I just found out I am pregnant with our first child. I've always believed in having a natural birth that is drug free especially since I have a reaction to anesthetic and definitely do not want to put the baby at any risk therefore would like to be able to use the services of a Doula. I am not working and would like to know if any of you moms know of an affordable doula or one that is needing hours/hands on training to complete their certification. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I live in Plano.
Thanks.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond to my request. I really appreciate all your wonderful suggestions and tips. I have been seeing a midwife but since she is away I will be having my first appointment tomorrow with the OB/Gyn. I also just found out that my midwife will only deliver in a hospital which I do not want. Right now I am going to weigh all options and see what the best option will be for me and the baby.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
SM,
Give me a call, I am sure I can either help you myself or steer you in the direction of a doula in training. I live near Custer and Renner. I am a DONA certified birth doula and a certified Bradley Method® Educator.
K. Voigtsberger, CD(DONA), AAHCC
Whole Heart Birth Experience
www.wholeheartbirth.com
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Kathy Voigtsberger
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She has been doing this a long time! Tell her I sent you. She will take great care of you!
R.
____@____.com
Have you considered having a home birth with a midwife? Many insurances will cover midwife costs. This route is cheaper than delivering in the hospital and less risky (no one is going to push drugs or a c-section on you). Also, midwives can be excellent doulas so there would be no need to hire an extra person. :)
My friend Hannah is a doula in Ft. Worth. Not sure if she takes clients in your area. Here's her website
http://www.belliesinbloom.blogspot.com/
If you're looking for a natural birth experience, go to The Birth and Women's center of Swiss Avenue. www.birthcenter.net. I had both my children there, and with the constant support of the midwife (they don't leave until that baby is born) and the birth assistant a doula isn't even needed. I would only hire a doula if you plan on having your baby at a hospital as they will be your advocate when the nurse tries to talk you into an epidural, constant fetal monitoring or any other unnecessary intervention. By taking Bradley birth classes you and your husband will feel empowered during the experience as well. Essentially, when you give birth with a midwife at the birth center YOU run the show! You get the best of both worlds, a calm, nurturing environment, actual natural support without being confined to a bed and hooked up to an I.V., you can choose anyway to have your baby (squatting, in the bed, water, etc.), the father can catch the baby (can't do that at all at the hospital), you won't be affected by shift changes with the staff that is checking you and taking care of you during labor as the same people stay with you from beginning to end, you have very little chance of having a c-section or episiotomy, but you also have all the advantages of having a great hospital close by to transfer to should anything happen. An OB is always on call when a mom comes to deliver and Baylor Dallas is essentially in there backyard. Midwifes have strict rules to go by when it comes to a transfer and can get you there in less than five minutes (by the time you get there the room would be set up and ready for whatever emergency is coming in). This is rare to happen, but they do have everything set up should that be the case. Also, with you not working right now and finances are of concern, giving birth at the birth center, for everything, all your exams, blood tests, delivery, post baby and mama check all costs a total of around $4500. Just the delivery (normal, no complications) in a hospital can cost $10,000 on average! I strongly urge you to check them out as they are fantastic! From Plano, you can get there in about 25 mins. God Bless you and your growing family.
Hi SM,
I do not know of one but I know the office of Craig Ranch OB's has two midwives on staff. They are also more progressive and not pushy.
Another thing I would suggest is possibly doing it without one. I took the Bradley Method classes after reading the book "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." Had my first child not been a stargazer (face up and head back) I would have succeeded at a natural childbirth. I felt like I handled the labor and pushing gracefully, even though I did seek the c-section due to no progress and a sharp pain after the push (after two hours into it). She was tearing me up on the vaginal walls (sorry TMI I know) so thankfully I felt educated enough in the Bradley that I knew that was not normal and the fact there was no progression I opted for the c-section and am glad I did (although was crushed at the same time). The book is wonderful and is exactly how I experienced my labor....I had pics from that book in my mind and was always at peace, until the end. I HIGHLY recommend this training.
Hope this helps give you options. I think the Bradley class was 200 and well well well worth it. PM me if you need more info or specifics.
Congratulations!!!! I completely second taking the Bradley birthing classes, this is the way to go if you prefer no meds and also want to be educated about WHAT is happening during birth. We had a (really great) no meds deliver with our son after taking the bradley class and book recommended by Kelly K.
Our doula was quite expensive, but the average cost of all the women I called was around $300, and it is worth EVERY penny. She is more than a birth coach, she is your liason with the medical staff, your partner's support person, and the person who keeps your mind focused when your body is trying to send you into orbit.
Go to DONA.org, also call birthing centers in dallas and allen for the doulas they work with and can recommend.
I recommend that you discuss this with your ob/gyn or provider soon and be sure that your hospital allows doulas and your practitioner may have someone she likes to work with and can recommend.
