Labor Doula?

Question

Has anyone ever used a Doula during labor? Did s/he help you alot? What were some of you experiences?

Answer 1

Yes, I used a doula.

Would not give birth without one!! SHE WAS AWESOME!!

She kept me focused and kept thinking of new positions for me to try to work with the contractions (I went natural). She kept reminding me of where we were in the process - I had a very fast labor and I didn't really know it was going fast (first kid, who knows those things!?). She kept making me drink water to stay hydrated. She gave her sandwhich to my husband so he wouldn't leave to get dinner - he would have missed the birth if he had left and she knew that!

She was essential to a natural birth.

Answer 2

You've gotten great answers - I want to add that if you feel you can't afford a doula you can frequently get free services from a doula who is working on certification. Visit www.alace.org or www.dona.org to see if there are doulas in your area volunteering for births.

I didn't have a doula the first time and did have one the second. I would NEVER birth without one!

Answer 3

I personally haven’t and probably never would due to shyness. However I do have a friend that used one and swears by it. The hubby or man in your life can be there but there is something about a woman who truly understands what labor feels like being your corner telling you it will be ok your doing great.

It really is a personal choice. I think you can ask for reference like you check out your dr you can do the same for a doula I would image.

Answer 4

My sister had one and loved it.

I didn't, thinking I'd have help from Hubby (we went through lamaze, of course he'd do fine!). He was no help at all except giving me support for a truly drug-free labor. He was pretty tramatized seeing me in pain.

My mom was fabulous, but she was afraid of stepping on Hubby's toes, as it was assumed it was his job and stayed in the back most the time.

The best was my nurse, who left her other patients and stayed with me during the end and most intense part (she probably saw how inept my family was at helping me).

If it's your first labor, I would definitely have someone there that knows how to take charge and is experienced with labor. I've heard nothing but good things about doulas, but many people do just fine without them.

Answer 5

I didn't use one before but I will definitely use one next time, but in conjunction with a doctor. The doctor only comes in at the very end and the nurses are never around. You are left with your significant other only (and if your lucky a second person of choice) but I found the my "helpers" weren't always so helpful. They did try their best but they didn't know what was going on. It's much better to have a trained person to be there for you as your advocate because you need to concentrate on the labour.

Good luck and congrats!

Answer 6

I did, and that i might want to signify it to each person. besides the actual incontrovertible truth that my husband change into very supportive - she performed a very diverse function and complemented his help completely. She got here after I were given admitted to the well being middle, yet she helped me come to a decision even as to bypass there. She change into necessary in calming my husband down by explaining issues that the nurses or midwives or docs might want to assert. The nurses were great, yet they were really there intermittently for the period of my troublesome artwork. because I had a well being middle beginning, the workers were consistently contained in the room bugging me about progressing speedier and speedier. My doula stated diverse positions to get the toddler to descend, discomfort administration relief and organic the best thanks to stimulate contractions (like utilizing a breast pump). She defined the execs and cons of each of the options that I made for the period of troublesome artwork (even as/if to have water damaged) etc. She change into instrumental in my quick, basic and unmedicated childbirth. i imagine it truly is actual nicely worth it! study have shown that troublesome artwork doulas improve beginning consequences. best of success to you!

Answer 7

i had a doula.... i didnt like it much but it depends on who they are and how much you like them on a personal level, meet one 1st before making a decision , i didnt like her cause she rubbed my back and gave me more pain during birth cause i was having back labor but some are good and some are bad good luck