Just thought I would start this thread--

Is anyone having (thinking of having/had) a doula with your birth?

We have a doula for our upcoming birth. We really like her and it has made me feel a lot more confident about labor and delievery to know that we have a personal 'expert' to rely on. She is kind of expensive, but will be worth every penny in the end, I think!

Yep, me me!

We have hired our doula. To be honest in the beginning I wondered if it was overkill, since I have midwives as my carers, but as time has gone on (I'm now in my 33rd week of pregnancy) I've felt more and more sure I've made the right decision. We had a prenatal visit last week and talked about labour and delivery and my fears and the way I deal with stress etc. and I just feel so much more confident about it than I did before. Plus she has this amazing knack of coming up with just the book I need to read at the right time. Plus she has introduced me to other new mums in my area. I'm really glad I chose a doula.

We didn't use a doula... Although I do think they are wonderful and can help the mother in so many ways.

I hope to become certified as doula soon. I'm doing my training on June 11th.

Yippeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doulas rock! :victory: I'm glad there are several people here using them. This is my doula website: www.wsbirthblessings.com (http://www.wsbirthblessings.com)

Cortney - I love your site :) Those stats you mentioned - definitely a big part of the reason I chose a doula. A friend recently had her first child in a hospital with a doula and had a short labour with no interventions! She says she would definitely use one again.

Cortney your site is awesome!! I can't wait to start going to births, I just love the process.

Shazza - I have a midwife was well. But once I learned that they don't show up much earlier than a dr would, I started to think about additional support. Plus, Tari (our doula) makes DH feel so much better and more confident. (like he is part of a team, not just the only one--since he doesn't have a clue :lol: )

Cortney--your site is great! How long have you been a doula?

Rosie - Initially DH wasn't so keen on the doula idea...but then he realised it would make his job easier, so he was all set. Now he's met her and we've spent some time with her, he is really really gung-ho on the whole thing and thinks she's great. It has really worked well for us.

I am a certified doula through DONA and love it. I get such satisfaction helping others at this important time in their lives.

I also used a doula for my last birth and was able to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean). It was the best money we ever spent.

We are having a doula...it took some convincing for my DH, but now he is solidly on board with the idea! Now, if only I'd deliver soon, then I could tell you all how it went!

--Robin

I just thought I'd throw a few doula stats and a bit of info out there in case anyone was lurking and was interested!


What is a doula?

Doula is a Greek word meaning "woman’s servant". A doula’s role is to provide emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. The doula offers help and advice on comfort measures such as breathing, relaxation, massage and positioning. Doulas are also known as labor assistants.

Doulas do not provide medical care or advice, but work with doctors, midwives and nurses. Doulas are endorsed by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.



How does a doula differ from a midwife, nurse or doctor?

No clinical tasks are preformed by doulas. A doula arrives at your home during the onset of labor and provides support throughout the entire process of labor AND birth.

A doula can also attend births at home and at the hospital.



What benefits come from using a doula?

Twenty years of research and a multi-clinical trial study show that doulas can have a significant impact on the birth process. Findings show that have a doula during labor and delivery may result in:



*50% reduction in the cesarean rate

*25% shorter labor

*60% reduction in epidural requests

*40% reduction in oxytocin (pitocin) use

*30% reduction in analgesia use

*40% reduction in forceps delivery

*better mother-infant bonding

*reduced post-partum depression

(all facts and figures excerpted from Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Klaus, Kennell, and Kalus)



Does a doula take the place of the partner or husband?

Definitely not!!! The doula can actually bring the couple closer. The benefit of having a doula and a partner present at the labor and birth is that it takes the pressure off the partner to know what to suggest, when to suggest it, and how to answer mom’s questions during the labor.

We place a huge burden on fathers these days by insisting they "coach" mom through childbirth, yet we usually leave them alone with very little guidance. Imagine if we gave a man twelve hours of instruction (in this analogy we are assuming he took a twelve hour childbirth class which isn’t always the case) on the basics of coaching football. Then on Super Bowl Sunday we place him in the middle of the stadium and say, "Now you coach the game." He would have to come up with the right plays at the right time and make the necessary adjustments. The game was one of the most important games in the lives of the players-one they will never forget. Would we ever do this? No, but we have no problems doing this to them for the birth of their baby. A doula is trained to handle the play-by-play of labor which frees the couple to concentrate on working together through the labor.

In summary, the doula can free the dad from the stress of knowing what to do, say and suggest and allow him to do what he does better than anyone else.....love and support his wife.