Good morning all. Has anyone here ever used a doula? Any advice or guidance? X
Doula?: Good morning all. Has anyone... - Pregnancy and Par...
Doula?
16 Replies
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I’ve never used a doula but a friend of mine who moved back to Singapore is one, not sure I’m of much help actually 😂 If they are all like her then she seems very clued up on helping women make the decision that they feel is right for them and helping them in birth. If you do choose to use one I hope you find a good one x
in reply to Lovefood1984
Thank you. I have no idea. Someone told me I should get one so I thought I would do some independent research. Judging from the replies not many people know about them. X
ALLY81 in reply to
Ive not had experience its up to you at the end if the day if you feel you can trust someone to give you guidence before and during the birth or you put your trust in another birthing partner and the midwives i personally found the midwives excellent during labour im not sure how much a doula would cost ???
I personally wouldnt want anybody extra in the room with me (unless a home birth ) and not sure how hubby would feel (not that he was ANY help whatsover in any of my labours!!! Bless him !) Unless you didn't want
them at labour and just before hand maybe just see if there was some birthing classes to help prepare maybe arrange to meet one? Xxxx
Lovefood1984 in reply to
I have a feeling they are more popular in some cultures but that they are growing in use in the UK. I guess for me the only benefit is they are constantly with you whereas midwives pop in and out, however they are not medically trained so perhaps as long as your birth partner is supportive and knows what you want then they may be of little use and make your partner feel awkward 🤷♀️ For my birth I was too busy concentrating on how I felt and what was going on internally vs whether they had popped out or not 😂 It’s not something I considered but no harm in looking into. Also if you would like someone at the birth during the whole thing see if you can get a student midwife, I’ve heard they don’t pop in and out and observe all of the birth. I would of had one but changed hospitals so they one attached to my GP surgery wasn’t working there otherwise she wanted to be at my birth for training 😀 Best of luck whatever you decide x
If you've got a good midwife then I'm not sure how much they would add. I don't know if I would want loads of people in the room all telling me what to do.
In NZ you choose your midwife and she is with you all the way through including at the birth and afterwards so I don't think a doula is needed. I'm not sure it is like that in the UK so I guess you could get whoever is on shift at the hospital. Having someone familiar may help then.
How is the pregnancy going anyway?
x
in reply to Mantaray75
I am daring to think all ok thanks. Today is the start of week 16. So surreal. I have a wee bump but not felt movemt yet (I think). How are you?? Xx
Mantaray75 in reply to
I didn’t get movement until nearly 23 weeks. I’m coming up to 30 weeks this week which is crazy. Just started buying stuff but it still feels weird. Glad things are going well for you. X
in reply to Mantaray75
Oh wow. 30 weeks already! That's amazing. I have bought a pram but that was such a January sale bargain it would have been silly not to ha ha.
Nothing else yet. It just seems too early x
My NCT practitioner is also a doula. She’s fantastic and if I was going to use one then I would chose her. However she’s given me and my husband all the information and tools we need for coping with the birth during the NCT sessions so I don’t feel like I will need any further guidance. If you are well prepared, feeling confident and have a good birthing partner you should be ok. The doulas role is to create the right environment for birthing, look after you and communicate your wishes to the medical staff supporting you, but your birthing partner could also be the person who does all these things for you. My advice would be to write your birthing plan considering all scenarios; your ideal delivery, then what you want if you can’t have that, eg if you wanted a pool but their isn’t one available, whether you’d be willing to be induced if it’s suggested, the procedures you’d be willing to have (and perhaps more importantly which ones you don’t want), what kind of pain relief you want and don’t want etc. Once you have it all planned and in writing make sure your birth partner is totally up to speed so that they can be your voice and ensure you have the birth you want. If you don’t feel confident that you can rely on your birthing partner perhaps a doula is a good idea to give you peace of mind, it really depends on your circumstances and personal feelings. Good luck-I hope it all goes well x
I had doula at my birth last March. But one one of the reason we got one is because we live in Berlin now and me not my husband speak German. So our doula could help communicate with hospice stuff. I’m private person and I didn’t really like the idea of having someone at birth with me. But when my labor progress, our doula came to our house and help me deal with labor pain. She helped me with pain (massage, position, bath etc), when to go to hospital, and identified plug cane out etc... it was my first birth and I though it was really good to have someone who’s know what to do. But I think it’s really personal choice!
Yes I’m really thinking about one but then saw the price!
My local ones charge over £1000!
in reply to
I guess as others have said to me, I need to work out what I want, if I need anything and then speak about that along with cost. I have been quoted £1500 which is a huge expense when we have everything else to pay for. A slightly longer and more painful labour it may have to be x
I have only just worked out what one is...I think anyway. I have never heard of it before xx
Hi there, not sure if you went ahead and hired your own doula - we did as I always felt it was the right thing to do - found one via Doula UK although you can also search on NCT website. It's been most helpful so far and we hope to have a positive experience during labour and post-natally also. Our doula used to be a midwife so her clinical experience and advice has been most beneficial. Additionally, although you pay for her time/service, she's been able to loan us a lot of equipment, i.e. TENS machine, books, homeopathy kit for childbirth, birth balls etc. - all of this would come at extra cost otherwise. Good luck!
in reply to Esme78
Thanks Esme, I didn't in the end. I do go to yoga, kinesiology, and acupuncture. I am also listening to hypnobirthing info and feel very calm about the birth and after. I am very lucky to feel comfortable with the midwife team and support network I have. And £1500 was just too much on top of everything else.
Xx
Esme78 in reply to
That's fair enough and understandable. Our doula is £800 - prices clearly do vary! Yes, I've been doing acupuncture also, and hypnobirthing affirmations too. I finished ante natal yoga 2 weeks ago. xx
