Just want to get your opinions on if you would use the services of a Doula or not when having a baby?
I know they are pretty popular over in the US and UK, but they are just starting to build in popularity here. Because of this would you think about using one? Or would you wait till they increased in popularity more?
Sorry to pick everyone's brains on this, i've just been doing a lot of thinking and reading, wondering if this is the career path i've been searching for.
YEAH - same as what Tan said .
Although people ARE starting to use them in Australia. We did private ante-natal classes prior to having Lachie (we were too late for the hospital ones ). The midwife who conducted the classes was also a doula. She LOVED it!!
If you would like her contact details I can dig them up for you Mandi. She is a very down to earth, funny woman and I'm sure she'd answer any questions you had about it.
I'm really not sure how they work (do you have them instead of a widwife or with one? Do they come to the hospital? Or are they for home births??), but I do like the sound of one. These days with family often spread all over the country it's not that easy to just have a close friend or family member help you if you think your DH would be hopeless. Personally I feel that having an experienced woman with you to help would be a tremendous help and really help you have a natural, enjoyable birth. You've got the personality for it too Mandi - I think you'd be great at it!
__________________ xx Pale Pink Aura
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
DD (7) - conceived via IVF (FET) after 2 years of infertility treatment
DS (3) - conceived after 2 years of natural therapies
Deb, basically you meet with the Doula a couple of times before you go into labour to talk about what you hope to achieve with the birth, do up a birth plan, what sort of atmosphere you want etc. When you go into labour you ring the Doula, and she will come whenever you want, like if you want support straight away or if you would rather wait until further along. Then when you go to the hospital (or even home birth) the Doula is another support person. There to massage, talk you through contrax, just generally be there for whatever you need. Definitely not a subsitute midwife!
I know personally as much as my DH was great on the day, I had a student Dr who was basically my Doula, and she was wonderful! She even assisted the Dr who did my c-section. I know I would have given in alot sooner for the epi if it hadn't of been for her. My Mum didn't want to be there as she hates to see me in pain and didn't know how she would react. We are very close so she worried about how she would be. I don't have any sisters or really close friends who I would want to be in there. I think having someone that is removed from our family also would make it easy if there is problems having to 'choose' who you are going to have in with you (a few of my friends have had this problem).
Basically what I am worried about is that if I go through and do the study (which is expensive) and it turns out that no one wants to use the service it would be a big waste.
Hi Mandi,
I think Doulas are a good idea. But I don't know that many women know they are out there and available to them. I personally wouldn't know where to start looking to find one. If they were readily avaiable through recommendation from your m/w or dr, I'd consider one. I think it was easier for me to naked and in pain in front of semi-strangers (ie the midwives that I had previously meet only once or twice) than it would have been in front of my mother or MIL or SIL...
Good luck with your decision
NIc xx
__________________ Nic xxx
(AKA Tollee)
DD ~ Alyssa 10 Nov 03
DS ~ Dylan 11 Feb 05
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Doula Question for the Aussies! 
)
.
). The midwife who conducted the classes was also a doula. She LOVED it!!
