We're on the fence about getting a doula... well, I am on the side of not getting one and DH is on the side of getting one! I am more concerned about getting breastfeeding right than I am about labor - I'm feeling more "go with the flow" regarding our birth plan. But if a doula can stick around and make sure we have a good latch and everything is going smoothly, I might be more willing to pay the expense. I'm not sure if they are as knowledgeable as lactation consultants, though, as their specialty is labor?
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Our doula did not stick around for more than an hour or two post-partum (which was fine! She had been there for 19 hours already and then went on to a twin delivery that same day!)
But she came to my house for a follow up appointment a week or two later, and we spent the majority of the time discussing breastfeeding. She wasn't a certified lactation consultant, but she has six children, so she was a good anecdotal reference. Plus she did a lot of just boosting my confidence and telling me I was doing a good job which is what I desperately needed in the throws of the early newborn days when everything as so hard.
She was a lifesaver.
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Most doulas will at least stick around to make sure you get a first latch (at least I do, always), and then visit you in your home 2-3 days later to talk and help you with any questions regarding your own care and breastfeeding.
At the very least she should have resources for you and be able to refer you to someone if your needs are beyond her abilities.
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Mine stuck around and helped me get the baby latched for the first time. She then Came the next day and helped me again at the hospital with getting the baby latched. She did a follow up with me at my house about a week later. She is also available to me for the first year for any breast-feeding issues or questions I have. While she is isn't a lactation consultant she has eight children and a lot of experience. I would ask any potential doulas what kind of service they provide as far as breast feeding goes.
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Like @Arden: said, my doula stayed in the hospital with me to make sure we got a good latch. She visited me a week later (had a C-section so I was in the hospital for a bit) and helped with breastfeeding. My doula is also a postpartum doula, so I paid for 2 extra sessions with her (which is about 2-3 hours) of her helping me with whatever I needed, which included breastfeeding. Some doulas are LCs, as mine had just completed her training.
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Ours stated she was better with the labor aspect and said that the LC would be best to speak with, although she'd certainly be happy to answer any questions. The LC popped in as soon as I had the baby! I preferred to speak with someone who's specialty is breastfeeding and deals with it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week! Plus LC visits are covered by insurance, anyways.
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Ours stuck around for the initial feeding and had resources if I needed them but our hospital had LCs on call. I also went to a couple breast feeding support groups which were great.
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Mine stayed around for about an hour after the birth and helped with the first feed.
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same as @SAHM0811. She helped LO get latched on the first time and then she left. She called to check in the day we came home. There were LCs in the hospital and I also sough out a private LC when we got home.
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8 comments