How did you ladies pick your Doula? Did you interview them? Did your ask for your doctors opinion?

How do you find a doula?

I hired a doula. Found her through word of mouth and then we had a meeting to get to know each other. I liked her immediately so I hired her. We met another three times before i delivered. We discussed my expectations of her, what services she would provide, she answered any questions I had, offered advice, made a birth plan and discussed any deviations from the birth plan should something change. She had a lot of books and dvd's I could borrow at any time as well.

For me she was my unbiased support person. I love my husband but we do not do well together under pressure and he had a very different view of how I should deliver. Also he works out of town so there was a good possiblility that i would be alone when things started to roll so she would be my support person. I didn't have much for a birth plan but there were a few things I did want to happen. Turned out baby came fast and furious and we were only at the hospital for an hour, half of that was at the admin desk. My doula made it there for the last 15 minutes but I was glad she made it when she did. My husband was no help he was sitting in a chair looking awfully pale and I had a student doctor delivering me. Things just happened so fast I felt panicked and when she got to the delivery room I just felt more sure of myself because she was confident in me. I was a little dazed and confused but she had her act together so when the medical staff asked me questions or wanted me to do something and i was unsure, I knew she had my back.

So when all was said and done I had a quick, drug free delivery. I will most definitely hire her again for baby #2. I just felt, for myself anyway, the support was exactly what I needed, even if it was for a short time.

She also spent time with me after delivery to help me shower, move around, answer questions etc. and then made a home visit after.

I hired a doula. Found her through word of mouth and then we had a meeting to get to know each other. I liked her immediately so I hired her. We met another three times before i delivered. We discussed my expectations of her, what services she would provide, she answered any questions I had, offered advice, made a birth plan and discussed any deviations from the birth plan should something change. She had a lot of books and dvd's I could borrow at any time as well.

For me she was my unbiased support person. I love my husband but we do not do well together under pressure and he had a very different view of how I should deliver. Also he works out of town so there was a good possiblility that i would be alone when things started to roll so she would be my support person. I didn't have much for a birth plan but there were a few things I did want to happen. Turned out baby came fast and furious and we were only at the hospital for an hour, half of that was at the admin desk. My doula made it there for the last 15 minutes but I was glad she made it when she did. My husband was no help he was sitting in a chair looking awfully pale and I had a student doctor delivering me. Things just happened so fast I felt panicked and when she got to the delivery room I just felt more sure of myself because she was confident in me. I was a little dazed and confused but she had her act together so when the medical staff asked me questions or wanted me to do something and i was unsure, I knew she had my back.

So when all was said and done I had a quick, drug free delivery. I will most definitely hire her again for baby #2. I just felt, for myself anyway, the support was exactly what I needed, even if it was for a short time.

She also spent time with me after delivery to help me shower, move around, answer questions etc. and then made a home visit after.

Wow, what a story! My husband was very passive during delivery, too, but that's how I wanted him to be. I would have gotten annoyed with him if he were up in my face telling me to push and stuff. Your doula sounds like a dream come true!

I had a doula and a doula-in-training at my delivery Friday. While my husband did well providing support, having a doula helped him just as much as me as it was a long time in labor (I was admitted at 7cm even though I wasn't necessarily in active labor, and was in the hospital for almost 26 hours before I delivered). The doulas took pictures throughout, stayed on the sideline unless actively needed, help with heat compresses and other pain relief techniques (it was mostly unmedicated labor until I let them break my water to try and get the last of the cervical lip moved). The whole time they were there for me, provided me with options and information on every option and backed up whatever decision I ended up making, even if it was contrary to my initial birth plan (unfortunately circumstances created quite a few deviations). Overall, I am so thankful they were there and would definitely have a doula with the next birth!

For those that are still considering/looking for a Doula, I thought I would share something I learned today at my checkup appointment. My husband and I interviewed a Doula last week and decided we didn't like her and did not hire her. However, she brought up some interesting nutritional advice that I decided to talk to my doctor about. The advice was sound but when the Dr asked who we interviewed. When I told her she said "I'm glad you didn't hire her because we won't work with her."...yikes! Who knew?!?! Turns out they have a list of Doulas (there is only 2 on the list) that they will not work with during labor & delivery AND she recommended that I call the hospital that I'll deliver at to ask for their list. She said they cannot advertise it but have to disclose the information when asked. Turns out that Doula is also banned from the hospital!

Guess my intuition was right.