https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:40:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467753 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:48:28 +0000 IRunForFun 1467753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I appreciate all the feedback! </p> <p>It's interesting to me, because in the book I'm reading right now, it talks about women seeking out a doula because they want someone who's "been there" so to speak. I definitely understand that viewpoint, but I'm also glad to know that it's not a sticking point for everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467740 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:43:44 +0000 PurplePeony 1467740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't even think to ask if our doula had kids before I scheduled a meeting. If she mentioned at the meeting that she hadn't given birth, I might have been a little surprised but by that time I'd already formed my initial impressions so that wouldn't be the dealmaker/breaker. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467725 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 18:39:28 +0000 daniellemybelle 1467725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I met with one doula who had not given birth. That was not the only reason we chose a different doula, but it was among the reasons. Next time I am going to look for a doula that has had a VBAC. It's not a must, but it's nice to know they have that personal experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467603 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:58:32 +0000 luckypenny 1467603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine hadn't had her own kids yet and we likes her just fine :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467569 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:53:40 +0000 lovehoneybee 1467569@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wouldn't be a prereq for us. You should reach out to Arden, I'm pretty sure she was a doula (maybe still is?) before she gave birth, she might have some good insight for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467558 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:48:30 +0000 mrsjazz 1467558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We interviewed doulas and 1 didn't have children. We ultimately went with someone who did because she was the right fit for us, but having children and delivering without medication wasn't a prerequisite for us (though it was nice :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467555 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:47:43 +0000 mlm2934 1467555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Your experience at previous births would be more important to me than whether you had personally given birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467543 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:42:43 +0000 ScarletBegonia 1467543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is my chosen birth partner, and I'm pretty sure he hasn't given birth!! If I had been in the market for a doula I wouldn't have cared one way or the other. Good luck with this big decision!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467510 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:33:52 +0000 anandam 1467510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely. I'm hiring her to support me, not to labor for me! It's her compassion and experience with other laboring women that would make or break the deal.</p> <p>I figure a mother has been through labor what, maybe three times? Twenty at the extreme? Once you build your experience as a doula you'll have attended hundreds - and with a much clearer memory of what happened! That said, I would hire a novice doula, too, if she had the right energy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467499 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:30:01 +0000 mamimami 1467499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did hypnobirthing with someone who had not given birth and since at that time I had not, either, I felt a little skeptical but I liked her and I learned a lot. However, haven given birth now twice, I do feel like it's something you can't really fully understand until you do it, so although it wouldn't be a total deal-breaker for me, I would prefer someone who has given birth. My OB has given birth and I think that is a point in her favor as well :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467490 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:26:46 +0000 IRunForFun 1467490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: We can make doula'd a verb! I think it sounds good! LOL. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467476 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:21:59 +0000 Mae 1467476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know that I'd even ask if a doula had kids. I'd be more concerned with how many births you've doula'd (is that a verb? lol) for vs. experienced because thats sort of a whole different thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467469 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 17:19:58 +0000 Weagle 1467469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I preferred that our doula had given birth, but it wasn't super high on the priority list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467387 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:38:20 +0000 IRunForFun 1467387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@septca: That's what I was thinking! If I don't do it now, I might never do it! </p> <p>@wonderstruck: I can totally understand that perspective. And as a doula I would certainly not pass judgement on the type of birth or push a woman in one direction or the other! I certainly hope I'll maintain the same position even after I've had a baby, regardless of how I had it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467374 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:34:29 +0000 wonderstruck 1467374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally would, although I think meeting and clicking is always important even if she has given birth!</p> <p>Honestly I might prefer a doula who has never given birth to one who has personal natural birth experience. That probably sounds incredibly weird, but generally (not always!) people who haven't given birth are less likely to make judgments or assumptions than those who had a natural birth and didn't have too difficult of a time with it. Although maybe I'm just jaded from some awful comments I've gotten about my emergency c-section that likely saved my son's life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467368 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:33:05 +0000 septca 1467368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Besides, is getting certified something you will have time to do once you have a baby? Probably not. I say go for it now - if you want kids someday, this will be a temporary predicament. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467367 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:32:50 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1467367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wouldn't be the #1 deciding factor, for sure. I'd still meet with you, and if we got along, it wouldn't be a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467365 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:31:42 +0000 IRunForFun 1467365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugmama: Awesome! I was hoping a doula would chime in. Thanks! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467334 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:25:45 +0000 junebugmama 1467334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did my DONA training with 15 woman and 3 of them had never given birth. I don't think that should be a concern. I have been asked similar questions by woman who had c-sections. </p> <p>Supporting another woman on her journey has nothing to do with your own. In some cases I think the less baggage the better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467314 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:22:32 +0000 IRunForFun 1467314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: That's a good point! </p> <p>@looch: @mrsjyw: @snowjewelz: Thanks ladies!</p> <p>I figure the worst that could happen is no one wants to hire me as a doula before I give birth, but heck, if I become certified, I'll be super prepared for my own birth! And then I'll have the experience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467302 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:20:28 +0000 snowjewelz 1467302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would as long as I like her and we click and she understands me. I don't think she would need to have given birth or have kids to be a doula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467301 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:20:01 +0000 mrsjyw 1467301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep. I see the role of a Doula as someone with the medical knowledge to emotionally support me and my wishes throughout pregnancy and specificallly labor &amp; delivery. It would be more about her knowledge, personality, demeanor than her being a mother/experienced labor herself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467300 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:19:45 +0000 looch 1467300@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Some of the midwives at my hospital had never given birth, so totally fine for a doula as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467299 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:19:43 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1467299@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say go for it! Sounds like you have a heart for it. Just think of how many doctors, nurses and doulas there are who haven't given birth (male OB's, hello!) - but they are still very experienced in the field.</p> <p>ETA: I might be more inclined to a doula who hasn't given birth, under the assumption that she may not have an preconceived notions of how a birth *should* be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-consider-a-doula-who-hadnt-given-birth#post-1467293 Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:18:14 +0000 IRunForFun 1467293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just what the title says! </p> <p>I'm strongly considering becoming a certified doula with DONA International. However, I have never had a baby, and I know a lot of women choose doulas because they have personal experience with giving birth/natural birth. </p> <p>When I was in middle school/high school, I was totally convinced I was going to be a midwife. I read books about it, talked to someone who was a midwife, etc. But then it turns out, I suck at science and certain medical things. So, I didn't become a midwife. </p> <p>Now that I'm older and more settled, I've started to regret not doing SOMETHING similar to midwifery. I've always been drawn to/fascinated by pregnancy, childbirth, and babies. With the rise of popularity/demand for doulas, I've looked into getting certified several times, but always hesitated because I wasn't sure I "fit the mold" so to speak. </p> <p>My DH is encouraging me to do it if I am passionate about it. There's a certification workshop coming up in May and I've already begun the required reading (plus some non-required reading about being a doula.) </p> <p>Obviously I plan to have children and give birth some day, and since certification is valid for four years, I figured now is as good a time as any. </p> <p>But, I'm just curious if you (the general you who has given birth or is pregnant) would totally disregard a potential doula based on the fact that she hasn't given birth. </p> <p>Just as another fun fact, I'm also trying to get into birth photography as another service to offer. </p>