Is there any point having a doula..

[tsgirl]

Hope you don't mind me popping in but just wanted to give a voice from a midwife perspective. I have been involved in births with doula's and there has been no conflict at all. To me, personally, a doula is a support person for the woman and is no different to some women having their mum or friend there. We midwifes aren't horrible creatures who think of a doula as someone to butt heads with or they are treading on our toes. I always follow a birth plan the best I possibly can. We are all in the birth suite together to give the labouring woman and her partner the birth they want.
A doula is a fantastic idea to give you the support you want and also to have someone in with you who knows all of your wishes and is also someone you are comfortable with if a decision needs to be made during your labour when you aren't in your normal frame of mind. Please don't forget that a midwife is there to help you too. Talk to them and let them know.

Sorry to hijack the thread but I wondered about your views on a woman bringing an IM with her Nurse Dan?

Feel free to PM me if it's more appropriate than replying here.

Cheers

[BellyBelly]

With the benefits your own independent midwife can offer, do you care what they think? Its your birth, your body and your experience - don't let anyone else's insecurities get in the way.

You could always say its your support person or family, they wouldn't know better and they can't do medical procedures or catch the baby anyway.

[tsgirl]

Thanks Kelly, I have no doubt that the IM I have chosen will work with me to make pregnancy & birth as amazing as it can be.

Was just interested in the perception of IM's from a hospital midwife. I was hoping that it might be recognised as a decision based on the failings of the system, rather than a comment on hopsital midwives, and as such that there wouldn't be any conflict.

[Liviam]

Hi tsgirl,
I have never worked with an independant midwife but I would treat an IM exactly the same as a doula, with professionalism. Like Kelly said they are there to support you and no respectable midwife would have a problem with any support person being there to support a woman regardless of their qualifications. In my eyes there is absolutely no difference between an IM or doula or partner or any other support person. We are all there to help the woman have the birth experience they want. I would have whoever helps make you the most comfortable in your birth suite during your labour.
Hope that helps.

[tsgirl]

Cheers Nurse Dan!!

[BellyBelly]

I forgot to add, all the studies showing the benefits of the doula or professional support person, the benefits were recorded where the support person was not a member of staff of the establishment...