Has anybody had a doula and wants to share the experience?

[LittleBoysRock]

I am considering having a doula for my next birth and I was wondering if any bubhubians have had a doula and would like to share the experience?

I am after any feedback positive or negetive... :thumbsup:

[shed]

Well thank you for asking. I am happy to get the chance to praise my doula from the rooftops. I seriously would not have had the beautiful birth experience I did have if it wasn't for the most amazing wonderful woman, my lovely lovely doula.

If you want someone who is completely on your side, who will support you, speak up for you and who KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING then the doula is for you.

I leaned on her, I dribbled on her, I talked a whole load of **** and she was wonderful. DP loves her also because he got to support me and stay in his comfort zone - she supported us both.

She knew my birth plan and she had no hesitation in making sure it was carried out. Her and DP were like my little safe bubble of reassurance and familiarity (the hospital midwives walk in and out and change shifts).

Well, what else can I say? Oh yeah, after the birth we were all celebrating and I had a shower and she blow waved my hair for me!!

The difference between a doula and ya mum or your friend or whoever is that they know the system, they know the process and they have the guts to step in if they need to, to protect you from being "processed" through the hospital system and to make sure your birth is a wonderful experience, even if you have to have a caesarean or whatever, they will ensure that everything is done as positively as possible for YOU. Also, because they know so much they can reassure you which gives you confidence and makes the birth much less scarey.

I wouldn't even CONSIDER giving birth again without a doula. I think everyone should have one and that's why I rave on so much, to let people know the benefits.

:smiliedance:

[LittleBoysRock]

Thanks Shed, sounds like a wonderful experience! I am convinced that I would love to have a doula next time. My DH is worried about the cost but I think I can talk him around! :)

[Alatariel]

Thanks for making this thread Monyfelix, the more I read about doulas the more I want one when I eventually need one! DP has these grandiose ideas of 'noone in the delivery room but him and me, and midwives of course' (as in no family, or friends etc) but im going to be very firmly pointing out that a doula in the room is no different to having the midwives in there (in the scheme of him not wanting to share the birth with anyone) except that the doula is there for ME and not just because its her shift!

The cost is a bit of an obstacle for us too, so I'm going to be keeping an eye on the student doulas section!

[shed]

My doula was a trainee. They need to do three births before they can start charging, and I was number three, so the next person that gets her will have to pay $400 for what I got for free.

I would happily pay the $400 next time, now that I know what you get for it. Its worth every cent and DP would agree with me. I have heard him telling his mates about our doula and how good it was for us that she was there.

See if you can get a trainee. It will cost you nada and you can't argue with that!!

[Mum-of-Preston]

DP has these grandiose ideas of 'noone in the delivery room but him and me, and midwives of course' (as in no family, or friends etc) but im going to be very firmly pointing out that a doula in the room is no different to having the midwives in there (in the scheme of him not wanting to share the birth with anyone) except that the doula is there for ME and not just because its her shift!


Alatariel: My husband was the same. I told him that I wanted to have my bestfriend present at the birth as I felt the need to have a women as a birthing partner as well as him. He refused as he said it was our day and that he didn't want to share it with anyone else. But a few days before I was due, he started to change his mind, I don't know if he was nervous that he wouldn't be able to suport me well enough or what. In the end he was very thankful to my best friend for being there for both of us. We wouldn't have gotten the fabulous photo's of mum, dad and bub without her there. She helped me with the boring bits and was so much better at seeing to my needs. We all need that womens intuition.
My bestfriend has just moved to Perth and won't be here for my next baby so I am starting to consider having a Doula, I couldn't do it without a womens support and like already said Midwives change shifts inbetween your delivery which is most annoying. I ended up with a male MW which my husband enjoyed chatting to all night!! :banghead: They came from the same country and had a lot in common. I think my birth would have been better if I had a female MW as I think he lost faith in my abilities too early! A Doula would have been more supportive to get me through it. I ended up with a spinal after a 28 hour labour and 4 hours of pushing, even though I didn't want one. Oh well I know for next time.
Donna