Doula

I decided a while ago that I was going to hire a doula for the birth and Joe and I found someone really great. We met with her this past Sunday and the three of us really clicked and felt really good about working together. For those who are not familiar with what a doula does, you can go here, http://www.dona.org/mothers/index.php. This is the national doula organization's site and they have all of the information about what a doula does and why it is beneficial to have a doula attend the birth. Doulas are trained in labor and birth and are cerified to do what they do. They provide extra emotional and informational support throughout the labor and birth. They do not perform any medical procedures.

We will meet with her again in July and then we will call her when I go into labor and she will come meet us and be with us throughout the birth through about two hours after the baby is born. She will also be able to assist me with breastfeeding and make sure everything is going right for me and the baby. Then she will do one post partum visit at home sometime in the first couple of weeks after the baby is born. She will be a great extra source of support for both me and Joe and will be able to help coach Joe throughout the labor as to what I may need depending on the point of labor I am at. She will be able to provide informational support and explanations about what is happening in labor as it is happening. This page from her website talks about the benefit to the dad of having a doula present, and this talks about the birthing experience.

Doulas are not covered by insurance, so this is an out of pocket expense, though well worth it. This was the last thing that I wanted to get set before the birth, so I think we are about ready to go. We have the first of our classes on Monday the 27th, which is the breastfeeding class. Then in May we have a parenting class, and then in June we start our birthing classes. Only a few more months until she is here!