Doula worth the money?

Question

Hi ladies,
I am considering having a doula help for my birth. I interviewed one who seems great. Issue is it will cost $1100 out of pocket (insurance doesn't cover doulas). It will also cost $25 per hour after the first 24 hours of labor/birth that she is with me. It could be a great emotional help for me but the cost is also pretty high. Anyone have experiences and opinions to share on this topic?

Answer

Both of my midwives are trained doulas and home birth is out of pocket so we aren't hiring a doula. But if I were giving birth in the hospital and didn't have support and wanted a natural birth, I'd absolutely hire one. They have tons of birth training, and they improve mother baby outcomes. Do some research, and ask about either discounts, barter, or a doula-in-training.

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Honestly, call a doula school and ask for a doula in training they're half the price and they won't give you someone who doesn't know what they're doing. My own hospital recommend I do that.

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It's definitely not worth it to me. Someone who is paid to be supportive just can't really be that supportive in my opinion. You're just a check to her. Also it's not like they have real medical training for me to feel it's necessary to pay them. If your spouse isn't up to it I'd have a family member or friend be there for you, it's out of love and you have a connection already.

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We hired one bc I have heard nothing but great things. I was surprised to hear that our doula charges 1000-15000... The 1000 is for two prenatal sessions, delivery and she stays until after baby is feeding, then comes by once after we're all home. The extra 500 is for certain families who want to contribute to her fund of providing people who can't afford a doula an affordable service. I really liked that idea, and bc our birth will be free, I decided to contribute to her find. You may want to ask around your area with other moms and doulas and see if anyone does something like this.

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I am meeting with a doula tomorrow. It's $1000 and covers 3 pre delivery visits and being with me through before and during labour and a post delivery visit. It's a lot of money for us so I hope tomorrow's visit will help me decide. My husband can be up to 2 hours drive away at work and I like the idea of having the support here right away. He doesn't deal with stress well lol I love him dearly but we both know it would be great to have some help  so I would love a paid knowledgable calm support person with me. We all have different needs and this feels like what I need to be comfortable.  My mother has early dementia and is in a retirement home so I can't have her with me. 
Originally I had been chatting with other doula I wanted who only charged $500 but was not available on my due date and could not find an available back up.

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I had been thinking about getting one myself, but held off due to expense, so I'm glad you posted this topic. This is our first baby and we're doing a natural water birth (God willing) at a birth center with midwives. I asked them their opinion about a doula and they said they were a great asset to women who feel they need that extra emotional support, but if you have good open communication with your partner about what you expect from him/need from him during birth...they said most women find that to be enough. 
So maybe have that conversation with your husband and get his feedback on what he's willing to do/not do, then make your decision from there. 
I feel comfortable with my husband being my support. I've told him what I think I'll need from him during labor, i.e. backrub/scalp rub, encouragement, let me hold onto him while I sway or walk, hold my hand through the wave of contractions, bring me food/water or a cold compress for my head, to just be present in the moment with me, strong and comforting.

I have faith he'll be my rock through labor and birth. He's an awesome husband and will be an amazing father to our daughter 💜

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They are worth it but that seems a bit high.  Maybe price compare.  Mine in typically $750 but also has a sliding scale you can put yourself on if you can't afford that.

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ABSOLUTELY

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Wasn't for us

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Dang. We're pretty well-off and even I can't justify that.