Anyone considering or already used a doula?

[leishacaz]

I'm just wondering if anyone is considering using a doula or has used one for their previous pregnancies.

I'm seriously considering having one since my mum came in with me and DH when I had my DD and she ended up helping me through pretty much all of it coz my DH was kind of lost and didn't know what to do. This time round my mum doesn't want to come in and I don't really want her there either but I know I'd like a female support person there as I'm already feeling quite aprehensive about going through labour as this time round I know what I'm in for.

What are your thoughts???

[MammyMammy]

read the article on the left "I want a doula" - it was good...

i wouldnt personally have one because I am very shy with strangers and it takes me a while to trust someone and be comfy...let alone flash my bits at them and let them tell me what i should be doing, after knowing them for only a while...

I did have a look on the doula website (linked to the article) and the portaits might help you find one that has a similar philosophy as you - thats a good start.

i wish my hubby was a doula, that way i could just have him help me through, and i could boss him around and tell him to massage my back through labour

the statistics are WITH you on doulas though, with so many less tears and scars and rips and need for intervention

good luck xx

[jamb]

I would love a doula.

Last time mum and DH were both there and I needed both of them, had a very very long active labour and was totally out of it by the end.

But this time, someone needs to look after DS and that will be mum (inlaws overseas, i dont have bro/sis, basically no one else i feel comfy leaving him with).

We live regionally and from my limited searching there does not appear to be any from round here.

I might ask my OB next time i see her :detective:

DH was great and all but if it goes like last time he was as exhausted and distressed as i was, so having an experienced person would put both our minds at ease.

That said, we both plan on being way more vocal this time round, now that we have a bit more of an idea ourselves! Last time, nothing could have prepared us for the sh*tfight we went through.

[deb1234]

Velisha & Jamb - you are supposed to say what a breeze labour is and there's no way you would consider having a doula for a simple 30 minute birth!! :laughing:

[leishacaz]

:laughing: Sorry Deb!

Trust me, I'd rather not know what I'm in for! It making more anxious this time round since I know exactly what to expect.

[LiciaSings]

I think doulas are wonderful. Not that I've ever experienced childbirth at all.. but I have a really good friend in the States who is a doula, and she loves it, and I think she's really good at it, and I wish so much that she could be here with me. But since that's not going to happen...
I looked into doula's around here...hard to find many in the Brissy area? And looking at the expense, I really don't think we could afford it. But I am going with the birh centre, which means I'll have my own midwife the whole time, so I'm hoping she'll be a support person, a bit like a doula? Sounds like they do a lot of the same kinds of things.
Good luck leishacaz - I hope you find a wonderful, supportive woman to help make this childbirth a really positive experience for you!