Has anyone had a doula?

[Jenni6485]

Okay, so I have been given the opportunity to have a doula to help with the last few days of my pregnancy, and help me postpardum. I dont know anyone who has ever had one, and I havnt heard of a doula until now.
I understand that they're supposed to help out in having a natural birth, and that is what I intend on... I'm just looking for some personal experiences from some of you so I know if I want her or not.
Thanks so much!
Jen

[ErickaRN]

Good luck with your delivery.  I am a labor and delivery nurse and can tell you that having a doula, from what I have seen, is wonderful.  They give you the support and extra help your dh or support person may not be able to give you.  Also if you are del at a big hospital the nurses are usually quite busy and don't always have the extra time to do all of the great alt. birth methods that are avail.  Please remember to stay open to all posibilities and don't get discouraged. Also if you are planning on going naturally try to stay at home as long as safe and possible, being in your own environment helps.  Eat at home before you come, most hospitals give you clear liq. only.  Good luck!!

[AMA17]

Just want to say BEST OF LUCK TO YOU! I've been reading about your progress here on the site and I am very  excited for you and your new baby girl, I'm sure everything will go perfectly!  Good luck!

[mewantbaby]

My advice is to try squatting ... if you are having any trouble pushing the baby out.  It is so much more natural and you have gravity on your side.  I pushed for two hours with my first with no real progress.  Then two pushes in the squatting position and I could feel his head.

That is my two cents.  Best of luck.

[AndiJ78]

www.babycenter.com has a great pre made form for your birthing plan that give you an idea of what to expect and ask for. Honestly, I have 2 kids and nevered needed to use it. I knew what I wanted and they were very accomodating, my only major request was to never use foreceps and to allow as much time as possible before offering a c-section. I was very flexible with most things and you will find that is the best way to enter it, just in case circumstances change that alter your perception of the perfect delivery ; )

Andi

PS
I have heard wonderful things about doulas, jump on the chance if presented!!

[Red_Rose]

Firstly all the best for you and hubby with the new baby, remember breath! lol

Ive never had a doula and Id never heard of one until I started watching discovery home and health and it looks great! They help you with the little things that help like washing up when ur nakerd and bringing u a cuppa! And also its great for the birth to know u can trust someone to do the things u want e.g only gas and air even if u scream something else. Id say go for it! I dont think theres nothing u could lose really.

And for the birth plan I never had one with either 3 of mine, actually for the first I did fill it in but knew what I wanted anyway so kind followed it and not. I dont think its all that important cos ul tell the doula what u want anyway and she'll make sure it goes as closely to it as pos!

All the best!

Maybe if u can u can post when u start getting the twinges!!!
Do u know if its a girl or boy?

[Jenni6485]

It just dawned on me that we dont have a birth plan.... We've talked about a natural birth and agreed that it's right for us, but that's as far as we've gottn.
How can I figure out a birth plan in these short few days left? Any suggestions on how to make one?
I guess I've just wanted to rely on the hospital all this time, but after thinking about it, it's important to make our birthing experience custom.
So confused.. I could use your help.
Thanks

[Jenni6485]

It's a girl. :-)
I've found a few websights to make a birthplan, so I'm filling those out and printing them and will be making my own by putting them togather. It's really easy... I've been doing it for about an hour and I'm quickly figuring out what I want.
It's really starting to kick into reality... I'm picturing myself giving birth and the situation around me and it's so amazing... Wow, I'm definately excited. I havnt realized the pain.... but I dont think I want to think about it since I do want to do without medication before she comes.. It's 15 min of hard labor, I think i can deal with it. Afterwards I'll opt for pain medication. :-)
Oh geeze... Saturday will be here shortly...
Please, if there was anything to your labor that you would have rather lived without, let me know. I dont want to ask, or not ask for something that will make the experience better/worse.
Thanks

[AndiJ78]

EAT, that is my one major piece of advice. With my first they were so worried about my throwing up if I ate in case of a crash seciton or anything and I was exhausted and starving during the three plus hours of straight pushing it took to get him out. I hadn't eaten anything but jello and that was 24 hours before the pushing phase kicked in. With my youngest, I ate a nice big breakfast (much to the horror of my nurse) and had him out in 14 pushes (about 5 minutes) So my advice is to eat something first and if you are able to go vaginal, make sure you pilfer as many of the ice packs as you can. Also, don't both with maxipads, go for broke, get the depends/attends that are just short of being full briefs, if you use a maxipad you might as well be using a q-tip,lol.

Andi

[Todoamiga]

I had one and she was great before and during labor -- I was/am single and had to drop my first intended support person a month or so before my due date so I felt very fortunate to have found someone who was there for me during labor. She was a young, spunky married mom who loved to help during childbirth. She videotaped my labor and delivery as well.

*** If planning on an epidural - I can't recommend enough :

#1 Know that you want the least amount of drug at the latest time to avoid side-effects for you (mentally out of it, unable to push, numbing, etc.) and baby (drugged - though they say very little gets to baby..., difficulty nursing after, etc.)

#2 Talk to your doctor or whoever would be responsible for adminisering pain relief about an "epi-light"  -  It is an epidural light, pre-planned before time that you would get a low amount of drug to start. If you don't plan this, they may shoot you up with a brain and body numbing amount from the start...  

Best of luck!

[Jenni6485]

I'm due this weekend so I'm not sure if it's too late. But she offered so I'm really thinking about taking her up on it. I dont plan on using drugs for the delivery, and I heard that's what they specialize in.
I dont have much time to research, the baby can come anytime.. but thank you for the info. :)

[greenpixie]

I'm 13.5 weeks with my first and I knew before we even got pregnant that we were going to use a doula.  If you have the chance, I say take advantage of it.  A few of my friends have used doulas and loved it.  I also had a friend that decided not to, then regreted it.  Her labor had a few complications and left her feeling scared.  She says from now on she will have a doula.  DH & I recently went to a doula info session and now he is completely convinced.  I'm sure you are still researching, but I think you should do it.  Also, if you go to mothering.com you will be able to find a ton of info on doulas in their boards.  I think they have a midwife and doula section.  HTH.