https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 14:11:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1069555 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 07:30:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 1069555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not have one and do not regret it, BUT I had a pretty uncomplicated delivery. My midwife and nurse were amazing and pretty much did everything a doula would- suggested position changes, helped me focus and keep my breath even, massage and counter pressure. Without that amazing team I wouldn't have been able to do a med free delivery. I actually asked for the epidural during transition and they encouraged me to keep going since I was so close.<br /> But since having twins means you are automatically having a more "complicated" delivery it sounds like a good idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1069526 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 07:18:11 +0000 maybebaby 1069526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: that's a really good point. No one has any way I k knowing how they're labor will go. If everything had been super smooth for me I wouldn't have missed a doula, but I was so glad she was there in case. For me, a med free birth was important to me and I know without her that wouldn't have happened. I'd always at her had be option of one and not need it than not have the option at all. I know plenty of couples who do great without one and never missed the option.</p> <p>The major things our doula did:<br /> -encouraged us to request tr smarts possible dose of pitocin when I was induced rather than the standard increases very 30 min<br /> -reminded me lovingly and gently my birth preferences when she could see I was wavering<br /> -suggested effective labor positions for me and my husband that we were too overwhelmed to think of ourselves<br /> -offered counter pressure on y hips while DH offered face today's emotional support--to have two people, one offering physical and the other emotional, was so so important for me<br /> -was there for me the one time my husband had to leave to use the bathroom (I was in transition!)<br /> --took photographs (with permission ahead of time) within minutes of his birth of us as a new family. I will cherish those pictures as long as a live<br /> -stayed with me while I ate a meal and rehydrated while DH and LO went to get cleaned off<br /> -helped get us settled in our postpartum room</p> <p>She became like family to us. I am a petty private person and bared all in front of her without a second thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1069442 Fri, 06 Sep 2013 06:17:25 +0000 looch 1069442@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have a doula because I felt confident that the two midwives and my husband would be enough. I got right into the zone when I went into labor and I just knew what to do. Granted I didn't need any interventions, so I didn't need an advocate. I think that partially colors my view. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1069201 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 22:39:33 +0000 mrskc 1069201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved having a doula. She was awesome! She coached me through labor and knew exactly what to do and say to get me through it. She was great at advocating for me at the hospital. I will not give birth now with out one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1069058 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 21:25:43 +0000 LomaLinda 1069058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a doula and she was amazing. It made all the difference for my birth experience. She kept me calm and focused. I had thought my hubby would be my main support but he became a basket case when I went into labor and I solely relied on my doula for the support I needed. I had been skeptical...thought i was prepared enough on my own...but it was SO worth it. I encourage all my pregnant friends to have a doula!!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068915 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:41:17 +0000 heffalump 1068915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's just not my personality to have/want one. my ob practice has the choice between doctors and midwifes, and I was talking to a midwife about the differences. She said one difference is that midwifes spend a lot more time with you both in apts and they spend the entire labor, where I only saw my doctor for like 5 minutes when lo started crowning. But I liked my experience with lo, I had a nurse there when needed and didn't feel like I needed or wanted any more attention. I actually had a student observing too and that just made me feel pressure to have a good childbirth experience... I think I just do better with less people around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068889 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:34:41 +0000 indi 1068889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm really looking forward to having one. Thankfully, 4 or 5 of the ladies in the natural moms group I've found are doulas, so whoever I click with I'll interview with DH to make sure he likes her and we'll be set. </p> <p>PPs had great advice re: how to find doulas (google, midwives, word of mouth), then check out their websites if they have them, call for a few interviews, and choose the one that suits you best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068823 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:24:38 +0000 aprk 1068823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A birth doula should be standard for every woman, IMO. so incredibly helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068806 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:20:48 +0000 FarmWifeGina 1068806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sugar.Biscuit: Googling for doulas in your area is a good place to start too. There are a lot of really excellent, experienced doulas that aren't certified (certification only means they've passed a certain certifying agency's, such as DONA, requirements) and/or aren't on any national registries. Midwives are also a good resource for knowing where to find a good local doulas, even if you're not receiving care from that midwife.<br /> Heck, if you were in my area I'd really be hoping you'd want to interview me because I would practically KILL to support a twin birth!&lt;---- I'm a doula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068801 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:20:05 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1068801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Loved our doula. Both the midwife and the OB ended up missing the birth (10 minutes of pushing, long story), so I was SO grateful that our doula was there. She was great at advocating for me, and asking questions when I couldn't/didn't want to. She was also a fantastic coach through labour, and had some great coping strategies. Her home visits after the birth were super helpful as well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068762 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:14:57 +0000 prettylizy 1068762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sugar.Biscuit: she was recommended by my chiropractor. We took her prenatal class first and totally clicked </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068725 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:09:53 +0000 Andrea 1068725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sugar.Biscuit: i used doulamatch.net to find ones in my area. I interviewed two and really liked one. then i called her references, which were all stellar, so then i was sold! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068724 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:09:47 +0000 Boheme 1068724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dona.org will list certified doulas in your area. My doula was incredible! Best decision we made for our birth! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068713 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 20:07:35 +0000 Sugar.Biscuit 1068713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Andrea: @prettylizy: @mamimami: @maybebaby: how did you go about choosing one? Did you just google Dulas for your area or did you have recomendations etc? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068640 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:53:14 +0000 maybebaby 1068640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, and both DH and I agree it was the best money ever spent. She was I valuable leading up the hr labor and delivery and during. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068623 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:50:33 +0000 mamimami 1068623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a doula and I recommend it! The thing she most helped me with was just to focus and not to get nervous and overwhelmed. I think that would be especially helpful with a twin delivery. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068601 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:46:30 +0000 prettylizy 1068601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and she was incredible. We've already booked her for this pregnancy and I'm only 3 months in. She was an advocate for me, she is the only reason in my mind I had a successful natural birth even though I was augmented with Pitocin </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068583 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:43:45 +0000 Andrea 1068583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, it was great to have somewhere there the day of. She did some amaaaaaaazing massage moves on my back. That really helped me with pain management or else I probably would have asked for the drugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-a-dula#post-1068570 Thu, 05 Sep 2013 19:40:30 +0000 Sugar.Biscuit 1068570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm considering hiring a Dula for this pregnancy/L&amp;D. I really want to have a natural birth. If possible. Both my doctors encourage vanginal delivery as long as the leading baby is head down. </p> <p>We will be taking the 8 week course at the hospital for lamaze, birth options, breast feeding, PP care, child care, CPR etc. So we will touch on some of this but I'm wondering if I'll want or need morr coaching then this.</p> <p>Did you have a dula? Are you glad you did? I need to hear the good bad &amp; ugly.</p> <p>ETA: for those of you who don't know I am expecting twins. </p>