doula advice please?

I have recently learned that we are expecting #2 and I have been considering since DD was born whether or not to hire a doula this time. Last time I ended up with a c/s at 38+6 because DD had flipped back to breech after an ECV at 38+2. As I am hoping for VBAC this time, I was hoping that perhaps a doula would be able to offer support and advice to try to avoid a repeat c/s, especially if we find ourselves with another breech baby.


I was hoping someone would be willing to offer some advice as to whether my expectations are realistic and perhaps suggest how to go about finding someone suitable. There seem to be so many doulas listed and I have no idea how to find the one that's right for us. I'm also not certain whether there are any issues if I will be going through a private hospital with an OB?

TIA for any advice you can offer.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Does your OB/hospital support VBAC? That's the first question, really. If they put lots of obstacles in your way and make it difficult for you then a doula may not help much. In any event, they can't stop you having who you want in the room with you. Generally speaking, having a doula does increase your likelihood of a successful VBAC, I think.

The best way to choose a doula is to ask around and interview some. You need to get a feel for them to know whether you're going to be able to connect with them - if not they won't be much use to you anyway.

When DD was born, our OB said she'd be supportive of a VBAC if we had another baby the same size and not breech.

how big was your DD?

She was 7lb 5oz (3.32kg).

I'd be slightly concerned about the 'no bigger' comment. It's not like she was big at all. Dont' want to sound like a negative nancy, just that so many mothers who've had previous c/s struggle to find true support to birth vaginally, and they're often surprised by their carers right at the end of the pregnancy.
It's up to you, of course, and I hope that you will be supported to make decisions that you are truly happy with :)

Yes, I'll have to pin her down on how big she's willing to let me go. Although, since my first appt isn't until 11wks, it'd be hard to change at that point.

I am hopeful since she said she would support a VBAC without me asking about it. Maybe it was because she knew I didn't want the c/s or maybe she really meant it. I don't know and it's very difficult to find out from others what their experience with her is.

It can be really hard, yeah.
I hope she is supportive and you're able to work toward the birth you want.
And good luck finding a doula too.

Thanks. :)

Juniper there are a couple of things that spring to mind when readin ur story. One is that u/s is notoriously unreliable for gauging a baby's weight, so how on earth is she going to know how big ur baby is? Two there is nothing that says a bigger baby will stop u having a vbac. Three most subsequent babies are bigger. That's pretty normal for most mums. To be really really honest I don't think from what u have said, that ur OB is really vbac supportive. Because a dr who is, doesn't impose those restrictions straight up. U may find yourself getting to 36 weeks and then find her saying.... Ohhh I don't want u to go past 39 weeks. Etc etc etc. my advice is to go and have a read of ICAN (international caesarian awareness network). They have sections that offer advice on picking birth attendant s who really support vbacs. There are simple things like finding out what her c/s rate is, what her vbac rate is. Does she actively encourage vbac? This is starting to get to know whether she really believes vbac is possible and fantastic and empowering for women. A doula can help u, for sure. But u have to decide what u r willing to do to get ur vbac. If u arnt willing to walk away from an unsupportive OB because u don't want to offend her (if that is what u decide it takes to get good support) then a doula can't help u if u can't/won't help urself...... Does that make sense? I don't mean to come across super confronting at all. U might want to go and have a talk with Debbie from birth talk in Brisbane. She is apparently awesome an a great doula. She may or someone else may be able to help u work with what u r willing to give to this journey to make ur dreams come true.

Xx Bella. Ps I believe u have the potential to absolutely have a great birth. The most important choices u make will be about who u have to support you.