Do I Need a Doula?

[Anonymous]

I am going to be giving birth at Loudoun Hospital with the Loudoun Community Midwives, and we're about to start Bradley classes. My question is, do I need to hire a doula? I will have a midwife with me the whole time, unless someone else goes into labor at the same time, in which case they go back and forth. I REALLY want a natural birth if possible. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I would ask your midwife whether people usually use a doula in addition to her. I am having a homebirth and asked my midwife if most of her clients hired doulas and she said no b/c she would be there the whole time and she also brings a birth assistant who is a doula as well. Things might be different in a hospital setting, but your midwife should give you an honest answer about what will be necessary or helpful in addition to her.

[Anonymous]

I am a doula and attend births at Loudoun with the midwives regularly. You would be surprised at how often they have other moms in labor. More often than not, it is just the laboring couple and I. More and more women are choosing to go with them which is wonderful but it also spreads them thin at the same time. I would look into having a doula with you.

[Anonymous]

I would assess after a few of your Bradley classes to see how your husband and you feel about the need.

[HrCreuzi]

Doula's are fantastic no matter the situation. They can be one more set of massaging hands or one more comforting voice.

Also, they're so wonderful at running and getting you what you (or anyone else) needs.

[jloukiss]

We are also thinking about hiring a doula for labor and delivery, and also perhaps for some post partum help. The question is, can we afford both? Can anyone give us an idea of what doula services for labor and delivery cost? How about post partum?

Thanks!!
Jennifer

[HrCreuzi]

Check out DONA to find more info out about Doulas andhow to find one in your area.

In the midwest we paid $400 for unlimited phone and email support, her to be there for however long during labor and a postpartum appointment. Each doula offers slightly different services. The important thing is to find one you connect with and like.

http://www.dona.org/

[Anonymous]

If you use a doula who is in training (they have to attend 3 births to be certified) it is usually free. The birth options alliance listserve usually has postings of doulas in training who will provide free services. The birth options alliance website is www.birthoptionsalliance.org and they have a link there for how to join their yahoo listserve.

[Anonymous]

OP - I am TTC right now, but recently switched to the same Midwives practice so when the time comes I'll be all set. I want to deliver at Loudoun as well as have a natural childbirth (well, at least that's what I'm shooting for). I am still planning to hire a doula. I figure I will need all the help I can get. Plus, there is always the chance someone else will deliver at the same time as me and the midwife will be going back and forth. My thought is if I plan the best I am able on my end for the support I know I'll need, I'll be more likely able to have a natural childbirth.

[Anonymous]

I am looking for a woman who has used any of the above professionals for birth and/or help at home after birth for an article I am writing.
I am a fellow mom and this article will be published locally and intended to help local moms understand the function of doulas, mid-wives, lactation consultants, night nannies, baby nurses, etc.

Email me if you would be open to chatting about your experience using a doula, or baby nurse, or night nanny, or mid-wife for that matter.
thanks! Jessica [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

jloukiss wrote: Can anyone give us an idea of what doula services for labor and delivery cost?

Around here they cost from $500 for hospital-only service to $1200 for full service including phone support and prenatal visits. Well worth every penny when you consider they cut your chances of a cesarean in half. That's like what you would save by getting a used jogging stroller rather than a higher-end new one.

You can get a doula-in-training for less than $200, maybe even as low as $100. Ask your childbirth educator or midwives how to find one. You could probably even email a couple area doulas and they would put you in touch with student doulas.

[Anonymous]

OP here- we did decide to hire a doula for our July birth, and we're feeling pretty good about the decision based on other people's experiences. We're paying $500, which includes two prenatal visits and 1 postpartum visit, as well as the birth itself.