Mr. Circle and I are thinking of hiring a doula for our baby's birth in June, but we are on the fence. Please share your experience, either as parents who hired one, professionals who've worked with one, or if you ARE one... we'd love some perspectives.
I've read that the C-section rates for families who use doulas are lower, that coaching through birth is one of the most effective ways give birth without any pain medication, and finding a doula with a PT, yoga, or childbirth background can be really helpful. My reason for wanting a doula is that birth is exhausting for both parents, not just the mother. I think it would be wonderful to have the moral and physical support throughout the entire time if Mr. Circle needs to get fresh air, food, or a nap while I'm laboring. I want someone who is well-trained and understands the birth process from experience, both personal and professional. I'm also concerned that I'll be focused on his needs versus my own after 20-some odd hours of labor.... and that in of itself will be exhausting. I want our family to be fully supported through this process, and I'm not comfortable with friends or relatives in such an intimate setting. I think hiring a doula would make me feel free to labor without worrying about anything else. I'm currently using a hypnobirthing app to get into relaxation mode and I'm looking into different books that are available, but I feel like that's not enough.
Some of his concerns are that a doula may be taken as a sign by the medical staff that we don't trust them, that we'd be paying $1000 for someone to simply provide moral support, and that it may be redundant (i.e. "Aren't the nurses there to take care of things? What can a doula do that a nurse can't?").
I think the nurses are too busy to tend to a mother's every need, and are really there for the baby first and foremost. They see births each and every day - they're not there to coach the mother. They're there to ensure a safe delivery. My OB/GYN has mentioned doulas before, and I got the impression that they are welcomed by our health care team.
TL;DR: I've heard doulas mentioned here a number of times, and I'd like personal experiences, both positive and negative. |
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