Questions for Doula's

**Rainbowbrite** · 27-09-2007 07:35

I was just wondering when I do go into labour, when do I call my doula?

Do I wait to make sure its the real thing or do I let her know that I think I may be in labour?

Does she come to my house or meet us at the hospital?

Just starting to worry, have just under 8 weeks left & everything seems so unorganized. That & I went in early with MJ so want it all sorted ASAP.

I'm a sucker for a plan

**draught** · 27-09-2007 07:45

RB - I am not a doula, but had a doula for DS's birth and she and I just stayed in touch, talking regularly about what we would do if and when something happened. There are no hard and fast rules - it is what you want - it is your birth after all! We agreed that I would ring her as soon as I thought I was in labour and we would start from there. (I was guaranteed to be having a fast labour so we had plans about her breaking the speed barrier to meet me either at home or en route to the hospital!)

As it turned out I let my doula know that I was in labour by turning on the light - she was asleep in the chair next to my bed in the hospital! Probably not the normal route but worked for us!

**Rainbowbrite** · 27-09-2007 08:01

Good story

Might have to start calling my doula & keeping in touch more. MJs birth was pretty quick & she was posterior, so the midwives are saying this will be alot quicker more than likely.

**QTB** · 27-09-2007 08:10

I usually get clients to let me know when they *think* they are in labour, then keep me updated til they want me to go out there... i go to their house and support her there, then go to the hospital.... but iv supported a few extreamly fast labours that iv had to meet them at the hospital! lol

Basically you just do what feels right for you! And good luck for the upcoming birth

**Rainbowbrite** · 27-09-2007 08:25

Thanks Mel

I would prefer her here before I go to the hospital too I think.

**QTB** · 27-09-2007 08:52

Not a problem

Just have a chat to your Doula, she may do things differently... but most do come to your house beforehand ...

**~Emmylou~** · 27-09-2007 09:16

The same as QTB here - I tell my clients to just give me a call when they think something is happening just so I can get myself organised and be "on alert" lol.

Then they can call me again when they're ready for me to come. I'm happy to go to their homes in early labour or just meet them at the hospital if they want that. I would think most doulas would be happy to do either but it's something you should talk about with yours.

All the best for your birth!

**shed** · 27-09-2007 09:22

I rang my doula when my waters broke. I actually rang her before I rang my DP! I had read up so much and as soon as my waters broke it all just fell out of my brain and I panicked.

She said to wait for a contraction and to either ring her back or she could come over then and there. I told her to wait and I would ring her back when something was happening.

Turns out it was full steam ahead from the first contraction which came about 20 minutes later so she had to meet us up at the hospital.

I will never forget her walking in that door at the hospital, I will never forget that as long as I live. I was strapped to a monitor being bossed around by strangers and then she walked in and I was like "yay, now I am going to have a baby woot woot!!" and it was as much fun as labour could be from then on, lol. I was SO happy to see her. The monitor was ripped off and I was in charge from then on.

We did have the bed made up in the spare room for her in case she needed it though, so just ring her when you need some support. There is no 'wrong' time to ring

**reAllytee** · 27-09-2007 09:58

Im obviously not a Doula lol but have used one as you know.

With mine we kept in contact every so often through the pregnancy then in the final weeks it was a case of me SMS'ing her to keep her informed & she called me too. We had already discussed the birth plan, talked about fears, she also got to talk with DP about what he wanted ( loved this especially due to his fears ! ) & we also talked about anything else we thought necessary eg. what would happen when i went into labour etc.

When it came to my due date being overdue & stressed about induction she talked me through this also. Then when i started my labour knowing i had some time we just advised her what was happening every few hours & then the plan was she would come to the house if this was the case otherwise i would meet her at hospy. A lot of things we decided to play by ear depending on how i was feeling at the time.

I held her off because i thought i still had plenty of time

idiot that i am lol but even having her here for the hour or so before we went to hospy was awesome. She had this amazing calming voice that kept away my fears ... I still wanted drugs though

So in the end she was just amazed that i did it all myself lol & felt bad she hadnt been there for me through it all but realised that i did what i did because it was how i felt.

Thats the thing to remember its all about you !!!!

Do what you want & how you want it !

**doulacara** · 27-09-2007 17:41

I ask my clients to call me when anything happens - even in the middle of the night - as it gives me time to organise myself. Esp if you suspect you might have a quick labour, I would call even if you are having prelabour just so she knows things are happening.