girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

Do you plan on hiring a doula? I keep going back and forth...

It's just SO expensive

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

not preggo now, but had 2 babies. I regret not getting a doula. I went pretty far my first without any meds, and only got the meds because the nurses pressured me into it. They kept asking me if i was sure i didn't want any, and said the pain could get a lot worse and last a lot longer. (they were wrong--it was at its peak, and i had the baby in my arms maybe 1.5-2 hours later after only 10 min of pushing). The epi never worked (because of back issues)

with my second, i wasnt progressing that much despite intense contractions every 1-2 min. After about 16 hours, they broke my water, started pitocin and gave me a spinal (because epi wouldnt work on me). I was fully dilated in an hour, and pushed for 6 minutes. For the 16 hours I wasnt progressing, I felt totally defeated and the dr overnight was useless. he wanted to send me home, and pretty much didn't believe how intense the contractions were.

a doula would have been great for each. if i ever have a 3rd, i am committed to getting a doula!

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

my friend had a great doula.. and she credits her doula for not having an episotomy or a nasty tear.. i want one but they are so expensive..

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

I want a natural birth and nope no doula. We dont have the money for that.

I know my friend said you could look into a student training to be a doula..and they can do it for free or at a reduced rate.

I've just been reading about natural birth...went to a Bradley course..prenatal yoga..etc to prepare.

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

We've been interviewing doula's for the past few weeks....ABSOLUTELY essential, especially here in NYC (which I think you're delivering in the city).

I've spoken with lots of women who've had drug free births and all credit their doulas for aiding in that process.

There are doulas at various price levels....I'm sure you can find a midlevel doula (usually at least 75 births) at the $1200 range. Check out NYC Doula CoOp for some information. You can also use any flexbenefits dollars you may have towards a doula.

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

Also want to add that novice doulas are very affordable. Certainly look into it.

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

Some insurance plans pay the doula fees.

I'm using a midwife so don't think I need a doula as well.

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

I hope to not have an epi. I am not completely opposed to it if the pain gets really bad but my goal is not to have one. We will not be using a doula, we def do not have the money for it. Hopefully I can be strong and stand my ground on a med free birth. On my birth plan it says not to offer any meds for pain unless I request it, so hopefully they follow.

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

I plan on getting one. I know it's bad to think this way but I kind of don't trust the nurses or doctors (or my midwife lately - she got a little snippy when DH asked a question recently) so I think a doula will be the one person who I completely trust to be on my side.

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

I am having the same internal debate!

I gave birth to DS in Boston, where they are very natural-birth-friendly. I didn't have a doula there, and everything went great. The nurses and docs didn't push anything, just asked once, and when I said no, that was it.

I am delivering at Winthrop this time, and I hear that NY area hospitals are much more likely to push drugs/other interventions. I am considering having a doula there to ward this off. I also wonder whether DH could do this, but even though he knows how strongly I feel about this, he is no expert on childbirth. Also, I think that since (from his perspective) it was "easy" last time, he thinks it will be easy this time.

Also, at DS's birth, I didn't want anyone to touch me, look at me, or anything. Just wanted to be alone. So I wonder how much a doula could help?

In addition to the cost of a doula, I hesitate to hire someone b/c I feel like childbirth is such a personal thing for a couple that I am wary of introducing someone else.

I don't know what to do... Thoughts anyone?

Also, I have heard that there are some pretty good books for birth partners (who are willing to read them, DH is not), which would allow them to act more like a doula and less like a freaked out husband. Might be worth checking out if you don't want to pay for a doula?

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

A doula is a support person for the laboring mom. Do you have a family member (mom, sister, cousin, friend) that could be there with you?

Re: girls hoping for a natural (med free/low intervention) birth

I hired Vicky Moody.. she ended up being more knowledgeable and helpful then the midwife I hired through Gaia Midwives. Vicky was supportive, professional and she showed up to my birth unlike my midwife that was MIA when my birth turned high Risk. I highly recommed Vicky, she created a great atmosphere in the hospital room, created pressure points on my body to get through the birth, she was there to help translate some of the happenings and verbage of what the doctors were telling me since my Midwife brought no backup or showed up. She stayed with my husband during my emergency c -section. She visited me and called me more than my actual midwife. Vicky's service is called Labour of Love. Highly recommend she is in massapequa. Worth every sent, often you can deduct these services from your flexable spending health account. I am currently in the process of doing this..

Message edited 8/10/2011 11:25:31 PM.