Would you use a doula?
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Category: Pregnant
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18059
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Topic: Would you use a doula?
Posted By: MrsMojo
Subject: Would you use a doula?
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 1:59pm
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Not many people use doulas in NZ and I wonder if that's because their services aren't well known, and maybe there aren't many around. So I'm curious, would you use a doula? For those that don't know doulas are trained laywomen who provide emotional and practical support to you and your family during the birth and postnatal period. Using a doula has been found to lessen stress and anxiety on the pregnant women and her partner. A doula should be a warm, caring, non-judgemental, experienced, knowledgeable and encouraging force during childbirth and in the post partum period. A doula is a non-medical assistant who provides physical, emotional and informed choice support in prenatal care, during childbirth and during the postpartum period. They work alongside (but do not replace) your midwife and doctor. A birth doula is a continuous care provider for labor in many settings, also assisting the mum-to-be during transport from home to hospital or birth center. A postpartum doula may begin care in the home (nutritious cooking for the mother, breastfeeding support, newborn care assistance, maternal-child bonding support, errands, light housekeeping) the next day after the birth, providing services through the first six weeks postpartum. In some cases, doula care can last several months or even to a year post partum - especially in cases when mothers are suffering from post partum depression, children with special needs require longer care, or there are multiple infants. -------------  
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Replies:
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:04pm
yep if could off affored it i would of used one but i havent hread of any in dunedin ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:10pm
| Short answer: No I wouldn't |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:13pm
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Apparently in the UK many have a flat fee of $500-600 for the 6 weeks post partum (I don't know how many hours each day though). Considering what I went through my first few months with Michaela I'd definitely be willing to pay that amount. Surely there are a few doulas out there but the only one I could find in NZ registered with Dona (the international doula organisation) is based in Palmerston North. -------------
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:20pm
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I definitely would, esp cos we don't have family in Auckland. I think having someone else there in labour would be really good support for me, and probably more importantly for DH, so he could feel free just to support me, not run around heating wheatpacks etc. There is one in Akld that I know of but I don't agree with her philosophy and don't want any extra stress in the labour room! ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:29pm
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Nope! I loved that it was just DH and I during the birth. May have considered using one for afterwards esp if we didn't have family close but my MW was awesome and kinda think that having a MW and a doula would be overkill...apparently in aussie they are a big thing but thats because there healthcare system is so different and they don't temd to have as many idependent MW's. -------------  
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:34pm
Ummm if i was feeling very uneasy about the birth and stuff then i would consider one. But my midwife is fantastic so with her DF and my mum I will be totally fine ------------- |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 2:45pm
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I wouldn't use a birth doula either. I had a fab pregnancy, a fantastic midwife, my mum and DH as support people and a great birth. It was post partum that I needed extra help, between them I had mum and DH with me for the first 2 1/2 weeks which wasn't long enough. -------------
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Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 3:03pm
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Reviewing my earlier comments! - it will be just me, DH and MW, but if I could have someone there I liked and trusted, then I probably would. Unfortunately big sister is in Dunners, otherwise would have her there in a flash.
We have DH at home for 2 weeks after baby, then other family for nearly 4 weeks after that, so hopefully will be OK. I wonder if the doula thing has partly had a resurgence cos people are away from family/supports etc and Plunket etc is maybe not as well resourced as it used to be?? ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: kabe
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 3:04pm
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I wouldn't use one either. My AN educator made herself available to all of us (free of charge) if we wanted her support at the delivery. One of the couples took her up on the offer and found it really helpful having her there. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 3:11pm
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Sounds like you'll be fine. Reviewing my previous comments (too) I would hire a doula for postpartum care only if I didn't have the family support. Last time round we were too concerned about money and so DH didn't take any unpaid leave, which is why he was only off for 5 work days, luckily we had easter weekend inbetween too so that increased the time he had off. Mum couldn't stay for longer than a week because my older sister was about to have her second child by c/s and mum was going up to help her. Next time round I'll be rallying the troups. I'm hoping that by then DH will still be working late (2pm - 9:30pm) so he can help during the day and I'll see if my mum and sis want to take turns coming over in the evenings. I'm older and wiser now and don't expect to be supermum next time - not right away anyway
I agree that doula's are having a resurgence due to people living further away from their families so they don't get as much family support and also think it's because the Karitane hospitals are no longer around. -------------
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Flissty wrote:
Posted By: ciranoush
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 3:52pm
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I'm in USA and having a doula at the labour/birth. It took me a while to decide because its not cheap ($1500 + for the experienced ones.) I wouldn't have one in NZ.
I'm having one here partly because we are away from family and also because I don't have a great relationship with my LMC - an OB - and am a bit scared of being pressured into unnecessary medical interventions. I wanted a doula to give me extra support to have a more natural birth experience within the strangeness of the American system where epidural rates are around 95% and c-sections are around 50%. |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 4:27pm
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Katherine had a doula at Emma Rose's birth, I'm not sure if she had her postnatally as well tho. Bugger that she's off globetrotting coz she'd be really interested in this discussion.
I wouldn't use one for labour/birth probably, seems a bit 'fussy' to me, but in the first few weeks after I had the gremlins I could definitely have done with someone to help out! I had a nanny start when they were 2 weeks old but she only worked a few hours a week and it was nights that I needed it most. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 7:40pm
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Just seems like too many people to keep updated on birth plan, how you're feeling, etc. Having a doula at the birth would have made me feel rather crowded out, I like just mw and DH for the most part. Postpartum service sounds great but I wasn't aware of it - but I don't think I would have bothered. ------------- |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 9:16pm
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Not for the birth but afterwards I think I would. I know the woman in Palmy that does it (well I used to work with her son) and I have heard she is lovely but I think I would need more help afterwards. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Kellz
Date Posted: 10 June 2008 at 7:45am
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Yep I so would. I had an awful birth experience, and several change of midwifes duringt he birth too,...DH and I could both have done with that sort of support. No family closer than 2 hrs away.
How do I go about finding out if there is someone here to do that for next time around? |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 10 June 2008 at 8:55am
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Kellz, since posting I've found a site that links to Doula directories. Here's the link: http://www.optimumbirth.co.nz/locations/findadoula.html - http://www.optimumbirth.co.nz/locations/findadoula.html Actually scrap that, I couldn't find any on there either. Try googling Doula and specify pages from NZ only. You could also ask a midwife, antenatal class instructor, plunket or your local parents centre if they can recommend anyone. -------------
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Posted By: beckajayne
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 6:55am
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As a kiwi, now living in Vancouver and training to be a doula - it has been really interesting to read this thread! I actually came on here to look for support for someone at home thinking about training to be a doula and then I had to register so I could give my thoughts!
It is interesting that there is quite a lack of knowledge surrounding doulas in New Zealand, and I myself had never really heard of them (apart from Rikki Lake!) until I became friends with an american midwife. They're really popular here, and while we're so close to the states our maternity care is quite different and alot more like NZ. While there are definately 'traditional' hospital biths, midwives are very widely used - often in conjunction with doulas. I think that alot of peoples concerns are exactly the ones people have raised here. Too many people at the birth, having a stranger there, taking over the partner or midwives role, or if not taking over then just having too much overlap. Luckily, this really isn't the case. Of course it is every mothers choice who she does and does not have at the birth, but the research that has been done into the effects of having a doula (and this is research that has been done all over the world) is truly incredible! Lower c-section rates, lower epidural times, faster labours, lower levels of PPD, etc, etc. The doulas job is there to support the mother in whatever way she needs. If this is getting heatpacks ready and being otherwise hands off, then thats it. A doula spends time with the mother (and partner if wanted) prior to labour, discussing concerns, birth plans, etc - really anything the mother wants to know about, its totally flexible and mother driven - and by the labour has usually met with them for two 1.5-2hr sessions. By this time, a connection has been made that will often develop to an even deeper one during labour! Her role is different from the MW as she is completely non-medical, so while the MW might be engaged doing other stuff - the doula is there meeting the mothers emotional needs at all time, as well as some physical ones (massage, helping with positioning, etc). Her role is different to the partners role, as she is not emotionally connected to mum and baby in the same way, and therefore can not only be more neutral, but can also model behaviour for the partner when they're unsure of what to do. From what I have seen here, doulas are supporting mums from all across the board. On one end of the scale is at risk teen mothers, to mothers that have lots of support in their complication free labour. I think the misconception that they are only beneficial for 'difficult' births is unfortunate. We all could use a little extra support! Ok, I think I've written enough! Of course as I said it is every mothers choice, but I think alot of people would be pleasantly suprised by just how beneficial a doula can be! |
Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 8:18am
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I probably would, DH is a bit like a headless chicken in stressful situations and as I don't have family here it would be great for afterward as well.
I don't have any spare cash though so will just have to manage with my headless chicken. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 9:21am
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I definately would .. and would have during my last pregancy but found out a tad too late!
I found the whole labour process daunting and by the time they needed to cut me open and pull Issy out I was terrified (and so was DH). I think it would have helped us both if we had a "mother hen" figure to hold our hands and reassure us. (with knowledge of medical/labour etc - its not the same if your Mum tells you lol) Then afterwards .. DH practically coped alone as I couldnt move or lift her 
I would definately have one next time (if I could find one available). ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 9:34am
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If we had the money it would definately be something I considered (especially after reading your post beckajane!) - I didn't even know there were any in New Zealand... like most people here I think it would be mainly for post-partum support, but it would be nice to build up that connection first. ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 9:51am
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No , my mum does that role beautifully ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Busy mum to Miss 15yrs, Miss 10yrs and Master 4yrs |
Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 10:24am
34 kilos Kels .. are you joking? There will be nothing left of you ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 03 August 2008 at 1:43pm
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As a kiwi living in Singapore, I definitely would and am hoping to start looking for one next week now that I have convinced DH it's a good idea I will have her there during labour/birth and for one or two visits post-partum as well.
Using a doula seems common over here, amongst expats at least, possibly because it's harder to have family nearby when you're living so far away. Also, all maternity care here is through an obstetrician so I want someone, other than DH, who will be with me right through the experience. I'm also really keen on trying hypnobirthing and the group of doulas that I'm considering using can do this as well, so I would do the classes at their centre. ------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |