When to start looking for a doula

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Doula.Com General Discussion : One Thread

Hi. I am nearly four months pregnant with my first child and my husband and I are considering the use of a doula for the birth. Some friends of mine have used doulas for their births and found the experience very satisfying and especially liked the support the doula provided to the expectant father (which is why I am considering one, as well). The OB/GYN practice that we use has CNM's preside over all low-risk births and so far, my pregnancy is proceeding well. My question is when should we begin looking for a doula? Thank you in advance for any advice. ~Jennifer

-- Jennifer Ziegler (jabz72@yahoo.com), April 28, 2004

Answers

Hi Jennifer,

Congratulations on your pregnancy. You can start looking for a doula right now, although you will probably do most of your work with her in your last trimester. In some communities good doulas are in demand and will be fully booked by your six month mark. For women due in the summer months or in December, it's even more important to look early - many doulas are also mothers trying to juggle family-unfriendly hours with kids' holiday time, and may take all or part of those months off.

Hope this helps.

-- Rean Cross (rean@lucina.ca), June 18, 2004.


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