To Doula or not to Doula?

[NicMom]

So keep hearing about doulas and how they assist a mother in childbirth. Some insurance companies will even pay for them although I have no idea why. Does anyone have experience using a doula? I'm wondering how you find a good one, how far along in the pregnancy should you contact them, and what can they do to help you?

[amberd5191]

I'm with you NicMom no doula. :)

[NicMom]

I opted for no doula. In the end it just seemed silly for me having already become familar with the pain associated with childbirth. What's she going to do? Instead my dh and I are taking a series of classes that help you to practice relaxation and breathing tricks not to ease the pain, but keep you focused. I really think in the end that's all you can ask for.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

Well, if a woman decides a doula is right for them, then I say, by all means, go for it!!

But for me, this is my 6th time.  And it hurts everytime.  And none of the breathing techniques, finding a focal point on the wall to stare at, etc. help me.  It just plain ole hurts.  In all honesty, I feel like punching people at the height of my pain.  LOL!  So, I know it wouldn't help me.  And no matter who has been on duty when I have given birth, all of the nurses have been really helpful and there's no one I would rather have than my husband.

But with all that being said, everyone is different.  So having another supportive female presence, for some women, may make all the difference in the world :)

[lmc2132]

I am raising this thread again--just wondering if anyone had made a decision on the doula question.  I am thinking it might take pressure off DH to coach me through (and really what does DH know about it anyway?)  Here is some evidence that makes me want to interview 1 or 2 to see how I feel:

"Studies show that the presence of a doula-a woman trained to give nonmedical support during labor and delivery-can have positive results when a mother gives birth without the support of a partner or family. But what if the dad is on hand? Researchers recruited 420 middle-class women planning to give birth at a Cleveland hospital with the father there. Upon arriving for delivery, 224 were randomly assigned to receive the continued support of a doula, whose role included staying near, touching, and making eye contact with the laboring mother as well as teaching, reassuring, and encouraging both mom and dad. Compared to the control group, doula-assisted mothers requested fewer epidurals and had fewer cesarean deliveries. (The cesarean rate was decreased even more in those women that were induced with a doula present.) In questionnaires after delivery, both moms and dads gave the doula's presence clearly positive ratings."

Source: Birth 35 (2008): 92-97.

[mburnz]

I had a doula my first pregnancy, and she basically discouraged any medicine/epidural... so I had my first child NATURALLY!  Second pregnancy I had an epidural, and that is the way to go, unless of course you want to experience a natural childbirth.  Third pregnancy, I will definately have an epidural!

[YvetteY]

I wanted to look for a little more info on a doula...here's an interesting link:
http://www.*****************.org/labornbirth/havingadoula.html

So maybe if you don't think you will have enough support during your labor and delivery, it sounds like a good concept.

[YvetteY]

I think that's what they are too....a coach.  To offer support and encouragement during the delivery.   I know I would do it if  I got the doula to come home with me for the first month or two!!  But during the L&D...I don't know that I really need it.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I could be totally wrong, but I think they are there more as a coach than anything.  Like I said, I think.....And I am sure you could start looking now if that is how you want to go.  But if it is just for coaching purposes and you have your husband going to the birthing classes with you, he would be your coach I suppose.....Again, I am just guess on their purpose but I think it is just for coaching purposes.