Thread: Have You Heard Of Doulas?

my actual answer would be more like - I have heard of them, think they are a great idea but didn't feel I needed one as I was lucky enough to have great midwives and my DH is fab too - although in my last labour I hardly saw him as he was kept busy filling the birthing pool as we were running out of time

I chose the last option because saying it's not for me sounded too negative! If I was unsure of the quality of midwife care and thought I might not be supported in my birth choices then I'd definitely consider a doula for the extra support and expertise which must really help a woman's confidence in labour.

I am definatley interested in a postnatal doula to help with b/f and the general mayhem that a newborn causes!

I will have a home birth :crossfingers and am very lucky that our midwives are excellent here, its just the hospital that i want to avoid at all costs, the delivery was fine its the post natal ward that scares the hell out of me. Last time there was just one mw on the whole floor :ranting so no help whatsoever with b/f or anything else come to that.

You're welcome bluebear.... at the end of the day... it's getting the right info.... then we make our choices - that's being empowered :thumbsup

I was telling DH last night that when I became a doula 18 months ago.... there was NEVER any mention of doulas on"mums" forums.... and now it's almost daily mentioned.
On another forum I use to go to a lot - at least 10 women had doulas in the past 12 months ! Quite a few asked me for references but still even now I read that quite a few pregnant women have booked a doula. So in 12 months the number of women accessing doula is really increasing!

That is great Pupuce, I can see you are going to be run of your feet, with women popping out all over the place

I would be grateful if you could pass Pam Lacey's contact details to me and I will get in touch with her when I am actually pregnant.

I have a preg question if you don't mind! I had very strong braxton hicks contractions from about 20 weeks onwards during my last pregnancy, in my 1st one they were strong from 36 wks onwards, is it likely that the next time they will be even stronger?

I was walking around 3-4cm dilated from 36 weeks onwards during my last pregnancy due to braxton hicks :ranting it was extremely exhausting and I am dreading this happening again, have you come across this in your experience?

Actually not I have not so not sure what is the right answer.... it is very common to be a bit dilated when you have had a labour before... as Pie now knows it's called a multip os
Where is Oakmaiden???? She might know the answer to your question !

As for Pam, I'll PM her details.