Doulas?

[shan]

I took The Bradley Method classes through my pregnancy with DD1. I was completely committed to a med free birth.

In reality - I labored for 33.5 hours and ended up with an epidural. I don't necessarily regret it, but I want to experience a med free birth. This is likely our last baby... So this is my final opportunity to give it another go.

We interviewed a doula today that we both like a lot. Does anyone have experience with a doula? Anything I should be sure to ask before signing the contract? Did you have a positive experience? Do you felt like it helped? Any words of wisdom would be helpful.

[lakecountrygal]

No help here because IMHO I don't think they are worth it. As much as I'd love my last birth to be med free with a second kid on the way I feel like money needs to go elsewhere and our insurance won't cover it.

[regal]

We strongly considered it with our second but decided against it. I do wish I had one with my first because I had no idea what I was doing.

With number two I knew what to expect and what I liked. DH was also more comfortable.

I figured if I could push a 9lb baby out on my back and not being able to feel anything that I would be able to go med free at home.

DS1. home to hospital,24 hours, 2.5 hours pushing, pitocin, epidural, manual turning of baby, vacuum and two tears with stitches.

DS2 2.5h, 5 pushes home water birth, one slight tear, no stitches.

[microworm]

I'm not considering a doula so no help there but regal I'm curious about your home birth. Did some sort of professional attend the birth or was it just you and your H?

[athn64]

I think someone was talking doulas a couple months ago. We won't be using one. I feel comfortable enough this second go round to know what I want.

That being said, make sure you like the person you hire and feel like they will advocate for you.

[broadwaymama]

I have had 2 med free births and I don't really see the need for a doula if you have a good support system. My husband and I both read "husband coached childbirth" it Is a Bradley book. I felt this left him very informed as well as our Lamaze class. Also my midwives are amazing coaches too. However I will say, with my first the hospital staff kept pressuring me to get an epi and the docs/nurses would ask every time they came in if I was ready for one. Finally DH and my midwife pulled the doctor aside and said "stop asking her. If she wants it she will ask for it" and they left me alone. My second the midwife stayed with me the whole time and it was never even brought up. I could see it being an issue if maybe you were not using someone who cares if you are medicated or not. For instance, the first time if my husband, midwife, and I were not all on the same page then they would not have advocated for me.

[dontstopbelievin]

goodbyecb.proboards.com/thread/78093/doulas

Here's a link to the previous thread. We used a doula and loved her. I think we will again this time.

Ask to speak to references.

[sandandsea]

I think it totally depends on your support team and what you are comfortable with. I didn't get one last time and won't this time either. DH and I did do the childbirth class and felt very prepared going into delivery. I was induced due to pre-E at 40.5 weeks (was 3 cm when checking in but no contractions) and ended up with an epi 6 hours after they started pitocin.

My hospital was/is also very good at listening to moms and all of the nurses were very supportive of my decisions and never tried to lead me in any direction. It was all totally up to me. I know not all hospitals are like this, but mine was really great and I think doctors often get a bad rap unfairly.

[Flair Underwood]

sandandsea, once they start pitocin, all bets are off in terms of epis. There is NO way anyone can prepare you for that level of misery.

[littleducky]

The hospital where I am delivering has volunteer doulas. Sometimes you get good ones and sometimes you don't. I got lucky last time and got an amazing doula. I am probably going to use the volunteer doula program again.

[regal]

Feb 1, 2016 10:35:04 GMT -5 microworm said:

I'm not considering a doula so no help there but regal I'm curious about your home birth. Did some sort of professional attend the birth or was it just you and your H?

We have publicly funded midwives here. You either have an OB or a midwife. Only low risk women qualify.

I would never do an unassisted birth.

[broadwaymama]

Flair Underwood my water broke with DS but I didn't go into labor so they basically induced me. They put me up to the second to last highest dosage of pitocin then took me off because I was finally contracting on my own. No epi! Come on you can do it

[broadwaymama]

That is so cool regal !!! I would LOVE to do a home birth!

[regal]

Feb 1, 2016 20:59:10 GMT -5 broadwaymama said:

That is so cool regal !!! I would LOVE to do a home birth!

DS2's birth was so incredible I'm afraid I've peaked at awesome birth experiences and now I'm doomed.

I highly recommend a birthing pool; I'm convinced it made all the difference. 

[broadwaymama]

Feb 1, 2016 21:04:54 GMT -5 regal said:

Feb 1, 2016 20:59:10 GMT -5 broadwaymama said:

That is so cool regal !!! I would LOVE to do a home birth!

DS2's birth was so incredible I'm afraid I've peaked at awesome birth experiences and now I'm doomed.

I highly recommend a birthing pool; I'm convinced it made all the difference. 

Both my prior deliveries were waterbirths. I loved being in the water! It's my plan for this one as well.