Day 11: Why We had Doulas

Day 11 offers just a smattering of why moms choose doulas! I surveyed many moms from all over, and this is what they said. ​Why did you choose a doula?

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"I was worried about going through labor without my mom. When it came to options I learned about doulas. I didn't mean to get a doula who was older and motherly, but it worked out that way. Out of all the doulas I interviewed the one I connected to best was an older doula. I felt like she channeled my mother so I was able to have that comfort I wanted."  
​Marcella H., Boise, ID

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"Our son was diagnosed with hydrocephaly during pregnancy. Instead of the natural birth I was trying, I was faced with needing a lot of help and interventions. When more tests showed he could have a few more complicating medical problems, our doctor said c-section would be our best choice for his birth. My doctor handed me a piece of paper with a name on it, and she was a doula. He recommended to me to call her, he said he heard from many patients she was really good help when a mom has a c-section. Marlene helped us get things ready at home before the c-section, and she was there the day of his birth. She also came afterwards to help as a postpartum doula. I don't know how we would have made it through those first weeks without Marlene!" Arista R., Friendswood, TX

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"I wanted someone to have a real brain when all of this was happening!! I didn't think I would be able to focus, or my husband, so we got a doula. She was worth every penny!" Mindy G., Anchorage, AK

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"My first baby's birth wasn't exactly how I planned. When I got pregnant with my second I heard about doulas and what they do. I checked around in my local mommies group and found out some moms had used doulas and been really happy. I was surprised by how much information we got from our doula. We took Birthing classes with our first but there was still so much we didn't know! Our doula helped us make a plan so we could have more say in what things were a part of our birth." Cyndi B., Tampa Bay, FL

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"My sister worked as a doula. She was going to be with my for my 3rd baby (this would be my first time having a doula. I wanted to try to go natural). She arranged the time off and bought her airplane ticket since I was in Minnesota and she was in Colorado. 8 weeks before I was due her son broke his jaw and needed a lot of care. She didn't feel she could still come to me, but she was able to find a doula for me anyway. I was nervous and almost said forget it, I will just get an epidural. My sister made me promise I would at least meet with this doula before I decided for sure. I met with Nadia and felt really good about having her at my birth. She did a great job at distracting me and helping me move around in labor. I did have my baby without an epidural. Next time I think I will have my sister and Nadia at my birth." Shelly I., St. Paul, MN 

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"My husband and I got pregnant right before he was deployed to Kuwait. Our plans were to wait until he was back, but accidents happen apparently. I knew he would probably not be able to be at our baby's birth and a friend told me about Operation Special Delivery. My doula was ready and wiling to help me when I felt alone. I can't even say how much of a sense of relief I had knowing she would be with me in birth. It took all of my worries away." Raquel N., Tulsa, OK

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"I knew I wanted a doula at my birth. My only problem was, I couldn't find one close to me. My best friend knew how important this was to me. On her own, she looked up everything she could find about doulas. She ordered books and read and studied. She did all this to be my doula. She enjoyed it so much (and I say she was very, very good!), she went on to be trained as a doula. She helped me because she knew all the things I couldn't remember. I would only have a doula at my birth from now on, I wouldn't try to do it without that support." Gretchen B., Essen, Germany