Anonymous wrote:Spent a boatload on a doula and then ended up with a scheduled c-section. We knew there was a chance I would have a c-section and was aware that contractually she was not obligated to do anything in that situation, but she ended up making a lot of money for very little work (except some support pre-delivery). If I were in her shoes I would have returned some of the money.
+1 sort of
I showed up at the hospital 10 cm dilated and my doula did not get there in time. I was pushing when she got there, so she was not let in the delivery room. However, I wish she had been there because the doc on call made it a horrible birth experience and it should not have been. So, it was a waste because she was not there. If she had been there, she would have been worth every penny. So, in general, I don't think they are a waste of money, but it in certain circumstances, like mine and the poster above, it probably was a waste.