Have you ever heard of a Doula?

Question

I am curious as to if any of you women have heard of doulas! 
If you answered yes, comment below where you have heard of them and if they have a big impact on your community!
Did you have a doula? 
If you answered no and would like to know more, message me or follow me! I am going to start posting more about them and all they can do!
I will post more about birth and birthing education as well!

Answer

Yeah I've read about them, heard about them on the internet, talked about them at my doctors office. 
No I never had one. And would never want one.

Answer

I had a doula!!! She was absolutely amaaazing! I’m tearing up just thinking about it 😭 she was there EVERY STEP of the way. I labored for 36+ hours and eventually needed an emergency csection in which she was there too! She was so hands on. Pushing on my hips through all my contractions, giving me multiple things to smell through all my nausea, holding my hand and wiping away my tears, giving me pep talks, Omg I could go on. I just want to hug her now. 22 months later and the thought of her still makes me cry happy tears. 10000000% recommend getting one. They are the biggest support you’ll ever have.

Answer

Yes. I've heard of them, interacted with them and no, I would never use one.
A doulas job is primarily just to convey important information about the process of birth as well as to act as a support person and go between (mother and medical personel) doulas arent medically trained and have no certifications other than as a doula.
It's been my experience that while there are some who are amazing and work in tandem with the moms medical team...most erm...fancy themselves to be a primary member of the medical team. They will sometimes overstep their duties and advocate for things that arent appropriate causing confusion and heartache. Many a doula have been removed from the delivery room. More than you would realize. 
I'll give you an example....breach baby at 37.8 weeks. Scheduled c-section after attempt to turn baby didnt work. Placenta previa. Mom comes in after laboring at home for hours dispite her doctors instruction to come in immediatley if her waters were to break. Doula convinces her that they can turn the baby and avoid the csection. 
Severe bleeding and pain finally spurned dad to call the ambulance. Baby began coming during ambulance ride. Feet first, cord around neck, placenta fully ripped and ruptured. C-section modified and surgery imminent to save the babys life. Here comes the stupid doula fighting with the nurses and trying to convince the mom that she can deliver feet first, because the baby will "arms up and accomodate". Mom refused the section. Arguing commencing, mom loses consciousness and dad consents. All the while the doula is fighting. 
What was high stress and high tension became UNBEARBALE because of this woman. We tossed her out and barred her from the unit. Made a formal complaint. All that jazz. 
I could tell you stories like this one for days. 
Awful. Listen to your doctors. Listen to your nurses. Save the "support" positions for your loved ones. 
Just my cents.

Answer

I've seen people talk about them all over, I even know a few. I didn't have one for either birth because it didn't seem like a necessary expense. My midwife is very mom focused, but I could see it being more useful in a hospital

Answer

I've followed one on youtube.
Unfortunately I don't know what they are in my language or if they even have such a thing here.
Also with covid al lot of things didn't go through. No birthing classes, no physiology, no first aid classes (I actually paid for one), no hospital tour,...

Answer

I had a doula. I lived in Seattle for awhile and everyone had a doula there. So that’s how I heard about it. But now live in Bay Area SF. I got a doula and loved her more than my midwives I think way more important and beneficial to have a doula over a midwife as they are really just there to be a support system for you during labor. Mine was a godsent and would pay her twice as much for the same experience as she was amazing. We did it through a doula group and interviewed three before choosing one to work with.

Answer

My midwife mentioned it during our birth class at our clinic. I didn’t hire one though

Answer

Hired for all pregnancies, but it never worked out. First time, husband and I got laid off so decided to conserve the money. Second time, miscarriage. Third time, Covid and unexpected repeat c-section. She was great to talk to throughout the third pregnancy, though.

Have you ever heard of a Doula?

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