https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 01 May 2026 19:17:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-970037 Sun, 28 Jul 2013 07:06:15 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 970037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@grizz: That's what I was really hoping. I love my DH and he's been so amazing, but he has no idea what to do/expect - and how could he?? So I'm glad there will be someone who can help facilitate his involvement in ways I may need so he doesn't end up just sitting there looking terrified being all "Yerrrr doin' great and I love you?" haha. I also know if I start caving about pain meds he's going to be all, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you want - GET HER THE MEDS!" when what I would really like is for someone to be there who can help me refocus and decide if I REALLY do want them. So, yeah, overall, yay! :3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-969316 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 18:08:28 +0000 Boheme 969316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: Very cool! And don't worry about the people who expressed concern about a doula giving your husband a hard time. Doulas are trained to provide support to both of you! My doula kept my husband calm just as much as she kept me calm. He said he would've paid any dollar amount she asked because she was so helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-969236 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 17:04:13 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 969236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Update: I spoke with her on the phone and she sounds just wonderful. Very nice and offered me a lot of the same tips for dealing with the hospital policies that you ladies have. :) I asked about her training and she was actually trained by Debra Pascali-Bonaro, the woman that's behind the Orgasmic Birth book/documentary. Which I think is pretty interesting. We're meeting her in person in a couple days to go over things in more detail and I'm pretty excited! :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-968961 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 12:43:02 +0000 Dandelion 968961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm actually thinking that I'll hire a student doula for my next pregnancy. I think it's a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-968933 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 12:08:44 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 968933@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so glad to hear everyone's positive experiences! I mentioned this yesterday and my mother-in-law wasn't very supportive of the concept. Neither were a couple of others. Because they've heard cases where the doulas gave the doctors a hard time (better her than me!) or gave the father a very hard time. I seriously cannot roll my eyes hard enough. This is just one more thing that my family thinks is nonsense (I've gotten flak for everything from wanting to breastfeed to the no-drugs route, cloth diapering to not having a changing table). So it begins, though, huh? :P</p> <p>I get off work in two hours and will be calling her. Hopefully it goes well, then we can set up a meeting with her.</p> <p>(also, just saying, I will be so mad if I go into labor before we settle something with her XD haha). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-968421 Sat, 27 Jul 2013 00:07:23 +0000 Kiki 968421@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my son was born 7 years ago, I use a student doula that I met through my OB. I was her 3rd and final "student" birth. I would not have had a natural birth without her. She was the voice of reason when I was unreasonable. lol She was so good that a year later when a friend was pregnant that I recommended her as a doula. </p> <p>Because she was so great for us we felt confident that when we had our second child that we would be able to do it without a doula and med free (ish). I wound up being induced and pitocin is a b*&amp;ch!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-968216 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 21:31:07 +0000 maybebaby 968216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had an apprentice doula and we were her 2nd birth towards her certifcation. She was hands down the best money ($250 for her apprentice fee) we ever spend. While we had to be induced with pitocin (water broke, no contractions), we were able to achieve the med-free birth we had hoped for. We both agree we would never have another child without a doula--she was amazing and allowed DH and I to function as a solid team with her support. Feel free to message me with any specific questions--we could not have been happier and it was clear her DONA time had trained her very well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967959 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 19:20:42 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: Goodness! :D<br /> @grizz: Awesome! I'm glad to hear that! :)) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967957 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 19:19:44 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: For my area, which is like bumf**k nowhere...I've been seeing it range anywhere between $300 up to $800, mostly around the middle somwhere, like $500. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967829 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 17:48:18 +0000 regberadaisy 967829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: just curious. How much does a certified doula cost?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967825 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 17:46:32 +0000 Boheme 967825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a doula who was DONA trained and working through her certification - She rocked! She and my husband were amazing. I am certain she kept me from having a C-section when I had complications that arose. Her help and support were priceless. I say meet her, and if you click, go for it! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967719 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:58:03 +0000 FarmWifeGina 967719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: Yeah, I charged $250 for my first birth, so she's really giving you her services at almost nothing. Of course, my rate included driving 150 miles round trip for a prenatal visit/interview, the birth itself, and a postpartum visit. I also had to cover a day of babysitting for 2 kiddos out of that, so, yeah, I didn't really make anything either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967710 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:53:53 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FarmWifeGina: Yes, DONA-trained is what she had said - that was my error! :P Thanks for your reply - I'm glad to hear all of that! I think I'll definitely feel better (and more reassured) after talking with her face-to-face. After factoring in time and gas, she's basically doing this for nothing. I didn't think she would respond since she was a whole hour and some away, so she must have her heart in it, you're right :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967709 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:53:46 +0000 Mrs. Pen 967709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: I just read your other thread on your hospital - so it would be helpful to ask her how she will be your voice in those situations you're stressed about. Will SHE be able to stay strong in the heat of nurses/OB's potentially telling you both off?<br /> Maybe work on a birth plan now and have her take a look at it and see what she would add/subtract. Or if she has a sample birth plan that would be beneficial to you.</p> <p>good luck! I hope it all works out! Given the situation with your hospital, it sounds like having a doula would be so helpful for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967699 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:50:50 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 967699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that sounds like a fantastic solution to your problem - often students are just as good as certified professionals, because they are eager to learn, excited about what they're doing, and more conscious of what's going on (because some of the 'techniques' are fresher in their minds). </p> <p>I really hope this works out for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967696 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:50:31 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: That's a good question! :P</p> <p>@runsyellowlites: Thanks! Especially for our suggestion about looking for a student! I sent her an email to set up a phone consultation - hopefully we can set up a time to meet fairly soon since it's getting down to the wire haha</p> <p>@scg00387: Thanks! My love for Bob Dylan gets a little intense ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967691 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:48:23 +0000 FarmWifeGina 967691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>*I* am a doula working towards my certification, I'm also DONA-trained (I'm guessing that's what she meant if she's still working on certifying) and I would feel good about hiring me, lol. Most newbie doulas are incredibly passionate about what they're doing, even if they're not fully certified, their heart's in the right place. Definitely talk to her, especially at that rate. Ask about her birth philosophies, get to know her as a person and if her personality and energy works with yours. Also, maybe quiz her out a little bit on what she knows, what she would do in a certain situation- I personally had a lot of knowledge about stats and natural birth before I took the workshop, but there were a few women in the class who didn't even know what the term VBAC meant. NOT that knowledge is everything, it's having the heart and the energy and the intuition, but her knowing what you want and understanding the evidence behind it can be helpful in a hospital situation. Anyways, so yes, definitely talk to her! I know as a trainee myself that she's probably dying for some births to attend and will be super happy for an interview! I was going to suggest this myself in your other thread, but @runsyellowlites: had already covered it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967673 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:38:42 +0000 immabeetoo 967673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have zero helpful input, just wanted to say I :heart: your username! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967666 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:36:38 +0000 runsyellowlites 967666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally know a few student doulas &amp; would feel incredibly confident in any of them assisting in my birth!</p> <p>I don't have any experience in interviewing doulas though so not real sure what to ask! lol. I know there was a recent thread that was revived on interviewing doulas, maybe check that out too?!</p> <p>I think overall it's about how you two connect more than anything. ;) I hope it goes really well! When are you supposed to meet with her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967665 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:36:36 +0000 Mrs. Pen 967665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is this her first birth unassisted? Or her first birth EVER? Usually to get certified she would have to accompany births for awhile under another doula or midwife.</p> <p>It's definitely worth meeting her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hiring-a-student-doula#post-967660 Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:33:34 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 967660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So, in the beginning, I really wanted to hire a doula, but, after talking to my husband, we decided there was no way we would be able to afford one. I want to have a drug free labor with as few interventions as possible. Couple that with the fact that I'm pretty meek and non-assertive and I've been feeling pressured with things like hospital policies and family expectations and all that nonsense lately. After posting a thread about this, I started emailing doulas in the area again, just to see if I could find someone within my price range (which is dismal at best).</p> <p>As luck would have it, one of the first women who emailed me back was a student doula who is working towards her certification. She says that she's DONA certified and this would be her first birth. She's about an hour away from us and would only charge $50 for her services. She also mentioned that she's also pregnant atm.</p> <p>Has anyone here used a student doula before? She says it's her first birth, but if she's had training, she has some experience, right? :P For $50, I'm definitely going to be meeting with her to see if she'll work out. If anything, I just need someone who can "be on my side", if you will. So I'm thinking that it might not matter so much that this would be her first birth towards her certification. Do you think it would matter if she herself has never given birth?</p> <p>What sort of questions should I ask her? I know there are tons of threads with "what should I ask my doula?" but is there anything I should ask specifically because she's a student?</p> <p>I'm pretty pumped now, though, regardless :) </p>