doula

[nicole179]

i am about to leave work to head to my consultation with a doula i want to hire for my delivery.  i am so excited at the thought that i might be able to hire her.  she has a sliding fee, and also runs a program for women to get certified to become doulas.  there fore if i can not afford her she can atleast connect me with one of the 2nd year students that need to attend so many live births for their certification.  a student is only like $50 to cover their gas, where the doula is 300-600. which unfortuantely is alot to us right now, but she said she would be willing to work with me, i am just excited at the thought of having a coach there with us the whole time.  at first i thought my boyfriend might be upset at the thought, but i actually think he is releaved that not all the "pressure" will be on him.

[Tanker Chic]

It is hard for me to imagine how the whole thing works out.. during my son's birth it was just me and DH, and I would worry that if there was another person there, either DH or the Doula would be a third wheel.

I'm sure I'm missing the big picture tho.. can someone fill me in..

[chantal21]

A doula sounds great! I had my mom, my husband, the midwife and her 2 assistants at my son's birth. The one assistant/midwife was awesome and was always there to keep me focused. I am pretty sure she will be at this baby's birth to assist or to be the head midwife since my midwife is going away near the end of sept. We'll see.
I would go with the student as well! They need practice and it will be so great to have extra support!

[JoyRenee]

Doulas are awesome. Never had a "real" one but my MIL should become one! She was amazing.

I'd go for the student! They need the experience and you'll be saving money!