Are you using a doula?

[mrssandro]

Just make sure the doula that you choose is going to support a non natural birth. Some do not.

We are getting a doula this time. We are also giving birth either at home or at a birth center.

[litasail]

I am getting a doula, and am being induced (for medical reasons) and will do drugs. I just want someone to be my advocate and also to give me the perineal massage.

[Deleted]

I'm getting a doula. I want someone there to stick up for me who knows what they're talking about. I haven't hired one yet. I also want one who will support me if I decide that natural is no bueno.

[looseseal]

No, I will not. I don't even know if there are any in my tiny area, and my H and the L&D nurses were great during my first delivery.

[imoan]

Having a doula is soooo not in my personality profile. So, no.

[ladystardust]

I just want DH in the room with me, so no.

I will probably at least attempt natural. I plan on only getting an epidural if my labor stalls and if I think I need an epidural to relax and continue progressing (in hopes of avoiding a c-section).

[Deleted]

I had one last time and DH says we're getting her again.

The whole "I only want DH with me" line always amuses me. There were 2 nurses and a doctor - and there would have been a resident, too, if I'd got there sooner. It was not an intimate moment for DH and I, and I sure didn't care. The person I hired to be there to make our lives easier was an awesome addition.

[imoan]

No... I'm just a person who feels comfortable with drs and whatever nurses happen to be there. I just don't feel a need for an additional person.

[NandaB]

I may be wrong, but I don't think an epi can "help you progress'. In fact, they often slow down labor, which can cause the nurses to encourage pitocen. An epi can help you relax and give your body a break. But I don't think it has a positive effect on dilating or effacing.

We had a doula and will definitely have her again. She was a great support for my hubby and a liason between us and the nurses. Plus, my son had to take a quick trip to the nicu and my hubby went with him. She stayed with me while I got stitched up and moved to my room. I totally recommend a goood doula to anyone who asks, whether you are for sure going med free or not.

[mrssandro]

Dec 4, 2012 21:22:11 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I had one last time and DH says we're getting her again.

The whole "I only want DH with me" line always amuses me. There were 2 nurses and a doctor - and there would have been a resident, too, if I'd got there sooner. It was not an intimate moment for DH and I, and I sure didn't care. The person I hired to be there to make our lives easier was an awesome addition.

Agree. I just had DH with me last time and there was so many freaking nurses and I believe a few residents. I don't even remember how many people entered. Craziness.

[NandaB]

Dec 5, 2012 8:24:45 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

Dec 4, 2012 21:22:11 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

I had one last time and DH says we're getting her again.

The whole "I only want DH with me" line always amuses me. There were 2 nurses and a doctor - and there would have been a resident, too, if I'd got there sooner. It was not an intimate moment for DH and I, and I sure didn't care. The person I hired to be there to make our lives easier was an awesome addition.

Agree. I just had DH with me last time and there was so many freaking nurses and I believe a few residents. I don't even remember how many people entered. Craziness.

This. I was more than a little out of it by the time I was ready to push but I remember there being a handful of nurses, and the on call dr, who I had never met. The dr asked if it was ok if the _____ came in and I have been told that I said "sure! Bring in the circus!"

Yep, not intimate, stilll special.

[NandaB]

They suggest you stay home until transition??? How close are you to the hospital? I was ready to push RIGHT after transition.

[NandaB]

Just my experience...I was dilated to 2-3 cm for about a week when I went into labor, but I went from contractions starting to baby in 7 hours. My contractions got serious and about 4 min apart around 6 am (I was already at the hospital because I started bleeding) I had almost constant contractions by 8 am and was in transition for what I have been told was 45 min around 10 am. I was lying on my side in the bed writhing and moaning like a crazy person. I can not imagine being in the car like that. For any length of time. G was born at 11:03

On an unrelated note, my husband was an awesome support person/coach, but transition was the only time that my doula said he looked scared for me. she was apparently giving him encouraging looks over me in the bed.

[rosetyler]

I have thought about it. Those who've had doulas before, what all do they typically do? It would be nice to hear from a firsthand perspective.

[underwaterrhymes]

I would love a doula, but I think one is out of our price range.

The hospital where I'm delivering, though, offers your own personal nurse, plus a midwife, and a doctor. The nurse is the only one there (besides your partner) throughout labor, but it's a pretty strong team.

[baconlettucetomato]

I think I'm going to have my sister be in there as a moral support. She even is looking into doula techniques. She's been thinking about going to school for doula or midwifery so this will give her a chance to see if its something she really wants to pursue. She's a nurse now so I think she'll be good at jumping in when DH needs a break.

[swimmette]

No, I personally don't see the point. My OB is well aware that the anesthesiologist better be ready to go with that epidural as soon as it is possible. Although my OB prefers not to do C-Sections whenever possible, we have discussed it being a possibility with my condition.

It will be H, nurses, and doctor (no residents at my hospital). My H is a doctor, so I am really not worried whatsoever and have no desire for extra people in the room trying to give me advice that will probably just annoy me. This is just me and my personality though.

[yellowbrkrd]

No, we plan to have my mom in there with us. She is very good at calming me down and I know she'd speak up for me if needed.

[lovebug]

Dec 4, 2012 11:39:45 GMT -5 @iamsnazzy said:

I have no idea if I'm going natural or not. I have been seriously considering it - the only thing really holding me back is that it's kind of terrifying, lol.

But even if I don't go natural, I still kind of want a doula. My parents both work at the hospital I'm delivering at and I want a buffer between me/my H and them. Plus, I really want my labor to progress naturally. I get sick when I think about the possibility of a c-section, too. I trust my doctor, but I'm just kind of scared of the delivery process/breastfeeding and I want someone to help me throughout the whole thing.

What are you all doing?

I took the Bradley Method classes and it was suggested that we have a doula but I haven't looked into it and I think it's probably a little late to worry about for me. The idea seems nice because I too worry about the nurses and the hospital pushing me to take meds, etc. It wouldn't hurt to interview a few to get a feel on what you think about them in general.

[NandaB]

Dec 12, 2012 14:03:20 GMT -5 lovebug said:

Dec 4, 2012 11:39:45 GMT -5 @iamsnazzy said:

I have no idea if I'm going natural or not. I have been seriously considering it - the only thing really holding me back is that it's kind of terrifying, lol.

But even if I don't go natural, I still kind of want a doula. My parents both work at the hospital I'm delivering at and I want a buffer between me/my H and them. Plus, I really want my labor to progress naturally. I get sick when I think about the possibility of a c-section, too. I trust my doctor, but I'm just kind of scared of the delivery process/breastfeeding and I want someone to help me throughout the whole thing.

What are you all doing?

I took the Bradley Method classes and it was suggested that we have a doula but I haven't looked into it and I think it's probably a little late to worry about for me. The idea seems nice because I too worry about the nurses and the hospital pushing me to take meds, etc. It wouldn't hurt to interview a few to get a feel on what you think about them in general.

I don't think its too late! I would ask your bradley teacher for recs. I mean, you really only have to meet with her once before you go into labor to discuss your plan and whatnot.