Have you ever used a Birth Doula? Do you know what that is?

Question

For those that have used one what was the birth outcome? Meaning was it Natural, Drugged, or C section?
What did the doula do for you and your partner to help out?
Was your partner happy with the help offered by the doula?

For those that do not know what one is I hope someone takes the time to post some good responses :D

Answer 1

My wife and I are using a doula. I can't speak to the outcome of the birth b/c she hasn't given birth yet, she is due today. I have done extensive research and we have met with ours several times already so I will share that info.

Our's has been great so far, her approach is to provide BOTH my wife and I support during labor and delivery. She will use various techniques to relax my wife and help her labor including: massage, breathing, music, positions, etc. She will also help me assist my wife and show me pressure points, and various techniques as well. She will also help wherever we need whether it be getting us drinks/food, communicating with our family in the waiting room, taking pics, getting nurse etc. This will allow me to focus on my wife and not worrying about the small things.

She is also knowledgable and can provide guidance if we have questions for our medical staff. My wife wishes to not use medication if possible and the doula will try to support that however if she changes her mind the doula will help her make the best decision for her and the baby.

Our doula also provides post partum support and breast feeding support so that will be beneficial for my wife. A great site is dona.org

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Yes, I used a doula for the birth of my first child. I was really scared, and don't trust doctors at all. I don't have that close a relationship with my mom, and wasn't sure if I wanted her there for the birth. My husband was there, and attended all the birth preparation classes with me, but I thought I might need more help than that. I was hoping for a completely natural birth, but ended up needing Stadol. I had intense back labor and my labor was not regular and steady. It came in waves. The best thing the doula did for me was to act as an intermediary between the doctors and nurses and midwife and myself. She would run over and find someone to help us or ask them to check my progress, etc.

Overall, I don't think it was really worth it to have her. My husband did a fantastic job as my labor coach, and my mom ended up coming and I let her stay, and she did a good job helping, too. So, the doula really was just one more body in the room, and I really didn't think I needed her. If I didn't have my husband or my mom there, I think I would have relied on her more.

Yes, I think my husband and my mom were both really glad the doula was there. It gave them more confidence in what they were doing, helping me with the breathing techniques to get through each wave of contractions, and getting me through until it was time to push and deliver my baby.

She also took pictures, and kept a timeline of events for us, which was nice.

Answer 3

I did not ever use one but I watch the Baby shows all the time and the Doula is basically for the Mother. I think it is a good thing especially if you do not have your Mother or Mom-in-law or any older woman of your family to help you.

Keep in mind the Doulas in most states are not licenses and they are not Midwives, doctors, nurses or medical people. Some have no medical training at all but they are there for the comfort of the Mother.

Answer 4

I have never used a Doula but I am using a Midwife for this pregnancy...A doula is a non-medical assistant in prenatal care, childbirth and during the postpartum period. Labor support doulas are trained and experienced labor support persons who attend to the emotional and physical comfort needs of laboring women to smooth the labor process. They do not perform clinical tasks such as heart rate checks, or vaginal exams but rather use massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, positioning suggestions, etc., to help labor progress as well as possible. A labor support doula joins a laboring woman either at her home or in hospital or birth center and remains with her until a few hours after the birth. In addition to emotional support, doulas work as advocates of their client’s wishes and may assist in communicating with medical staff to obtain information for the client to make informed decisions regarding medical procedures.

Answer 5

inspite of an epidural a doula is useful, they're no longer only to objective to avert an epidural - they coach you in a way that your relations or your husband/better 1/2 can no longer. For my husband and that i our doula helped him stay with me emotionally and be supportive in a way the position i became no longer stressful about him or mad at him. She also became waiting to provide me self assurance in my potential to provide beginning, the 2d time, vaginally. and inspite of an epidural it may damage or be uncomfortable, a minimum of the excellent epidurals take the sting of the discomfort down yet do no longer thoroughly numb you. i imagine that having a doula the first time would have helped me no longer strive against the contractions and that i'd have prevented a c-section. that's as a lot as you, i imagine it became a sensible and useful funding for my relations. do exactly somewhat interviews with quite a few and attempt to locate someone who you're gentle with and supportive of what you elect.

Answer 6

My doula was AWSOME!!

She advocated 100% for whatever I wanted, made sure my birthing plan was adhered too, and gave my husband a much needed break as my labor was extremely long!

Answer 7

i had a doula and she was GREAT!..but i ended up having to have an emergency c-section!..but everything was ok!..Good luck!