Is a doula worth it?

Question

First time pregnancy and considering getting a doula but babies are so expensive, I wonder if they’re worth it. 
I am kind of a nut and need to be walked through everything before I do it. So I think a doula would be helpful. But just wondering what are your experiences with doulas? If I have a midwife, are they worth it?

Answer

Based on the kind of doula you’d like, they can be on call for you two weeks pre and post natal. OBs, doulas, and midwives all have different scopes of practice and all play different roles as a birth/labour and delivery team. If you feel that you’d like to have someone who can truly help honour your birth plan (if you have one and feel like you have some specific requests that you’d like honoured. Some women feel no need for a birth plan and some want to make sure it’s followed strictly, so it really depends on what you’re wanting) then it might help.
Doulas are there to be on call 24/7 even prior to the labour, so some women do feel that it can help when they have lots of questions and concerns. They are also the only part of the labour and delivery team that will be there as SOON as you feel you’re going into labour and say as long as needed. They can also be a helpful with communicating with your OB or midwife with where you are in timing of contractions and any progression in the labour. Again, it completely depends on what your desires are for your birth, but they also have shown to significantly decrease medical interventions (epidurals, c section, etc) so if that is something that is very important for you, a doula can help with that to. In the end, it’s completely up to you and does differ from women to woman. You can always interview a few, see how you feel and go from there. All the best!

Answer

I had a doula and honestly she was the most amazing asset during my pregnancy.
She was able to guide me through my entire birth, having to have pitocin, contractions, and was there for me after my emergency C-section.
She was able to help guide my husband on how you help me, stretching and moving, massage and even gave him breaks to leave (I had a 30 hour labor before the csection).
She was able to alert the nurses when they didn't see my sons HB dip several times, she knew what to look for, and that's when they knew he was stressed, if she hadn't seen it the nurses may not have for much longer.
She helped the nurses follow my birth plan, because a few times at the nurse changeovers, they didn't even pay attention to the birth plan WRITTEN ON THE WALL.
She helped me with latch and nursing right after birth, showing me how to hold and cradle for best nursing success.
Honestly having a doula was SO VALUABLE to me as a first time mom, I'm doing it again with my second child.

Answer

Babies are only expansive if you buy unnecessary shit for them , like a changing table. I think doulas are a waste. OB's or someone who's a friend can support you just the same way. Someone who's had experience with child birth

Answer

I think really education is key. Have you taken a birthing class? I took Lamaze with my fiance and we learned so much. My birth was at a birthing center with a midwife, but my partner was all the support I needed because we had taken that class. The midwife was just there to check on me and help get the baby out when it was time. Even if you don't do an actual class (though I highly suggest it), ask your OB/midwife as much as possible, read articles, ask people you know about when experiences/for advice... the more you know the better you will do/feel. 
This is the best piece of information/advice I received in class:

Is a doula worth it?

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