It may be a little early to start looking, I don't know I'm new at this, but I'd like a doula if we can afford one. Partly because I don't have family or close friends nearby but mostly because I've heard such fantastic things from people who have had one (of course none of those people live around here).
I'd like to find someone who I'd be friendly with outside of the birthing experience not just someone who is friendly because we're paying. So in that bent - we're liberal, perhaps not entirely conventional life-style wise, not particularly religious (although some of our friends and family are and we like them) and we tend towards a rather dark sense of humor with lots of curse words for good measure. (I am making an effort, for the sake of those who have to listen to me, to emulate my Gramma and use more words like 'rats' and 'phooey' but it's slow going.) Pretty vague I know but it's a start.
Anyway, I'm open to the idea of someone who is in training. We live in Temple Terrace and my OB delivers at St Joe's. Ideally I'd like to labor at home as long as possible and have as little medical intervention as possible. I'd considered a home birth, and the option isn't off the table, but will probably go to the hospital for the actual event. I did look into the birthing center in Lutz but felt like it wouldn't be that far off from delivering in my own home and didn't see the point.
I'd like to know about how much it costs, if anyone knows someone etc...
********All New Update********
I had my baby at Labor of Love on 9/25 and it went really well. I'm REALLY happy I made the switch and wouldn't change a thing. Interestingly enough two of the things that the OB had mentioned that had me worried ended up happening and I honestly believe that had I stuck with her I would have ended up having a c-section.
First - my water broke before ANYTHING else happened and I didn't start having contractions until about two hours later. That means that had I gone to the hospital there I would have been, stuck in bed with no way to deal with the pain. Also there's a pretty good chance that I would have been given pitocin to start the contractions since it did take some time.
Second - by the time I started pushing I was very tired and my contractions slowed down to every five minutes or so. If I hadn't already been given pitocin they would have started it then for sure.
It turned out that my son was in a bit of a funny position so I was directed to turn this way and that to get him to adjust himself - things I wouldn't have been able to do while hooked up to machinery, an IV and more than likely numb from the epidural I probably would have broken down and gotten after being trapped in the bed for so long. Who knows he may have just stayed stuck, or at the very least been stuck longer, and the OB would probably have ordered a c-section. I know she would have at least mentioned it. Anyway, my midwife monitored my son closely during the pushing, which took three hours, and his heart rate was steady the whole time so I just got it done. It felt like it took forever and it hurt REALLY badly but my son and I were home about seven hours after he was born and settled into our own bed instead of stuck in recovery.
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I now have a doula (Tonya from Touched by an Angel) and have switched to Labor of Love in Lutz. After talking with Tonya and Stephanie I was better able to probe my OB for information regarding her views on childbirth and she said things like:
"We like to see a progression of at least a centimeter an hour." (So much pressure to perform!) "Of course you can walk around but you'll have to stay in bed after your water breaks." (Visions of being trapped in the bed and eventually begging for the epidural I don't want because I have no way to get away from the pain.) and, my personal favorite, 'You won't be allowed anything by mouth once you're at the hospital because of the possibility that you'll need a c-section.' (Wait! She's planning my c-section already?! Yikes! Run!)
All in all, in spite of my original less then thrilled reaction to the birth center photos online, it's certainly a much friendlier place than the hospital and is more impressive in person. I'm quite looking forward to giving birth instead of dreading it slightly.
Hi C., wel I wish I read this one before tha the Anger one, lol. Anyway, congratulations for you little boy. I hope you bolth are doing all right.I am glad you escaped from the C-secion, I had one with my first and it did took me longer to recupear than my second one which was a VBAC.
So well done, I am sure your 2 little once will have lots of fun.
Hey C.,
Contact the hospital.
I actually delievered at Tampa General (because I had a major amount of complications and that where my OB was) but before the delievery I was contacted by a doula who offered the service for free.
From my understanding they were a large non-profit organisation and Im sure St Joes is aware of them and can hook you up.
Good Luck and congratulations!
F.
Hi C.
I actually work at TGH and you can contact the hospital and get connected with the doula's there. They are not TGH employees so they aren't just for that hospital. I know they do in home stuff prior to delivery and I am pretty sure they go to different hospitals. They are amazing! They have a variety of techniques and strategies for pain relief and it's nice to just know that someone is there to really support you! Good luck!
M.
Hi,
My name is T. and I am just seeing your request. I am a doula in the Tampa area. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have or even set up a consultation so you can learn more about doulas. I work with several other doulas at Touched by and Angel. You can visit our website to learn more at www.angeldoula.com.
Thanks!
