The Doula Situation

Edit by Aimee: This is Chris posting his first post in the pregnancy blog. Read and enjoy :-)

So today we went to our second pregnancy class. I still find it interesting that we take classes for pregnancy, the most natural thing that can ever happen to you. I guess it's more of a, "Here is what will happen to you in the next few months" class. Really, it goes a lot like this. "Can we do this/take this/eat this while we're pregnant?" "Yes, your body was made to do this, your baby is well protected, your baby will take what it needs from you." It's interesting. Anyways, one of the things that we asked our midwife about was hiring a doula. From what I can understand, the doula is sort of the equivalent of your attorney. Not from a legal perspective, but in the sense that it is someone you hire to represent you during the delivery. You hire them (there is a licensing association) and sit down and form a contract for you birth. You get to know them and talk to them about what you want your delivery to be like. This is most important for people that are really concerned about having a 'natural' birth. Natural in this sense means no epidural, no episiotomy, no drugs to induce labor, and certainly no c-section. Really, if that was all there was to it you wouldn't need the doula. Of course, there are certain circumstances where these procedures are necessary (of course, that is why they have them). This is where the parents run into problems. We want to deliver naturally, but what if the doctor says we need a c-section (or need to induce, or need to medicate for the pain)? I am positive that I am not going to be in the frame of mind where I want to be making that call. Also, I know jack squat about delivering babies and the complications that can arise. So a doula attends the delivery with you, knowing your desires, and helps make those calls with you. They have presumably attended quite a few births and know an awful lot about what goes on during a delivery. More than anything else, they help translate what the doctor (or midwife) is telling you in these situations. So anyways, we're thinking about it. Aimee has researched the cost and it seems low all things being considered. $300 -$600 I think was what she was seeing.

Anyways, we are thinking about it and we brought it up in our class today. We are in sort of a unique situation because we are using a midwife and are having twins. Because of the twins, our doctor will be at the delivery even though the midwife will do the delivery. Everything will be run by him and he will ensure that the babies are safe. We are lucky enough that our doctor has a great relationship with our midwife (they have a practice together). He is also a big proponent of natural deliver so we are not concerned that he will force us into something that we are not comfortable with (like a c-section because it's 5pm and dinner is ready :) ). This sort of alleviates the concerns we have about hiring a doula. We flat out asked our midwife what she thinks and she said she probably wouldn't do it if she was us. We're still thinking about it though!

Aimee just got home with a stroller from Target, thanks Grandma!!!!!! Talk to you again soon!

Chris