I'm getting a Doula!

Feb 08, 2011 11:03

I'm so excited! I'm getting a Doula! I didn't know they could be used for "non-super-crunchy" births so I hadn't looked into it. Well, I was reading a post here the other day and found out they were helpful for any type of pregnancy. I checked the Google but couldn't find any in my area. I was really bummed but ok. Then I was browsing the CL and ( Read more... )

doulas, fathers

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Comments 22

allisonjayne February 8 2011, 17:13:56 UTC
How do you explain what a Doula is and why I/we need one to the other half?

I think this depends on your other half! For some people, the most appealing thing might be that it'll lessen the strain on them in terms of providing physical/emotional support during labour. For others, it might be the statistical advantage of avoiding some interventions.

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kissfirst February 8 2011, 17:18:10 UTC
just tell him why you want one.

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love_saves_all February 8 2011, 19:36:48 UTC
Haha that's what I wound up doing and it worked perfectly :)

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ealexsism February 8 2011, 17:32:11 UTC
what does "non-super-crunchy" mean?

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herladyship February 8 2011, 18:39:02 UTC
"Crunchy" is a derogatory term for natural births.

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ealexsism February 8 2011, 18:46:26 UTC
what a strange expression in relation to childbirth!

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muirichinnahali February 8 2011, 19:38:50 UTC
"Crunchy" came from "granola," which has been often used to describe people who are into natural living/birthing. :)

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jennifer0246 February 8 2011, 17:51:16 UTC
I'd explain it as a doula is a non-medical person who knows a bunch about birth, and is hired to be present during labor and delivery, to help the mom and family. The help happens in a variety of ways - physical support like massage, helping to fetch drinks, ice, or snacks, verbally encouraging the mom that she's doing great, and helping with nursing after delivery are some common things that doulas are useful for. Dads are usually pro-doula because it means they don't have to be the only person mom is counting on, so they can experience labor and delivery for themselves, rather than solely focusing on how to make mom happy/comfortable/okay.

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arsefire23 February 8 2011, 18:27:03 UTC
How do you explain what a Doula is and why I/we need one to the other half?

Well, I would have talked to him first about it before scheduling a meeting. Seems like something important enough to discuss first - after all, this is another person in the labor/delivery room with you. I know my husband would be annoyed if I just decided to have another person without asking him if he was ok with it first.

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kort_ni February 8 2011, 18:57:36 UTC
This.

I would also probably bring your husband to the meeting. It's almost more important that he gets along with the doula than that you do. Also my doula (and the other we interviewed), DONA's website and "The thinking woman's guide to a better birth" did a good job of explaining to my husband why a doula is beneficial, but ultimately telling him why I wanted one (and I told him this before we got pregnant) is what got him on board.

Also, make sure that you click with this doula before you hire her. Don't just hire her because she's the only one in your area.

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love_saves_all February 8 2011, 19:34:58 UTC
Oh he will defiantly be there. I made the meeting time with him in mind.
I let him know why I wanted one and why I thought it would be good to have one when I told him about the meeting. So far he seems to think its a good idea. I did tell him that after we meet with her if he has any problems with her or the idea that we don't have to use a Doula.

"Also, make sure that you click with this doula before you hire her. Don't just hire her because she's the only one in your area."
I'm going to. I got a really good feeling from her just from talking to her over the phone today so HOPEFULLY I will still feel the same after our meeting.

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love_saves_all February 8 2011, 19:29:40 UTC
My husband is VERY easy going and flexible with the choices I make concerning the labor. His stance is: "You're the one that's going through the hard work, so whatever will make you happy and help you is fine."

When he came home for lunch I did mention that we had a meeting scheduled and let him know that after the meeting if he didn't want to use her then we wouldn't. I'm not that heartless haha.

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