Recently I've begun to think perhaps I should have looked into having a doula. I love my obgyn and trust her completely, but as I am starting to look at the sections in my pregnancy book on labor and delivery, I'm getting a bit nervous. I would prefer to have a natural vaginal delivery. My husband has concerns about pitocin and we would like to avoid its use. I read that doulas may help to ease labor and reduce the time spent in labor. A friend of a friend had a baby a few weeks ago, naturally, and was in labor for 48 hours! Is it too late to contact someone now? What are the typical costs and services? If you had a doula, how did you discuss it with your doctor?
Thanks so much. Any advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you all so much for your advice. My husband and I talked it over and thought alot about it and decided to seek someone. We found someone whom we really like and I feel much better already. We've opted to go with some pre-natal and some post natal supoort since I am further along and am also planning to breastfeed. I am going to give the dr. a heads up that we've decided to add a doula as a support at my next visit.
K.:
it is not to late....
call Birthways, Inc... 888 506 0607
look online at www.birthlink.com
P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
K.,
If you plan on having a vaginal delivery in a hospital with a doctor, I STRONGLY recommend getting a doula. They can be your sounding board and advocate should your dr. try to use an intervention (pitocin, c-section, etc.). I was so happy I had a doula, she was here while I labored for four days (not the whole time) and was SUCH support for my husband during that time. Please contact Birthways and ask for Barbara Belcore-Walkden. She was my doula, and is also in midwifery school. She is wonderful and I highly recommend her. :) Have you taken a natural birth class too? I would recommend a Bradley class. It helped us tremendously, educated us on what to expect, took the unknown out of decisions we would have to make, and was the best thing we did. It's not too late! I recommend Chanda in Oak Park!
If you'd like to PM me, please feel free.
Good luck with your birth! I hope it is all you want it to be!
yes yes yes get a doula - it's not too late. if you want a natural birth then having good labor support is really key. my mom was my doula (she's a midwife by training) so i cant comment on costs, but there are many good clinical studies showing that doulas lower your likelihood to request pain medication, lower your risk of any and all interventions including c-section, shorten labor, and improve outcomes. Do it. Also pick up a copy of "The Birth Partner" by Penny Simkin, since this will help you and your husband prepare for the birth, and can help your husband be good labor support for you. Good luck! FYI I didn't discuss it with my doc at all - I told her that my husband and mother, who was acting as my doula, would be attending the birth and that was that. I had a great natural vaginal birth with my last (a VBAC - my first was a scheduled c-section due to breech presentation) and my labor was about 12 hours from start to finish - only about 8 hours were anything to write home about :)
Hi K.,
Congratulations!
It's not too late to find a doula.
Rates fluctuate depending on experience and certification. An independent doula works for YOU, not your caregiver. You should also think about taking a good childbirth education class to help you understand the labor and birth process and your options.
Good luck!
A. Burns, LCCE, CD(DONA)
Birth Talk
www.birthtalk.com
