I thought of having a doula mainly to protect me from the psychotic NHS staff we have round here, and also for general support during labour. Do you reckon this would be very useful or a waste of money? Anybody had a doula - or wished they had had one?
2006-12-17 03:35:49 · 11 answers · asked by Isabella 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
For the people who answered that it was a waste of money, have never had a doula attend their own birth. I've never heard anyone who had a doula say that it was a waste of money. Having a good nurse does not replace the need for a doula. Your doula will meet with you prenatally to discuss your birth plan and any concerns you have, will be on call until you go into labor, will come as early into your labor as you would like- even before you leave for the hospital. Your doula will also meet with you postpartum once or twice.
Doulas are trained to know many pain coping techniques and comfort positions. One of a doula's responsibilities is to educate you and empower you so that you can make decisions on your own, they can not make them for you. They are not supposed to interfere with the hospital staff, the idea is that they can give you the information and the confidence to be able to stand up for yourself. A good doula will also take care of your partner's needs. A doula does not have to be primary support person, if the father is there the doula will be your secondary support person, but they have the knowledge and training that a father does not.
If money is an issue, most doulas will take you on a sliding scale, or work with you somehow if you just ask. Most doula training programs require that a doula attends a certain amount of births after her training before certification. Many doulas awaiting certification will attend your birth for free in exchange for an evaluation. I wouldn't worry about them being less experienced because they have been recently trained, therefore that knowledge is fresh in their minds. Sometimes these doulas will advertise on Craigslist looking for clients. You can also go to bellywomen.net to look for a free doula in your area.
I have two children. My first birth I had not even heard of doulas. I had an amazing nurse, which was great because my husband freaks out at hospitals, at the sight of needles, blood, etc... Though he means well and loves me immensely he was no support. As wonderful as the nurse was, she was still employed by the hospital and therefore more loyal to them than me. When I was expecting my second child I decided to look into hiring a doula because I knew my husband wouldn't be supportive, but at the time I didn't know that there was away to afford a doula on our measly income, so I didn't have one and really regretted it. I ended up in the ER (one visit resulted in a week long hospital stay) days after each birth due to actions of nurses during my labor and afterbirth. I know without a doubt that wouldn't have happened if I had a doula. My experiences prompted me to become a doula myself so that I can help other women have the birth that they envision.
2006-12-17 09:31:11 · answer #1 · answered by Ti 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't know first-hand, but -- see if you can't find a copy of "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth."
http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/
_Loads_ of information on doulas -- and 'monitrices,' and midwives, and... Way too much to reproduce here; includes some statistics on things that are more and less likely to happen with one, etc. It's sufficiently useful that I'm now out for a copy of the author's other book; see
http://amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/203-6912140-2201565?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=henci+goer
There's almost half a page in the index on "Doulas, and, &c." The cons she lists:
-- "Hiring the wrong person. This would be someone who imposes her ideas of the "right" way to do things or who pushes your partner aside."
-- "Hospital staff hostility. This may be the doula's fault, but it more likely arises from doctors or nurses seeing the doula as an intruder into their territory or as a competitor. Hospital staff may also feel threatened if the doula's presence leads you to ask questions or resist procedures. In their view, the doula has made you a "difficult patient.""
The author _is_ a doula, and the book, like all books, is not without its biases, but it's still well worth a look. I don't doubt either 'con' above. If I was looking to deal with 'psychotic NHS staff' (heh), I'd make the ownership of a metaphorical set of balls a priority in choosing a doula. And, especially after reading the author's biases against drug methods of pain control, I'd want to be quite sure we had similar viewpoints.
If I was leaning towards a hospital/obstetrician birth (and not a home/midwife one), I think I'd definitely want one. Good luck.
2006-12-17 05:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Working on a maternity floor for years I have seen Douala's used in a good way and in a bad ways. Good being they are there for you during the whole labor and after birth and they don't have to run to another room like a nurse or doctor might if you are in early labor.
Bad because they do not have the medical knowledge that a nurse and doctor have and might get in the way with professional staff. Make recommendations that are not accurate.
In all the Douala's I've seen they stood pretty much out of the way of staff and our supprtive to the mother. I would say depending where you have your baby and what kind staff there is I would get one. It is pretty much a waste of money if you go to a good hospital that the nurse will be one to one with you when labor progresses. In a not so good hospital I would get one so you have the support you need.
Hope this helps. Most hospitals give tours and you can ask for more info on your tour.
2006-12-17 05:10:56 · answer #3 · answered by cliffhanger 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Fortunately, the staff at my local hospital were, and still are fantastic. There are lots of programmes about doulas on the various Baby channels on Sky - if that helps.
2006-12-17 03:51:51 · answer #4 · answered by strawberri_shortcake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am Training to be a doula I am holitic therapist at the moment I think it would be lovely to have someone on your side who wont rush you who will have all of your best interests at heart will do it as naturally as possible ... Go For it Davina Mccall had them for all her births as far as I am aware you could read up on that on the net .........Doulas are like holistic midwives Good Luck With your choice at the birth of your precious little Angel xxxx
2006-12-17 03:52:55 · answer #5 · answered by Country Girl 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I haven't tried it, but think it can be helpful to have an advocate who can speak for you. The doula won't to see you in pain and panic, whereas your partner might.
Having a proper birth plan and discussing what you want with your partner beforehand is also important.
2006-12-17 03:45:23 · answer #6 · answered by Ricecakes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my husband at my children's birth but I guess an experienced mother would have been a help for my first!
I've not been one - I've been a nanny and maternity nurse...
2006-12-17 04:18:16 · answer #7 · answered by Home_educator 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what I gather they are very helpful and supportive for the mother. I say take as much help and support as you can get if you can afford it.
2006-12-17 03:40:09 · answer #8 · answered by pamela v 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO IT HAVE ONE, THEY WILL TELL A NURSE OR DOCTOR TO BACK OFF AND LEAVE YOU BE...they speak up for you becuase you may not know your rights or dont want to offend people they care and they are the best DO IT!!! YOU CANT GO WRONG!
2006-12-17 03:49:09 · answer #9 · answered by Stephanie G 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would say its a waste of money no ones better than your partner or mother! good luck you will be fine i would rather spend the £300 or however much they are on my new baby ! xx
2006-12-17 06:21:36 · answer #10 · answered by mummy of 2 boys and a princess x 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋