Nurse team at Sibley and working with a doula

[Anonymous]

I've been mulling over whether to hire birth doula support for awhile and still can't decide. I'm not totally convinced it's something I need but of course there's also the FOMO, hah – first timer here. Hospital will be Sibley, and I'd love to hear about others' experiences working with and/or relying on the nurse team there during L&D vs. enlisting additional support via a doula. What was your experience? What factors to consider? Would you do things differently?

My partner will be the family support person present and does not feeling strongly about having additional support from a doula – basically leaving it up to me.

[Anonymous]

The nurses were great but I wouldn’t consider that I relied on them rather than the doula. I relied on my partner to know my preferences and wishes and to advocate for me. I knew I could count on him bc he is familiar with the medical setting (Eg not afraid to speak up, see blood, converse about medical care) and bc we spoke about birth planning so much ahead of time.
As I was unmedicated, the pain was too great to speak or act so gratefully, he did that for me.

If my husband was a but more clueless in this realm, and/or if expense was no issue at all, I may have hired a doula. I was better off spending that money on a post partum doula as we needed sleep and care in the first month.

[Anonymous]

I had two unmedicated births at Sibley with a doula and I recommend asking exactly what the doula provides. The first doula I used didn't do much, and I think I didn't ask the right questions. I think her strength was she kept me home very long, so by the time i got to the hospital i didn't have much left to do. I would ask exactly what she will bring to the birth, if anything, and to talk you through what she does during a birth- or ask her to share a recent experience and her role. I also didn't have much interaction with the doula before the birth, so it did feel a little like a stranger was watching me during a very intense experience.

I had a great experience with the second doula I had, but my husband is convinced she also didn't do much. But it all turned out well and i did appreciate her support. I found the nursing staff to be supportive too, but they were in and out of the room (understandably).

[Anonymous]

I had a great experience with the nurses at Sibley in February, and I never felt like I lacked for support or guidance (my husband is also pretty proactive). But it all depends on your circumstances - I had an induction and a medicated birth. It took two days and I definitely would not have wanted a stranger hanging out with us during that time. And because I did get an epidural and had to stay in bed after they put it in, I don’t think there’s anything a doula could have done that the nurses didn’t handle. Also, FWIW, I had a vaginal birth and never had any pressure to move to a c-section (which I know is one common concern). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a great experience with the nurses at Sibley in February, and I never felt like I lacked for support or guidance (my husband is also pretty proactive). But it all depends on your circumstances - I had an induction and a medicated birth. It took two days and I definitely would not have wanted a stranger hanging out with us during that time. And because I did get an epidural and had to stay in bed after they put it in, I don’t think there’s anything a doula could have done that the nurses didn’t handle. Also, FWIW, I had a vaginal birth and never had any pressure to move to a c-section (which I know is one common concern). Good luck!

New poster- I don't love the idea of a stranger either so haven't hired a doula, but my husband isn't very proactive. I've told him he'll need to be my advocate while there and he says of course but tell me in advance what you want and I'm a ftm and have no idea. What is it I should prep him for?

[Anonymous]

I had three births at Sibley — all with an epidural. I trusted my OB (I had an induction all three times and was able to schedule it with my OB of choice at the practice). I couldn’t have imagined having a stranger there — it was already a lot with the nurses, doctor, and my husband in the room. If I had wanted an unmediated birth I could see having felt differently.

[Anonymous]

I had a scheduled induction at Sibley on 2021. The nurses were GREAT and even offered additional positions and props to help me through labor. However, I ended up with complications and it was scary. I needed a more proactive advocate than my husband could be (who was pulled in two directions between me and baby who also needed medical attention). I am actually considering a doula for baby #2 when/if it happens. I think if you can afford it, a doula doesn’t hurt, but be sure you like her communication style, etc. I know someone who had a rather disappointing experience with one because they did not see eye to eye on some things.

[Anonymous]

I had a great experience with the nurses at Sibley, but they do rotate out every 12ish hours so if you have a long labor you will not have the same continuity you would have with a doula. That being said, I did not have a doula and did not feel like I needed one.

[Anonymous]

Go for it. The nurses won’t be with you the whole time and they wanted DH to hold a leg. He did not want to. If you Have a doula, she will be there the whole time.

[Anonymous]

It’s pretty traumatic no matter what, and there’s a lot you can’t plan for. If you’re not trying to do unmedicated or anything unusual, I think just trusting the nurses and doctors is the most logical choice.

[Anonymous]

I had a doula who was helpful in the sense of providing counterpressure massage during labor, giving concrete suggestions for breathing and pain management, etc. The nurses are good, but they aren't there the whole time. Mine checked on me every once in a while and that was about it. The doula also stayed with me when they took the baby over to weigh, etc., so my husband could go with the baby.

[Anonymous]

A lot of doulas dont like working at Sibley.