Would it help ?

[3girlsmum]

Hello !!!

Ive had 3 pretty horrific labours ,all back to back (can't remember the medical name for this) with Epidurals .Two of them in the Uk and the last in Australia.

Im not pregnant yet but hope to be soon and am very scared of what to expect this time .

My DH is of no use !! each time Ive gone into labour at 4am and been on my own while he sleeps untill I can no longer stand it untill about 7am ,but of course when we get to hospital Im only a few centameters dialated.

The last time (AUS experience) I lasted longer without the epidural as they had water pools which was great .

Id love to have some extra support especially maybe being at home for longer .Im not completely into the natural birth thing though and do like Epidurals but are Doulas cool with things like that ????????????

Sorry for such a long post .

[Zan]

Hi, I've never used a doula but they are meant to be there to support you in the labour you want so I'm sure you could find one that is happy to support you having an epi. I'm sure having someone there totally for you would help you get the labour you want.
Good luck.
Zan

[shed]

Doulas are definitely cool with things like that. You write your birth plan and they do everything in their power to support you in that.

The presence of a doula is proven to reduce stress, and unnecessary medical intervention (notice I say unnecessary, which doesn't mean they won't support your decision to have an epidural if you want one).

I can't rave on about my doula enough. If it wasn't for her my beautiful birth might have gone very differently. DP was great but my doula was the one who I foussed on, she was the one who I leaned on, she got dribbled on and barked at and was my bubble of protection and reassurance from everything happening around me because the midwife comes and goes out of the room and hospital midwives are working on their own agenda.

DP felt more confident with her there too. It wasn't all up to him to support me. We were a team.

I would never give birth again without a doula. Never. I don't know why anyone would!

[Lucybelle]

Absolutely, i agree with all shed has said.

DP was completely useless at birth of bubs #2, so I got a doula for #3. She was absolutely brilliant, like some sort of fairy godmother!!!

complete support, all about me and what I wanted from my birth experience. I was so upset with dp from last time I nearly didn;t let him in the delivery suite, but she helped and guided him to support me.
It ended being a wonderful experience (gotta love a birth pool) and as relaxed as you could get it.
When I got out of the shower when it was all over she had laid out my jammies and had a cup of tea and bickies ready for me. Spoilt!
AND we left the camera behind in the rush to get out the door, but she had brought her own and we didn't miss those first magical moments.

DO IT!!!!