https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:56:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269925 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 14:32:36 +0000 Mrs D 2269925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the input ladies! I appreciate it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269883 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:53:19 +0000 IRunForFun 2269883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: Any doula who implies she is "not OK" with pain relief during birth isn't a good representative of the trade. The entire point of a doula is to support the mother in the birth SHE wants...no room for personal biases. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269877 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:48:25 +0000 Mrs D 2269877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: I believe she will be delivering in the same hospital I did and I was shocked how open they were with everything. My Dr asked me many times if I had made any decisions I wanted in my file, when I was admitted and being "set up" in L&amp;D each nurse asked me if I had preferences and instructed me that if a patient indicates they would like to have an unmedicated birth then it is written on the whiteboard at the front of the room so that non is offered unless the patient requests. I walked in asking for morphine ( :silly: ) so clearly it wasnt an issue for me - but I feel it could have been a good environment without the need for additional support. Which I did share with her... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269875 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:47:05 +0000 MoonMoon 2269875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Basically a doula is familiar with labor and delivery, pain management, and positions/techniques for a successful labor. She helps you envision how you want the birth to go, and how to prepare for it. She also acts as support and can be a liaison, for you, your partner, the nurses, staff, doctors, etc. Ideally, she is there for you during pregnancy and often postpartum too. To me it's not either/or. I consider both a doula AND an OB necessary for my ideal labor/birth scenario. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269872 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:44:49 +0000 BSB 2269872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have an OB and a doula. I hired a doula to support me in the labor and birth process. I want to try to have a med free and vaginal delivery and as much as my DH will support me in my decision... I think at some point he might see me in too much pain and might suggest I get medication. My doula having experience might be able to support me more. I'm not against having pain meds but I would like to try it without meds. Also, I am having twins so I do know that I might not even get the chance for a vaginal birth. In that case, my doula will still support me. She will stay with me when the babies are born and DH will follow the babies. </p> <p>Oh, I'll also say that we don't have family nearby and actually if I did, I don't think they will completely support me in some of choices I've made. My doula will also provide post partum help as well. </p> <p>I've always been interested in having a support person like a doula. My SIL had it for her first child and my sister had one for her baby. </p> <p>My doula is there to support the mom and dad. They can't make medical decisions for you. If it's not an emergency, they might ask you questions about if you understand what the dr just told you. Like understanding the benefits and the risks (Informed Consent.)<br /> I like my OB but she's not going to be in my room the whole time while I'm in active labor. My doula will be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269869 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:43:17 +0000 catlady 2269869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: A doula can still support medicated births but my understanding if they tend to not like that. So she'd have to find one who is open to that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269868 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:43:14 +0000 sarac 2269868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A doula is there to advocate for your birth desires and to support you and your partner, period. I know women who have had planned csections and still used a doula - a good one will support your birth 100%, no matter the circumstances. They're also really useful for providing support that your partner isn't able to. Like, if you want to go natural and you're worried that your partner will stress out when you're in pain, they're really useful there. </p> <p>I gave birth at a very, very liberal hospital with midwives, so I didn't feel like I needed one. If I hadn't had that option, I absolutely would have had one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269862 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:40:00 +0000 BadgerMom 2269862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hired a doula because I was birthing with an OB in a hospital and I was really afraid of the "cascade of interventions." I have a heavy dose of cynicism when it comes to the medicalization of childbirth but not enough to want a home birth. My goal was to have a natural childbirth. In reality I was open to pain management/an epidural, but I felt like if I went into labor with my OB knowing that she (or the nurses) might push me towards more and more medical interventions, so instead I told my OB I wanted a natural birth knowing in the back of my mind I was open to pain medicine if I felt that need at the time. I hired a doula because I wanted someone in my corner. I didn't want my OB offering/pushing something on me that might have unintended consequences. I felt like with a doula there she would be better prepared to explain those unintended consequences to me so that I could make the best/most knowledgeable decisions.</p> <p>In reality, I went into labor two weeks early and my doula was in the middle of another birth. I labored at home as long as I could not wanting anyone's help or anyone to touch me and ended up getting to the hospital fully dilated and ready to push. No none of the things I was concerned about even had the opportunity to occur. Our doula didn't even arrive until a couple hours after DS was born lol.</p> <p>All that to say, it's all a crap-shoot. She should do what makes her feel more comfortable going in. If that's hiring a doula, do it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269860 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:38:39 +0000 Mrs D 2269860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: ok - I was worried I was wrong but this is what I was thinking. I do not get the impression she is interested in an unmedicated L&amp;D...however, I know one of her friends who had a doula also had an epidural...so I was a little more confused... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269858 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:37:04 +0000 catlady 2269858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The main question is, is she serious about having an unmedicated birth? If not, she doesn't really need a doula. I didn't have one (it was just too costly for us) but from what I understand, if you really want an unmedicated birth, having a doula is your best way of getting there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/doulawhatwhy#post-2269843 Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:26:04 +0000 Mrs D 2269843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...a friend of mine is newly pregnant with her first. She said all of her friends have had doulas and some have had midwives...a few have told her she is crazy to consider childbirth without a doula.</p> <p>It was never my cup of tea personally. My stepdad is an OBGYN and I have just always been comfortable with doctors/nurses and leaving things in their hands. I was fortunate and had a very easy L&amp;D.</p> <p>She is seeking my input and recently asked me what I thought of them and I realized I truthfully dont even fully comprehend what service/assistance the provide and what the normal reason is for hiring one. I have suggested she find this community for all of her curiosities but she has so far now. </p> <p>Just looking for some input here about what yours did for you and why you decided to hire one in the first place? Trying to provide her some insight... </p>