UrbanBaby - Anyone who used a Doula with a tradition...

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Anyone who used a Doula with a traditional OB? I dont love love my OB -he's "fine"...but maybe a doula would be a nice add on...looking for recommendations or thoughts. I am 5 months pregnant.
8 replies
- Expecting
- Newborn
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11.13.09, 09:55 AM [ Flag ]
- I used one for my first pregnancy bc I didn't know what to expect. She was great and helpful, and even though I had a pretty quick labor and delivery, it was intense and painful so she helped with some of the pain management. I'm also 5 months pregnant again and looking for a new doula to help with this one (last time was in Boston) so I don't have any reccomendations but have been searching these boards for old posts.
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  11.13.09, 10:17 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- I used one. Had high hopes for a natural childbirth. Was a little disappointed in my doula b/c didn't recognize clear signs of "back labor." Was excruciating, wasn't progressing. I finally agreed to an epidural, and I felt like she wasn't really "getting" what was going on. Wanted me to try stuff to move baby when all medical personal said dd was past the point of repositioning. So... I'd probably do it again, but in hindsight, she wasn't that helpful. Nice back massages, though!
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  11.13.09, 10:19 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- Well, I had a midwife, but I know my doula does hospital births too. She really finds out what you want rather than pushing her own agenda. She's big on education before the fact so you know what you're options really are. Her name is Rina Crane at doularama.com If you can't get her through there, you can pm me.
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  11.16.09, 04:55 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - unless you're going to attempt the herculine task of going natural, i personally think it is a waste of money.
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    11.16.09, 05:40 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    - Agreed. I had one because I wanted to do natural. The birth did not go that way and she ended up being kind of useless. The information she shared prior to the birth was really helpful, but you can probably get that from a birthing class. It was sort of nice to have someone at the hospital to tell you what's going on and help with initial nursing.
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      11.18.09, 12:21 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- My doula was great with our OB. Her name is Catherine Stewart-Lindley laborlove.org She found out exactly what we wanted and helped us to accomplish it. My husband and I both felt great about her. I had back labor which she recognized even from the first few contractions...before I even felt it in my back! She helped me turn the baby and the pain became so much more manageable. At every turn, she knew exactly what to do. I wouldn't give birth again without her. What people don't seem to realize about doulas is that knowledge, skill and experience are VERY IMPORTANT! You wouldn't hire a med student as your OB but a novice doula is good enough? No way.
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  01.15.10, 04:56 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - OK, So I am starting to get the feeling that one person is posting all of these "can you give me the name of a great doula?" and then replying somewhere in each post with a glowing review of Catherine Stewart-Lindsey laborlove.org. This is pretty transparent, Catherine...
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    01.15.10, 05:08 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    - Gosh, you're awefully cynical! It's strange to me that you would try to negate my experience. We love her and wanted to share, that's all.
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      01.28.10, 03:58 PM [ Flag | link to this post ]