doula search
I'm starting the search to find a doula on my own. I applied to Operation Special Delivery - they help military wives get a free doula if their husbands are deployed - and was accepted. They put me in touch with the volunteer lady for Washington and she's supposed to be looking for a doula for me. I waited a while and then contacted her multiple times and finally got a brief response that said she's still searching. Well time is running out and I don't think she's very reliable, she's not good at keeping in touch and I don't even know if she's really looking. I've heard that people have found doulas that need to attend more births to be certified and will offer free services, so that's what I'm hoping to find. I know there are a lot of doulas in Western Washington. I'm going to search on sites like CAPPA and email even the doulas who are already certified. I'm just not sure what to say... "Will you or do you know anyone who will be my doula for free... pretty please?" I guess I can just explain my situation and that I'm not having luck with Operation Special Delivery.
I know that it's a charity service and they can't guarantee that everyone gets a doula, but this is something that's really important to me. I don't want to give birth in a hospital to begin with. A home birth is not an option because I'm staying in my dad's little apartment for now, neither of my parents are comfortable with me having an UC in their homes and I need to respect their wishes. And Tricare will not cover a midwife or a birthing center, and I don't have the money to pay for anything out of pocket. The thought that I'd have a doula there for advice, encouragement, and to help enforce my birth plan was the thing that was making it okay that it has to be in a hospital.
Any advice on what I should say in my emails? And does anyone know specifically how to search for a free doula?
I know that it's a charity service and they can't guarantee that everyone gets a doula, but this is something that's really important to me. I don't want to give birth in a hospital to begin with. A home birth is not an option because I'm staying in my dad's little apartment for now, neither of my parents are comfortable with me having an UC in their homes and I need to respect their wishes. And Tricare will not cover a midwife or a birthing center, and I don't have the money to pay for anything out of pocket. The thought that I'd have a doula there for advice, encouragement, and to help enforce my birth plan was the thing that was making it okay that it has to be in a hospital.
Any advice on what I should say in my emails? And does anyone know specifically how to search for a free doula?