What would you personally use a postnatal doula for?

[soozy87]

If she will do over nights I would use her for that, especially if your husband will be away overnight soon.

[Deleted]

Overnights. Totally overnights.

[celiacmom]

Id have her come today to help with nursing.

[gibbinator]

Oh if she'll do overnights I'd definitely do one of those while your h was gone.

[water*drop]

Definitely overnights. If she won't do that, I'd see if she can come for a couple of hours periodically so I could take a long shower and have a little bit of me time...preferably during the witching hour once that starts.

[badtzmaru22]

Holding the baby while I slept.
Telling my MIL to go F off.

[niq]

Overnights.

Shooing away unwanted guests.

[usuallylurking]

May 28, 2016 9:58:25 GMT -5 celiacmom said:

Id have her come today to help with nursing.

Based on your post last night, I agree with this. I'm not sure when you LC is scheduled to come in this next week, but the earlier the better with breastfeeding help.

[lolo]

For you, BFing and sleep help. It sounds like you don't feel comfortable with your H helping on nights before he travels, so what about one of those nights or even evenings?

Also, emotional support was HUGE for me in those early days. Just having someone look into my crazed eyes and say, you are doing great--that was SO helpful. (Can you tell that words of affirmation is my love language?)

[awkwardpenguin]

I would have her come and tell me I'm doing a good job. Seriously, I'd have her come in a few days an answer any questions you have, provide emotional support, hold the baby while I showered, whatever. But I'm a weirdo and didn't mind the sleep deprivation or overnight care when DD was a newborn.

Breastfeeding help. You can never have too much breastfeeding help.

If you're into babywearing and she's experienced, I'd learn how to use whatever newborn appropriate carriers you have, including how to nurse in them.

[meltoine]

Cleaning. Laundry. Hand off the baby and take a nap. Take a shower.

[namasteak]

-nursing help
-light housework
-grocery store trips
-overnights
-help with older kids
-watch baby so you and your h can rest

[namasteak]

In case she doesn't know a lot about wrapping: m.youtube.com/user/Bikerbaby2011

She could also watch one with you and help you figure it out.

[pooh8402]

Hold the baby while I slept or showered. Make me food.

[thebreakfastclub]

I'd want my money refunded.

[boiler717]

I'd have her come ASAP to help with BFing and emotional support. Then maybe some overnight help when your spouse travels.

[curbsideprophet]

May 28, 2016 11:55:02 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

I'd want my money refunded.

Given the birth story post, it did not sound like the doula's fault. It seemed like there were various opportunities to call and they chose not to. At a minimum she should/could have been called once they decided to leave for the hospital.

[celiacmom]

May 28, 2016 12:41:41 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

May 28, 2016 11:55:02 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

I'd want my money refunded.

Given the birth story post, it did not sound like the doula's fault. It seemed like there were various opportunities to call and they chose not to. At a minimum she should/could have been called once they decided to leave for the hospital.

I agree. I think it's actually very generous that the doula is offering services in place of the birth

[Deleted]

I would want someone to go pick me up Thai Food & then watch the baby while I showered & slept.

[anna7602]

My doula ordered my pump for me and dealt with some other bureaucratic insurance calls as part of one of her post-partum visits.

I agree with pp that it's very generous of her to offer more post-partum help.

[thebreakfastclub]

May 28, 2016 12:41:41 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

May 28, 2016 11:55:02 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

I'd want my money refunded.

Given the birth story post, it did not sound like the doula's fault. It seemed like there were various opportunities to call and they chose not to. At a minimum she should/could have been called once they decided to leave for the hospital.

I am not sure how much is fair for a refund, but I can't think of ways to utilize hundreds of dollars of post partum services. I'd want half my money back probably.

[celiacmom]

Does she normally do post partum doula stuff? If so I don't think overnight is unreasonable.

[namasteak]

May 28, 2016 13:55:34 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

May 28, 2016 12:41:41 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Given the birth story post, it did not sound like the doula's fault. It seemed like there were various opportunities to call and they chose not to. At a minimum she should/could have been called once they decided to leave for the hospital.

I am not sure how much is fair for a refund, but I can't think of ways to utilize hundreds of dollars of post partum services. I'd want half my money back probably.

Post partum Doulas charge approximately $20/hour and often more if it is overnight. It would not be hard to spend several hundred dollars.

The doula probably had something in her contract about this situation. Both doulas I have used did and most in my training program do as well.

[meltoine]

May 28, 2016 15:14:35 GMT -5 namasteak said:

May 28, 2016 13:55:34 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

I am not sure how much is fair for a refund, but I can't think of ways to utilize hundreds of dollars of post partum services. I'd want half my money back probably.

Post partum Doulas charge approximately $20/hour and often more if it is overnight. It would not be hard to spend several hundred dollars.

My agency charges $40 and we're not even HCOL.

[thebreakfastclub]

May 28, 2016 15:14:35 GMT -5 namasteak said:

May 28, 2016 13:55:34 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

I am not sure how much is fair for a refund, but I can't think of ways to utilize hundreds of dollars of post partum services. I'd want half my money back probably.

Post partum Doulas charge approximately $20/hour and often more if it is overnight. It would not be hard to spend several hundred dollars.

The doula probably had something in her contract about this situation. Both doulas I have used did and most in my training program do as well.

It would have been hard for me to use it, because I would not want this near stranger making conversation with me in my house, lol.

[namasteak]

May 28, 2016 15:28:07 GMT -5 thebreakfastclub said:

May 28, 2016 15:14:35 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Post partum Doulas charge approximately $20/hour and often more if it is overnight. It would not be hard to spend several hundred dollars.

The doula probably had something in her contract about this situation. Both doulas I have used did and most in my training program do as well.

It would have been hard for me to use it, because I would not want this near stranger making conversation with me in my house, lol.

I see what you are saying now.