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It's not very common here in the UK, but I would have loved to if I could afford it!

We hired a doula - I'm due next month, so we'll see how it goes! We got more of a "novice" to save $$$ though - I couldn't justify the $1,200+ that a lot of the more experienced doulas were charging.

Nope, same reasons as you. I didn't want anyone else in the room and didn't want to pay for one either!

I can't really vote! We booked one, but I went into labor at 33 weeks and it was so fast that by they time she got to the hospital LO was here. She did stay with me while DH went to the NICU, which was nice. I got to talk things through and sort of process, since it was such a whirlwind. We plan to use the same one if there's a next time. Given how glad I was to have her there afterwards, I think I'd be very happy to have her there during.

Also, I happened to have an extra midwife in the room (one was a new hire- experienced, but new to the practice), so one was able to catch LO while the other held my hand and was right in my face coaching me. If I hadn't had two, that wouldn't have been an option, so having a doula for that role would be very important to me in the future. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without her.

I voted that we did not use one, even though we hired one (and paid her in full). My baby came in 2 hours, so the doula missed it. She was great after the birth and postpartum came by my house to drop off a big bag of homemade padsicles which were amazing, and provided us with some priceless photos of us and baby in the first couple hours after birth, but clearly I didn't need her for the birth.

Yup, I used one. I used one because I needed support during labor. I know that if I had DH as support only, he would see me in pain and automatically think I need pain medication. Having doula would support me in waiting when I really needed it.

In the end, I ended up having an epidural because of the higher risk of c-section and I wanted to make sure I was awake to hear the babies crying if I needed a c-section.

I still think she was a great support. Plus, she was able to stay by my side when DH went and followed the twins to the nicu.

If I have another child (hopefully a singleton), I would get another doula because it's a different situation and I might be able to have a vaginal birth and hold out on a epidural. I also had no pain during contractions (possibly due to having a tired uterus from PPROMing) so I have no idea what to expect for my next pregnancy and labor. It would be good to have the support again.

I used one for my VBAC and she was amazing!

Nope

I had a friend that was going through doula training so she offered to help for free (I gave her a nice gift card, though as a thank you). I thought her help and support was awesome, but I'm not sure I would have wanted to pay hundreds of dollars.

We probably won't hire a doula for future children unless we have another friend who would step in or if my husband isn't going to be there for the birth. It was really useful the first time since DH (and myself) didn't have any idea of what to expect, but he'd probably be able to help me during labor much more this time.

@ms.line: that's how much the experienced doula with the cool British accent cost. DH was ready to sign the contract as soon as she opened her mouth. Our doula is $850 and that's only because we found her through a co-op group. On her website she charges $700, but that's contracting directly with her.

i used one for my second pregnancy and wouldn't do it again. i wish i had done it for the first instead, as that was the labor where i could have used someone to give me a pep talk about epidural/pitocin, etc.

Yes, and it was some of the best money I ever spent. We learned more from our prenatal meetings with her than we did from any of our other resources. Even though my labor was pretty fast and she met us at the hospital instead of coming to our house, she was so awesome to DH when he was texting her in the middle of the night after my water broke. She was talking us through us the whole thing via text and phone call. Her postpartum support was also invaluable!

i loved my doula and if we hadn't moved, i would have hired her again! and she probably wouldn't have made it to the birth of DD2 though because it was 4 hours from water breaking/contractions to birth!

our next babe, i hope to find midwives, but also plan on birthing at the nearest hospital because my labors are fast and furious and unfortunately, we have blood type incompatibilities and my kids need bili lights.

I think a doula is nice to have for your first birthing experience, and then it becomes a personal preference for the later births.

We hired a doula the first time because I wanted an all natural birth. While she was helpful, things quickly deteriorated (failure to progress, pitocin, epidural, and then c-section), so in the end I didn't feel she was all that helpful/necessary. I decided not to have a doula the second time around and ended up having a successful VBAC.

We did for the first and it was money well spent. I was worried about DH and how he would react to me being in pain. My labor was quite long so the doula and DH switched off rubbing my back and doing counter pressure (back labor...fun stuff). If we decide to have more children, I would probably not hire a doula. Now that DH and I have been through a long and semi complicated labor & birth, I feel like we'd be able to handle a second on our own.

I had a doula and was glad I did. My husbandwas great with counterpressure and reminding me to drink and breath but the doula really helped with positive encouragement, which I needed. Plus she took pictures that I will always cherish. She definitely helped me go med free, which is what I wanted.