Anyone using a Doula?
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Topic: Anyone using a Doula?
Posted By: mybeautiful3
Subject: Anyone using a Doula?
Date Posted: 16 October 2010 at 8:45pm
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Have any of you considered using one for your pg & birth / or have previously used one? ------------- Just  my job as a Birth Doula!
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Replies:
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 16 October 2010 at 8:49pm
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Having a birth support person (a close friend) rather than a doula. I would have considered it if I hadn't felt I had anyone to ask. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 12:47pm
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I haven't, but I'm looking into doing the training to become one (Once this bubs makes an appearance!). I can't wait till NZ adopts the Doula rage. Its a brilliant concept and I'm so sure its what our country lacks on the birthing front! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 1:23pm
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That W*O*N*D*E*R*F*U*L to hear Madi's mum - we sure can do with more of them. All the midwives I have worked alongside have found the work that us Doula's do, to be so complimentary to their work. We spend so much time with the client in early labour in the comforts of their home-something m/w's cannot offer their clients - with the result that a lot of women are checking into a hospital way too early...and the long & the short of it, ending up with interventions due to failure to progress.
A woman labours best when in her own familiar environment with familiar sights & sounds & where she feels comfortable - this is what my clients have always loved about their doula-assisted labours. Wishing you everything of the best for your impending birth & let me know if you want any further study info-I studied through Childbirth International :) ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 2:10pm
I wish i could have a doula - knew how to find one even!! As this is panning out, i'll be having this baby alone in the company of my midwife, in the hospital - and i know she won't be there for the whole thing just the exciting bit at the end. Guess i'll fetch my own ice 
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Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 2:36pm
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Bowie-no woman should be alone in labour-support is so important, whether it be in the form of your husband, best friend, mother or a doula - depending on where you are based-I can let you know of Doulas that I know of around NZ. You are more than welcome to PM me :) ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 3:09pm
| Thanks dear, but not that i could afford a doula anyway. I was more posting to say that i think the concept is a good'un and i hope it takes off. |
Posted By: lil_lease
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 5:51pm
I've looked at becoming a doula but I couldn't find anywhere in NZ to gain the knowledge  ------------- Antony, gone but never forgotten 2-4-2010 
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Posted By: MerlinFluff
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 5:51pm
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I would LOVE a Doula, not necessarily for the birth but post partum, my risk of PND is sky high and it sounds like something that would make the first month or so a lot easier. But we live out in the country, nearly an hour from Timaru and no one has even heard of them!!! ------------- ***Elly***  
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Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 6:31pm
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lil_lease - the Doulas here in NZ have studied through Childbirth International & Optimum Childbirth to gain their certification. I used CBI - www.childbirthinternational.com
Merlin - you get Birth Doulas & Postpartum Doulas - I'm sure the latter would be an incredible support for you. There is clearly such a need for both in NZ :) ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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Posted By: Plushie
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 6:31pm
| MerlinFluff - i live out in the country about 2hrs from Timaru (but will have baby in Timaru) and i havent heard anything about Doula's in the area either... apparently there is a woman in Geraldine though when i say apparently i mean a friend mentioned it to me and i havent been able to find out officially if she exists or not! |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 6:58pm
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Yes!! I totally agree!
And thanks, I will remember that Might be nice to hear some real stories and helpful advice once I get started on the training 
I was looking at doing my training through these guys.. www.birthworks.org.nz ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: lil_lease
Date Posted: 18 October 2010 at 9:14pm
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Lol well obviously I didnt look hard enough
Thanks for the info. ------------- Antony, gone but never forgotten 2-4-2010
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Posted By: MerlinFluff
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 1:46pm
Hmm curious. I've googled and asked around but not heard of any in south canty. Really would love one! ------------- ***Elly***
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bowie wrote:Posted By: MummyFreckle
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 2:09pm
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My beautiful 3 - would be interested to know more about the actual role of a doula, ie what you do / dont do etc. How much you charge? Do you have a website? (You might have to PM me as OB might perceive a response as advertising?) Thanks
------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Katherine
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 2:33pm
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What a timely topic -- in our next issue, which comes out right before Christmas, we've got an article on doulas, what they do, and how to find one. :) |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 19 October 2010 at 7:02pm
Ooo thats awesome to hear Katherine! 
Doulas can be so valuable to so many familys and its a shame NZ doesn't have more! I can't wait for the next issue!  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 1:13pm
I would be quite interested in this too, even if you just give a range of what doulas charge so its not really advertising, more answering questions
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Posted By: MerlinFluff
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 3:56pm
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^ Me too, especially PP ------------- ***Elly***
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 4:41pm
There was a doula page in the nappy hunt that I thought was quite good - based in Aussie so not applicable to here really but useful for answering questions about what a doula does 
Here tis: http://www.newcastledoula.com.au/Birth_By_You_-_Newcastle_Doula/Home.html - Birth By You ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: Emmecat
Date Posted: 21 October 2010 at 8:08pm
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I would've loved a Doula but like the rest of you, didn't know where to start looking for how much they cost etc. Am also quite interested in training to become one....once I'm past having this baby and maybe settled down a bit lol -------------   http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 10:00am
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Hi Ladies,
Here is some information on what Doulas do, including the benefits of using one. The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth. A Doula recognizes birth as a key experience that the mother will remember all her life. She has studied the physiology of birth and understands the emotional needs of a woman in labour She will also be able to assist the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth. A doula helps the woman at her home in early labour, until she is ready to transfer to the birthing unit if she has chosen a hospital birth. She is a valuable continuous support, in that she stays with the mother until the baby is born-irrelevant of shift changes with the LMC and hospital staff. Apart from emotional support she offers, she provides many physical comfort measures and works with various labour positions to encourage optimal fetal positioning. Doulas perceive their role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience. We also encourage the woman's partner to participate at a level that is comfortable to him. Studies have shown the benefits include; - decreases c-section rate by up to 50%, - decreases the length of labor by 25%, - decreases the risk of synthetic oxytocin by 40% - decreases the requests for epidurals by up to 60% Doula's fees vary according to their experience, the type of package they offer and other factors. In New Zealand fees seem to vary from $350 - $1800. A lot of Doula's are also negotiable with their fees, with some offering free services to support teen mums. ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 10:38am
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I do wonder if there's as much need for doula support here in NZ where most women have midwife-centred care? I completely understand how it can be essential in the US where midwives are the exception rather than the norm, but I just wonder if midwives might feel their toes are being trodden on a little?
(Coming from a sympathetic point of view - I'm another one who's considered doula training, the requirements didn't seem particularly onerous) -------------
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 11:13am
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The requirements to become a Doula - its all about the passion for supporting another woman during pg & labour - and having a very strong support structure at home - I spent 18hrs away from home yesterday & dh was happy to continue family life in my absence ;)
------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 22 October 2010 at 1:20pm
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Can I ask what the training involves? That seems very expensive considering you could just about hire another midwife for that price!
How many visits do you do antenatally and postnatally? |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 23 October 2010 at 8:34am
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Mybeautiful3, thanks for adding that. Its really neat to hear a perspective of the job and to know that you do fit in around the NZ midwifery care.
I can't wait to do the training, I'm actually very excited to soon be able to be a doula and support women in labour & before & after.
Emmecat thats my plan too, once this bub is maybe 4+months old..Depending on how I'm coping LOL!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jacobsmummy
Date Posted: 23 November 2010 at 4:33pm
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ive never used a doula, but we had a cbe student for my 2nd pregnancy, but she didnt make it the birth because isabella arrived at 31wks in the early hours because i had a placenta apurbtion and needded a c-section straight away.
Think my mw rang her later cos my cbe student rang me to see how i was etc. She did get to go to a antnatal vist and got to go to a scan, it was neat to be able to share my pregnancy with a birth support person, also hubby was there too. Id been keen on doula training, i googled on the net doula and it come up with birth and postnatal ones. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 10 December 2010 at 8:53pm
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You can try Childbirth International or Optimum Childbirth - jacobsmummy :) ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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Posted By: jacobsmummy
Date Posted: 16 March 2011 at 5:03pm
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Cool il have a look at them :) ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mybeautiful3
Date Posted: 28 April 2011 at 2:22pm
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jacobsmummy - let me know if you need any further info - else PM me :) ------------- Just my job as a Birth Doula!
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