Considering a doula - first child, no judgement please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a doula for my labor pre-COVID, and it was the best money we spent for the pregnancy. She came to our home for the last few hours of labor before we went to the hospital. Laboring at home for longer was helpful, because my labor definitely slowed down when we first got to the hospital. The doula was also very helpful for my husband. He was a deer in the headlights and completely overwhelmed by the labor experience. The doula gave him instructions that helped ease his anxiety and let him support me in a way he couldn’t in his own.

Doulas also usually offer a lot of phone/email support during pregnancy, so if you’re anxious, they will send you some curated research/articles along with their own experiences, and save you from falling down a Google wormhole.

And my doula didn’t have any agenda to push. I recommended my doula to a friend who had a very different birth plan, and the doula was supportive and professional with both of our very different births. You just interview to find someone you mesh with. I knew that my style was not “earth mama” and I preferred someone with a science background who could look at the research with me during pregnancy.

Could you recommend this person if you are in the area? Fellow creamy not crunchy here with a VERY anxious DH. Thanks!

I'm not this PP, but I went with Ursula Subink (spelling?). I am very wary of anything with the faintest whiff of patchouli, and she didn't bring any of that into the room. She's very to the point, but we found that reassuring, and she kept DH involved and busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a doula for my labor pre-COVID, and it was the best money we spent for the pregnancy. She came to our home for the last few hours of labor before we went to the hospital. Laboring at home for longer was helpful, because my labor definitely slowed down when we first got to the hospital. The doula was also very helpful for my husband. He was a deer in the headlights and completely overwhelmed by the labor experience. The doula gave him instructions that helped ease his anxiety and let him support me in a way he couldn’t in his own.

Doulas also usually offer a lot of phone/email support during pregnancy, so if you’re anxious, they will send you some curated research/articles along with their own experiences, and save you from falling down a Google wormhole.

And my doula didn’t have any agenda to push. I recommended my doula to a friend who had a very different birth plan, and the doula was supportive and professional with both of our very different births. You just interview to find someone you mesh with. I knew that my style was not “earth mama” and I preferred someone with a science background who could look at the research with me during pregnancy.

Could you recommend this person if you are in the area? Fellow creamy not crunchy here with a VERY anxious DH. Thanks!

I'm not this PP, but I went with Ursula Subink (spelling?). I am very wary of anything with the faintest whiff of patchouli, and she didn't bring any of that into the room. She's very to the point, but we found that reassuring, and she kept DH involved and busy.

Many "non-cruncy" doulas out there:

Family Ways in Rockville area
Doula Care of Maryland
Odile Penet
Maryland Birth Services

All which we interviewed for our Sibley c/s birth. We really appreciated the extra guidance and help on the day of the c/s. Not sure for the normal experience, but we didn't know what we were headed towards when we went through the interviews.

[Anonymous]

I just had my 2nd a few months ago and had my Birth Doula from Balanced Bellies work Virtually with me during pregnancy and then virtually for the birth. It was so helpful. She shared knowledge and position changes. Reminders. Also, she was the only one I could see with out a mask which was so nice because everyone in masks was a little daunting and not as exciting. My doula I could see her facial expressions. Now I am working with them with a PostPartum doula and it has been such a different experience than the first time around with no doula. This was much more positive!

[Anonymous]

I had a doula and ended up having to have a planned C section. She was great except couldn't be with me for C. I highly recommend getting one so you have someone you can be real with, dump on, etc.