birth and Beyond. I can look for her number if you're interested. Some doulas book pretty far in advance but they often have colleagues that they can refer you to if they are not available on your due date.
Good luck!
I did not think that I would be strong enough to do a natural (drug-free) childbirth, even with my Doula. But, surprisingly I did! The birth of my son was such a wonderful experience, and I think a lot of it had to do with the support I had from my Doula. I highly recommend it and I don't think that it is too late!!!
Hi Kelly,
I used a Doula just for labor and delivery. She came once after I was home to check in on me. It was 8 years ago when I had my second child. I wish I had her for my first delivery too! She goes beyond a coach, a total advocate in the delivery room. She encouraged me to get into the bath to help relieve labor pains and was incredible at applying pressure on my back with a tennis ball. She also lit a fire under the nurse to get me in the que for the Anesthesiologist for the epideral.
I was sent to the hospital to induce labor, I called when I was leaving and as soon as I had my first contraction she was there ready to jump in. My husband appreciated her as well. She was great at including him at all times. I got her from Good Sam in Los Gatos. I belive she was an instructor from one of the birthing classes.
Good Luck and Congratulations!!!
Hi,
Congratulations! I believe you can. I had a doula for my second labor/delivery at the hospital. Although part of the services of what I paid for could've included all the prenatal visits, I decided not to do that with her since I was already doing all of that with my ob/gyn. You'll want to interview a few right away though. They might not even charge you full price since you're almost there. But you'll definitely want to go over your expectations, and they'll probably want to go over all kinds of stuff to help you (exercises, breathing techniques, etc.)
My doula was Veronica Wagner. She has tons of experience, but is a little pricier. She'll probably also try to convince you to have a homebirth (which is great if that's what you want!) Her number 408-395-7261 office, 408-319-0201 cell.
I also know of another doula Michelle Germaine [email protected] who was actually my Bradley class teacher. I never ended up interviewing her for this, but I heard from another who used her that she was very good, very low-pressure, and pretty reasonably price (less than half of the other gal).
Anyway, I'd be happy to tell you more of my personal experience of having a doula if you're interested. If this is your first birth, I'd recommend it. For me personally, I'm due in May (does that make me 7 months too?!!) and will not be having anyone else this time. But this is my third. Hope I have no regrets!
Take care, Faith
Yes. I've used a doula with both of my pregnancies (the last being twins this past December). You might try Blossom Birth Center in Palo Alto. They have a monthly event called, Meet the Doulas." You can attend this for free. Although, doulas tend to book pretty far in advance, but I'm pretty sure you can still find a good one that you connect with.
Having a doula at the birth really relieved my husband of the pressure of not knowing what to do. It was pretty scary for him. With the doula there, he felt confident to participate up to his comfort level. With her there, he was comfortable enough to cut the umbilical cord. For me, it was reassuring to have someone around who had tons of birth experience. I ended up having a totally natural birth, no drugs with my first daughter. With my twins, I had preeclampsia which brought other complications, but I was able to have both twins vaginally which was a great relief to me. I so did NOT want a c-section.
Good luck.
I wouldn't think it is too late. But I would talk to your doula, she would be the one to decide.
I had a doulah and it is not too late at all. I highly reccomend it. I used Diedre Lorenzo and she is FABULOUS! Tell her Sarah Nolan sent you, she really made my 24 hour labor something I could get through, and my husband loved her too, and he was very skeptical.
Here is her info. Good luck.
http://www.bundleofjoydoulacare.com/
Doulas (unless they are post-partum doulas) typically only work with you for labor and delivery, though, they will start communicating with you from 35-37 weeks to plan it out. You should be in touch with Journey Revington ([email protected]) or Diedre Lorenzo ([email protected])
http://dancingbirth.org
If they are busy, I am sure they can point you the right direction. It is never too late to plan the birth you want! Best of luck to you ~
PS- They will add lot's of value after the birth, too! Diedre showed me a fabulous way to bathe my newborn daughter and eight months later, bath time is her favorite time of the day and I credit Diedre because she showed me how to calmly and effectively bathe her and the association with relaxation and fun has stuck! Have your doula spend a few hours with you at home after your little star is born, too. It is worth it!
Not too late. Natural Resources in SF also has a "meet the doulas" event.
If you have taken any natural childbirth classes you might find having a doula a waste. My husband and I took Bradley classes and hired a doula and the doula sat on the couch and did not help at all... because we already knew what to do. I would recommend taking classes if you have time and using the money for help after the baby comes - that is when the real shock sets in :) Best of luck to you!
Kelly,
It is not too late. You can absolutely work with a Doula (I used doulas for the births of both my children and LOVED the experience). I think most people use them primarily for the birth itself, although sometimes doulas offer post-partum services as well. There are lots of doulas in the US (are you in the Bay Area, not sure from your post). I'll give you the website of Rachel Yellin - the wonderful San Francisco doula I used. Check her out at http://www.one-moon.com/. I'm sure she could recommend other ways to contact doulas. I know there is a national organization with a website, but I can't put my finger on their address at the moment.
Good luck with your journey!
- Christine
We worked with Joan Taylor for an unmedicated hospital birth in Oakland, and she was wonderful. We met with her several times before the birth and once after to talk about the experience, and a few months ago had her over for our son's first birthday party! I absolutely recommend using a doula if you can. I know Birthways in Berkeley has a doula info night but others have pointed to resources around the bay; not sure where you are. Best wishes to you!
I would think twice about a Doula. I have four children, 3 I had with Doctors and 1 I had a Doula. I was giving birth in the hospital and she didn't show up on time, didn't really help that much and the worse part was a got a terrible infection that put me back in the hospital and away from my daughter for 7 days. I used the Doula for my second child so the next 2 I used Doctors.
I don't want to scare you. I know many people that have perfectly wonderful experiences. I only tell you this because I chose a Doula because I thought I was going to have a blissful birth with the Doula and it did not turn out . I personally found the labor and delivery nurses in the hospital to be the kindest, gentlest women... what I hoping the Doula would be.
Just a thought,
Nicole
YES! You can definitely have a doula just for birth.
Check out Natural Resources on Valencia in San Francisco.
They have a whole referral system.
Good luck, a doula made all the difference in my first birth!