Can anyone write about their experience using a birthing doula? If so, how much did it cost? And what services did they perform?

Thank you.

I am pretty sure that everyone's experience with a doula would be as individual as the birth experience itself. I am assuming that you or someone you know is trying to decide if you would benefit from a doula. I can't give a definite yes or no, but I can tell you about our experience.

Here in a not real booming part of northeast America it cost us $425.00 (and actually it was a baby shower gift). I am sure cost varies.

We used a doula for the birth of our first child. We met with her once before the birth and spoke to her several times over the phone and through email. She helped us figure out the kind of birth we (I) wanted and to write a birth plan. I mostly wanted to know that I would have someone there who could offer suggestions to me if something came up, who was practiced in pain management techniques, and who could offer moral support if I found myself having to stand up to the docs about certain procedures.

I was glad I had her help working out the birth plan, but we found that she wasn't really necessary at the birth, for us anyway. However, I was more at ease before the birth just knowing she would be there.

We also attended a really thorough childbirth class given by the hospital and it turned out that our instructor for the class was on duty when I went into labor. She was familiar with my wishes for birth and made the whole experience at the hospital really easy on me.

I was three weeks early, but still wanted to proceed with as little intervention as possible. My water broke before I had any contractions, so I was against the clock as far as the docs wanting to use pitocin to move things along.

I stayed home for just under 12 hours (I was in contact with my doctor from the start) and was really worried that I would not be dilated enough when I got to the hospital and the doctor would have to intervene. I totally credit the doula with helping me get to 8 cm by the time I got to the hospital (was a big surprise to everyone!). I was on the phone with her throughout the day and she gave me several tips that I know helped me maximize my contractions and move things along.

The doula organization offered other services, childbirth classes, post-partum care, and access to a lactation consultant. We did not avail ourselves of any of these services mostly due to how far away we lived.

I hope this has been some help. In case you don't already have it, below is the website for the national US doula organization.

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