Will a Doula seriously massage my back for as long as I want???

[MammyMammy]

cos thats what I'd be after. DH has no idea what massage is...

[shed]

Yes, she will.

It was something I was really looking forward to, until labour started and it turned out that I didn't want anyone touching me! I think I even said "please don't touch me" when someone put their hand really softly on my back. It felt like they were pushing really hard, I couldn't stand it.

Ripped off, lol!! It wasn't till much later after he was born that I realised that I didn't get my massage!

I was looking forward to that.:mad: :laughing:

[stellarella]

I didnt want a massage either, while in labour.

I still want a doula to be there in case I want one though!

[mum33]

i wouldnt have minded a massage in labour.

but the one thing i think doulas would be breat for is breastfeeding support :smiliedance:

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

Yep they will.

With dd my midwife was the best she massaged my back then whole labour.

With ds i didnt want anyone to touch me and i got really crabby when someone did.I had lots of back and hip pain.

[Claire-Bear]

Yep, she sure will. I often give massages at antenatal visits too if mum is a bit stressed of having a hard time with something.

[shelldar]

Absolutely she will!! Thats what you pay her for:D Wether it be a massage or putting heat packs on over and over, or whatever you ask her for!!

Doulas are a great resource and you would not regret having one for your birth. Drop me a line if you would like to know any more about the wonderful services we doulas can provide :wave:

[fai firinne]

heh heh, yeh funny how the thing you most think you want during labour sometimes turns out to be the things you don't want or can't have - two of my births I had my birth pool all ready but couldn't use it - one time because the babe came really fast - in a shopping mall - and the second time because we had meconium so babe was born on land (at home). But I reckon I made up for it at our first birth (also at home - a big improvement on the food court, don't you think?), I spent about 8 hours of a 24 hour labour in that thar birth pool.

I wanted bone-pulverising massage during labour! looooooooved it. Now I'm a doula and seriously, I do whatever works for the woman! You want massage, you get massage. Sometimes when women are deep in labour they're not much into verbalising what they want - you're kinda conserving strength, right? So then as a doula I go by instinct and body language and empathy to figure out what will help my client.

It is fully the woman's call - doula means 'servant' and we are literally at your service. I also help with encouragement and reminders to do other things that I know fit my client's personal coping style - such as walking, using gravity, breath, vocalising, swaying, music, Pink Kit positioning stuff (to maximize pelvic dimensions & flexibility) - every woman has their own special style, it's a matter of getting on her wavelength and maximising her potential. It's a special synergy. It doesn't get in the way of the special dynamic between the parents, I find that the doula being there doesn't interfere with that or detract from that - actually seems like the couple are happy in a special private birthing land, quite relaxed and enjoying their labour waltz together.

We will do what works for you, give you space when you want and be right there when you want.

[Beany]

It was something I was really looking forward to, until labour started and it turned out that I didn't want anyone touching me! I think I even said "please don't touch me" when someone put their hand really softly on my back. It felt like they were pushing really hard, I couldn't stand it.

:eek: I thought I was the only one like that!

I had so much internal pressure from the contractions that anyone applying external pressure was just unthinkable. And I'd so neatly packed massage oils and a Body Shop back massage tool and everything ...

And I thought the hot shower would be stupid and useless. Best. Thing. Ever.

(Until the epidural :D )

[shed]

and I thought the tub would be fantastic. I made them fill it up, hopped in and hopped out after about 2 minutes. Hated it.

I didn't go the Birth Centre because they didn't have tubs, only the shower.

I only used the shower anyway!

oh well!

[CurlyG]

My partner spent most of the second and third trimesters practicing his massage techniques for labour and when it came down to it I couldn't handle him touching my back or tummy at all! I also thought I'd birth squatting or kneeling, but in the end I laid on my side and slept between pushing contractions...soooooooo chilled out!

Doula's are a great idea because having someone else there to support you will not only be helpful for you, but your partner also.

[lachys_mama]

If i have another i'd like a doula i reckon, i would have loved it if dp could have given me a good massage during labour, my midwife was great though, right up until she tried to put a heat pack on my bott bott *blusH*

[cath5]

Absolutely she will!! Thats what you pay her for:D Wether it be a massage or putting heat packs on over and over, or whatever you ask her for!!

Doulas are a great resource and you would not regret having one for your birth. Drop me a line if you would like to know any more about the wonderful services we doulas can provide :wave:
Hi there
I am trying to find myself a doula in the Brisbane area - do you have any suggestions of how to find one?
thanks

[doulacara]

Cath,

Try looking in the directory section of Bubhub under childbirth services as there is a pretty good list of doulas by state.

Rgds,
Cara

[shelldar]

Hi there
I am trying to find myself a doula in the Brisbane area - do you have any suggestions of how to find one?

There are lots of places you can look, one really good resource to find someone in your area is www.findadoula.com.au

Hope you have some luck :wave: