Not too many people know what a doula is, or why hiring a doula is so important for a quick and not-so-painful birth. Here are 5 reasons why you should hire a doula: 1. Doctors and Nurses Your doctor and the nurses on duty at the time will be in and out of the room as you labor. A doula however will stay with you from the beginning and won’t leave until the baby is born, the placenta is delivered, and, if you’re going to be breastfeeding, the first latch is established. Doulas will also come to your home if you want to labor there for a while before heading to the hospital, while doctors and nurses don't. Nurses generally can't stay in your room for very long, and also won't come back for another hour unless called. So if you need to move, or need something to eat, but don't want to bother the nurses, a doula is there to help. 2. Doulas Complement The Fathers Unless your significant other is a midwife or OB/GYN, he or she isn’t going to know nearly as much about the birth process as your doula. Even if it’s your second or third time having a baby, there will likely come a time when your partner will probably feel overwhelmed. Your doula is there to guide both of you through the process. She can suggest specific ways your partner can help you, while respecting the intimacy of your experience together. 3. Very Affordable The fee for doula services varies widely depending on the location. In cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, seasoned certified doulas charge between $1200 and $2700 for pre-birth discussions and full-time labor and delivery help. In St. Louis, the going rate for an experienced doula is $800 - $1200. If you can't afford that though, there are ways to find an affordable doula. In rural parts of the country the cost is much less. Many doulas are willing to volunteer for low income families, and all doulas-in-training need birth experience, so many are willing to attend births for free or for a nominal fee. 4. They Are A Wealth of Information Expecting moms can lean on their doulas for emotional support and valuable information and advice in the weeks leading up to the birth. This can be particularly helpful for first-time moms, uncertain about how to differentiate between, say, Braxton Hicks contractions and the real thing. A mother shared, "When my water broke, I called my doula first — and then my doctor. She (my doula) suggested I eat and rest before heading to the hospital — a lifesaving suggestion since I had a 24-hour labor and an unplanned c-section ahead of me." 5. She'll Be There Unlike doctors and some midwives, doulas only schedule a few births a month. That means they’re almost guaranteed to be there for the big event. Another mom shared, "I had my son on Christmas Eve, and still, my doula met me at the hospital in 15 minutes flat and never once complained about having to eat Christmas dinner out of a hospital vending machine. My midwife, on the other hand, was vacationing for the holiday and missed my birth." With many doctors and midwives working in group practices, it’s a relief to know there’ll be at least one expert at your birth who you'll have an ongoing relationship with.
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