Hellobee Boards

We loved our doula. They are experts in comfort measures and support during labor. They suggest different things to try depending on your specific situation (you will probably meet before the birth and she will get a good overview and background of your history and wants/needs for labor). They area also a good support system for DH. They can advise him when would be a good time to rest/take a nap/update family. And the doula can stay with you and be supportive while he is away briefly.

I didn't have a doula, because the midwives that were "assigned" to me when I gave birth were with me the entire time.

We hired a doula! I'm not due for another 7 weeks but to me it does feel 'essential'. Going to a childbirth class to us felt like the equivalent of one driver's ed class and then racing in the Indy 5000. How are we supposed to remember everything/know what to do/what's best etc? And who will help support my husband in his first time in such a scary role? We prefer the idea of having someone there with us to show us the ropes (in addition to a class). She is so awesome already and I'm thrilled she's going to be there with us

ETA: I also have a midwife but it's true she may only be there for part of the time as she could have other patients. We wanted someone dedicated. Also, doulas are more familiar with laboring positions, massage techniques etc since mom's comfort is their job (vs. the midwife whose job is baby and mom's safety).

We are paying a $250 for an apprentice doula who has had all the training but needs to attend 3 births solo to get her full certification. We couldn't justify the expense of a more experienced one, but from the two prenatal visits we have had with her already it seems very worth it. I suggest looking into volunteer or apprentice doula programs if you are interested in it. I can't yet speak to the birth experience, but I feel much more comfortable with our plans to try for unmedicated with a doula on our team.

With that scenario I would say YES! We are birthing a birth center with a midwife practice where we will have the same midwife through our whole birth and we are still hiring a doula.

Personally I couldn't imagine birthing in the hospital environment (even with a certified nurse midwife) and not having a doula. The doula stays with you when the nurse midwife might be checking on other patients. The doula can also provide support to your husband to help him be more supportive of you. Many Doulas have payment plans if $$ is holding you back.

All this talk about midwives & doulas has me thinking I need to do more research.

I didn't have a doula but I'm pretty private when it comes to stuff like this. I didn't even want DH touching or talking to me either. I just get "in the zone" and need to be really in tune with myself to get through things like this. But it's just me. A doula would've been totally wasted on me.

Since you're not sure if it's worth it, how about hiring a doula who is close to certification and needs experience hours? That will lower the cost. We did that and I'm really glad we did. She was an invaluable support. My DH was wonderful while I was in labor, but I knew that having another person there would help us both.

@knockedup_nowwhat: Not really. I was voracious for information so I was all about as many classes/books/etc. as possible.

But by the time the actual class rolled around, I was super swollen and uncomfortable, so the sheer act of sitting in a chair for 4+ hours was really draining and miserable. And there wasn't much learned in the class that I couldn't find online or by calling the hospital to ask about their specific procedures.

I did enjoy the other specific classes that we took: breastfeeding, car seat safety, infant CPR, and DH did a daddy boot camp class.

@knockedup_nowwhat: I am actually going to be somewhat of a dissenting voice here. I've had two natural births (both in the hospital), but haven't had a doula with either one.

My first birth, I was with an OB and just used my husband and the nurse for support. The second birth (this past January), I was with a group midwife practice. The midwife was SO hands-on during the birth that I really can't even imagine what more I could have needed from a doula.

Have you asked the midwives what they think? I found it really helpful to hear their perspectives; they definitely were able to explain to me what they would be able to do for me versus what a doula might offer, etc. I also had a short birth with my first, and was anticipating the same with my second, so that made a difference as well. If I anticipated laboring at home for a long time, the doula may have been a much greater help.

All this to say: do what feels right for you, ask around at your midwife group, talk to other people who have given birth at your hospital, and figure out what makes sense financially as well. I totally respect the work of doulas, and think they can be invaluable, but I also think (and am proof) that natural birth can be achievable without that additional support. Good luck!

(I actually wrote a post about this as well: http://www.hellobee.com/2013/02/06/the-great-doula-debate/)

@knockedup_nowwhat: We did a childbirth class AND are having a doula. I feel like the class is Childbirth 101 while the doula is having the professor there. For the final exam the professor will be invaluable, but doesn't mean I should skip class entirely It was helpful to know what to expect, learn some massage techniques etc., know what to expect at the hospital, but the doula will be valuable day-of.