To Doula or Not to Doula
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
DG and I started our baby classes last night for people 30 years and older. It is just once a week for 5 weeks and we were unsure of what to expect, but our teacher is amazing. We learned so much in our first 2 1/2 hour class.
For example, Doni, our instructor showed a graphic picture of what a woman's insides look like normally with all of the organs. Then she showed a picture of what the insides look like when there is a baby in there. The intestines virtually disappeared up near the lungs, the stomach shrunk, and the bladder went to the size of a pea. All the men in the room turned white and groaned. All the women nodded, knowingly as we glanced at the clock ready to take our first bathroom break 15 minutes into class.
It was right about the time when we were watching the video about the stages of labor that I wondered whether or not it would be me holding DGs hand to calm him, rather than the other way around.
Which brings me to my next question. Should we get a doula? I plan on arriving at the hospital, laboring for an hour and then popping Baby G out without drugs. (Ahhh, the power of positive thinking.) But some things don't always go according to plan, and we are wondering if having a midwife or doula present would aid in my relaxation and having a better experience. Thoughts?
By AllBeehive Tuesday, October 09, 2007
5 Comments:
I have been looking into being a doula for a long time. Things I have read suggest that having a doula shortens labor and reduces pain and complications. Plus having a doula means that hubby gets to rest too. I plan on looking into it myself when my time comes.
Were the birth classes through the hospital?
The birth classes are through the hospital. I think we are going to take a CPR class and DG may take a Daddy Boot Camp class as well.
See, here's the thing that doesn't come up much in birth planning. You can choose your plan, choose the hospital, choose your doc - but you have absolutely no say in who your Labor nurses are going to be. You'll hopefully have someone on a twelve hour shift who'll be your contact through the whole thing. But...she'll go on break, or be busy with another labor or maybe you just won't like her. So I can definitely see the advantage to having a doula who is yours and yours alone. Especially if she also helps with newborn questions, which I could have used when Nathan got jaundice.
Personally, I like my privacy. I didn't want anyone but Dan with me most of the time. And the nurses at both the hospitals we used were old pros and I put all my trust in them. My advice would be to meet with some doulas, but only hire them if you really click and feel comfortable with them.
I'm not personally qualified to give my two cents, since I had three c-sections (due to "female problems" "down there"). Anyway, my new preschool mommy friend is a doula. She's a very fascinating chick, so I'm always prodding into her life. She tells me that doulas cut down on the negative aspects of childbirth, and enhance the positives. Plus, a doula is there for both momma and daddy.
Thanks for all the doula advice. Kristina, I like how you said it cuts down on the negative aspects. That is how I look at it. Now to find out if insurance will cover one.
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