*Trying* to find overnight nurse/doula

[Anonymous]

I'm having twins and my MIL has generously offered to "gift" us a night nurse/doula for after the babies arrive. Of course I want to take her up on this because we will be desperate for the help, I'm sure. I have a few recommendations from friends but the problem is I can't seem to get anyone to call me back! I've contacted 4 different people and no return calls/emails.

It might have something to do with the weather or people are just busy but the babies are due in April and I'm kind of freaking out that it's too late at this point.

Any advice or suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the Birth Options Alliance list of postpartum doulas? Here is the link. You have to scroll through the birth doulas to get to the postpartum ones.
http://www.birthoptionsalliance.org/doula_list.pdf

Also my friend Mary is a postpartum doula. She knows lots of other postpartum doulas in this area. She is on that list that I linked to. If you contact her, I am sure she would be happy to give you some suggestions. She isn't working right now because she has a newborn herself but is great about helping clients connect with other doulas.

Good luck and congrats on your twins!

[Anonymous]

15:09 again -- Mary's last name is Bailey...so that you can find her on that list

[Anonymous]

Are you in Mont County or Dc- if so you should join MCPOM- www.mcpom.org. There was just a post on that forum all about night nannies.

[Anonymous]

OP here--I am in DC but I am a member of the NoVA POM club where I got many of my resources. It's not a matter of having names, it's a matter of getting anyone to call me back! Maybe if they are booked up, they don't return calls? I just wonder if anyone else has had this experience?
I'll try Mary Bailey and see if she has some resources for me.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP but I am also due with twins in April in DC & am having the exact same problem. I feel like I am going crazy calling these nurses & then they never call back, or the few that have called back want $400/nt and have strange requests (eg. must have their own bathroom, one will not even share the twins bathroom which i found odd, considering I don't really think newborn twins will actually be using "their" bathroom), etc!

[Anonymous]

OP again--21:36, I'm glad that I'm not alone (well, not glad that you're having trouble) ! I was starting to take it personally! We could get together and start a whole daycare--maybe then we could find someone to work with us.

But I am actually glad to read your comment because now I will prep myself for the strange requests. We only have one bathroom so *that* should be interesting!! Congrats on your twins too!

[Anonymous]

Call Jennifer Benjamin at 301-587-1070. She is awesome. Very reliable, no weird requests. Extensive experience with twins and triplets. I act as a reference for her, so if you call her, she may give you my name. I used her for my twins. She is great, great, great! She is not a doula. She is a night nurse. Just leave a message and she will call you back.

[Anonymous]

I'm also expecting twins in May, and was about to post about might nurses when I saw this post. How much do they ask for per night? how long do most twin mom use them? thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hi moms,
NOVA area night nurse here (for twins too) and now I'm expecting!

Were are you located in DC? I might have a few recommendations for you.

[Anonymous]

23:02 here. we're in Chevy chase

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:23:02 here. we're in Chevy chase

Hi mom, I'm 23 24.
I have a friend that works in Chevy Chase area, I'll ask her if she's available in May.
She has worked with twins

What kind of help you're looking for?
Do you need someone to help with the babies through the night or you need the night nurse to completely take over childcare while you get a full night of sleep?
Do you expect any child related chores to be accomplished? How long shifts do you need?
Are you looking for FT help or only a few nights a week?
The more specific you get the easier it is to find a match...

[Anonymous]

So strange that your calls are not getting returned!! The only thing I can think of is they are likely sleeping during the day because they work all night, but still, that's no excuse not to return calls within a few days.

I am a newborn specialist/ night nurse based in Ohio. If I didn't return calls/emails I'd never work! It is a tad-bit last minute if you are due in April but, you should still be okay. If anyone wants a fantastic, highly experienced night nurse for Mid April onward feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I do travel nationwide. (I’m 5.5 hrs from DC.) I'd be willing to do around the clock care or nights, as long as you have a quiet place for me to rest during breaks/ off duty times.
My website is www.themodernbabynurse.com. All my contact info is listed on my site. Best wishes to everyone!
Jennifer
The Modern Baby Nurse

[Anonymous]

Check out motherandbabymatters.com. I used them when I had twins MANY years ago. It is an agency, but both of the people I had from there were great.

[Anonymous]

I used a terrific baby nurse 6 months ago, after having my twin boys. Her name is Stacy. she was wonderful,experienced and knowledgeable.her email is [e-mail].