Advice for talking to DH about a doula

[e_p]

I'm on my phone so can't see where you live, but if you're in Melbourne I really highly recommend looking into the ante-natal classes run by Di Diddle - they are really wonderful preparation for labour and birth, especially for partners!! They are independently run and so cost a bit, but DH and I did them and it was the best money we spent throughout our pregnancy. We actually left one of the classes and DH suggested we have a doula

[PumpkinZulu]

I can second Di Diddles classes, they're great!

[HotI]

What type of person is he? If he is analytical, into stats etc you can print out the benefits of having a doula (lower rates of intervention, ...)

Think about the reasons why you want a doula, and then how these reasons apply to your dh.

[Pholi]

Hi k4t,

When my sister had her first two (14 and 12 years ago) she persuaded her DH to agree to have me there as a 'support person'. He wasn't keen, but after the event, and still even today, he raves about how great it was having two of us there. My sister had a very demanding birth, and two of us meant there was a little bit more to go around in terms of holding the water ready to sip, holding her hand, holding the gas mask handy when she reached for it, rubbing her low back, and keeping the fan directed at her face, all at the same time. And it meant we could take a coffee or toilet break ourselves, without leaving her alone. When her second was due, her DH suggested they ask me again.

You could discuss it with him in terms of having a support person there to back him him, to make sure you never have to be alone if he needs a few minutes out, and having already discussed the people you know you don't want there, prompt the suggestion of a professional support person, instead of a friend or family member.