Did you hire a doula?

[Deleted]

If so what did you think. I am really seriously considering it. They have a program through my hospital but I think the doulas rotate and you arent assigned one until that day. I am also thinking about looking at private doulas and have contacted someone who is a doula in training to see if that would work for us.

So, if you hired a doula can you tell me about your experience? Was it worth the cost? If you didnt hire a doula do you wish you did?

[niki]

I considered it, but my husband assured me he was up for the job. He performed beautifully and I don't regret not hiring one. I do, however, think a lot of people could benefit from their services.

[Deleted]

I did hire a doula. She was $450, which included 3 prenatal meetings, the birth, a check at the hospital, and a check at home after a couple days.

I actually ended up birthing with my back-up doula that I had only met once. I think if my hospital offered doulas, I would just focus on writing a good birth plan and coaching DH a bit to communicate my wishes to the doula. I think Iris on the Natural Birth board on the bump was a hospital-supplied doula. If you want to find out more about what she did, page her over there.

We (DH and I) loved having a doula. It was entirely worth it to us. It kept us both much calmer and it helped DH know what to do. I think she helped me achieve the birth I wanted by keeping me home longer, keeping me positive and feeling like things were normal, and knowing how to help me cope with my OP baby.

I plan to rehire either one of them (the one I originally hired or the one that actually came for my birth) next time. It was our largest baby expense, but I think it was worth it.

[satsuma]

We hired a doula and were happy with her. My husband and she would tag team so at least someone got some sleep. She was also an awesome help during the rough transition to motherhood and came over to our house several times.

[gibbinator]

I considered it, but after meeting the nurses on the hospital tour, and the obs that would be on call, I decided it wasn't necessary. Our health district is pretty hippy dippy and the nurses basically do what a doula would as far as support - staying in the room with you the whole time (unless you want them gone), suggesting labour/pushing positions, helping with coping techniques etc. I was pretty frickin' impressed.
ETA: The epidural rate at my hospital is only like 35% and that includes those women getting sections

[h]

I didn't hire one and don't regret it. I had my DH, my MIL, my mom, and my step-dad with me as I was laboring with my first. We played Trivial Pursuit, watched movies, played my favorite music, and laughed a lot. It was a happy positive environment, and I had no desire for another person there. I got an epidural when the pain got too intense (which was my plan all along) but I was able to labor without meds for the majority of my labor with just the support of family. My step-dad is a doctor, and when various doctors or nurses wanted to start an IV right away or offered to break my water, give me pitocin to speed things along, give me pain meds before I was ready for them, etc., he was really good about stepping up and staving off any unncessary interventions on my behalf.

If I didn't have an adequate support network or had been really commited to an unmedicated birth, I might have considered a doula more seriously.

[Brie]

Nov 2, 2012 12:57:15 GMT -5 gibbinator said:

I considered it, but after meeting the nurses on the hospital tour, and the obs that would be on call, I decided it wasn't necessary. Our health district is pretty hippy dippy and the nurses basically do what a doula would as far as support - staying in the room with you the whole time (unless you want them gone), suggesting labour/pushing positions, helping with coping techniques etc. I was pretty frickin' impressed.

Same.

I also wasn't married to the concept of a med-free birth, though. I chose to get an epi and am very happy with my experience. Anecdotal, of course, but my cousin asked for an epi and her doula was very judgmental and rude about it. I didn't want to have to deal with that.

[Deleted]

Part of my doula interview was discussing epidurals and points at which I would want one. Personality fit is also a huge part of choosing a doula.

[Deleted]

I am going on a hospital tour soon and think that may help some of my fears that the hospital is going to push pitocin on me, csections and rush me thorugh. I plan on just having my husband and I there and am thinking the extra support may help and that they would be able to advocate for me. I also think it may be nice to have someone who can keep me motivated and help me know what to do next. I think a lot of my fears may be aliviated by my doctor and by the hospital tour. I am looking at a doula in training too thinking that may lower the cost but still keep me a little more sane. I dont want a med free birth but would like to try it as long as possible.

[atouchofklasse]

Best thing I did.

[mrssandro]

I am planning to hire a doula. I already have a meeting set up for Jan. My husband was amazing support last time and I am sure he will be this time but having a second advocate and assistance with positions ect will ease my mind. Especially if I do a home birth.

[Willis Jackson]

Yes. She was an angel from heaven.

The birth center supplied her, so her services were covered by insurance.

[keyslover]

Nov 2, 2012 12:42:44 GMT -5 niki said:

I considered it, but my husband assured me he was up for the job. He performed beautifully and I don't regret not hiring one. I do, however, think a lot of people could benefit from their services.

Pretty much this except aside from my husband my mom helped as well.

[Deleted]

Yes, her $500 fee can be FLEXed.

I haven't given birth yet, but we've had 2 prenatal meetings, she'll be with us at the hospital and do one post pardum visit. My main reading for hiring her was to take the pressure off my husband. I didn't want to be disappointed in him, so with a doula I had NO expectations of him. As he told her "your job is to keep me out of trouble."

She's super fun, and I see us being friends post-birth.

[pugz]

I hired one and we met twice before the birth to discuss things. But I labored so quickly she didn't show up til I was crowning, so I really didn't use her for the actual birth :\ At least she offered me a discount afterwards

[Deleted]

No. I was happy with my birth experience and don't think a doula would have changed anything.

[justjen]

I thought about it, but the price was hard to justify... As it turned out, I had a fairly quick and easy labor (with an epidural, which i knew i wanted) so I didn't really need one.

[fortmyersbride]

I did not. I knew I wanted an epidural and wasn't too worried about speaking up for myself when in labor. I think they could be of benefit though if you think your DH might need help as a support person, or if you are very set on going med-free.

My interaction with doulas at the hospital is very limited. They tend to step out of the room if I come in, but most seem respectful of their client's decision at the time. I did have a bad interaction with one doula years ago, basically she was being obstructive when her client was bleeding out in the birth suite and needed to get to the OR for immediate surgery. But I imagine she is an outlier.

[doctorsbaby]

I had a doula & loved her! I totally agree with pp who said you have to interview doulas & choose the one that fits your family best.

[Deleted]

Nov 2, 2012 12:42:44 GMT -5 niki said:

I considered it, but my husband assured me he was up for the job. He performed beautifully and I don't regret not hiring one. I do, however, think a lot of people could benefit from their services.

This.

[grosnl19]

We are hiring one...she is 750 EURO. We decided to get one for a few reasons:

1. We don't speak the local language (Dutch) while a majority of the people speak English all side conversations between hospital staff/doctors will be in Dutch.
2. The Dutch medical system is very different from what we are use to.
3. DH concern about being able to "manage" the labor/birth process.
4. Wanting someone there who has "been there done that" and can reinforce my birth plan with the doctors/nurses as I get whomever is on call that day.