Post Part. Doula

[Anne 2]

Hello,
I am 33 weeks preg. with twins and my DH and I are considering using a post part. doula to help out after the babies come home.. I am a first time mom and having a c-section. I will be having family helping out for about 2 weeks after I come from the hopsital.. Does anyone have any experience with them and did you find it worth the money?

Thanks,
Anne

[jan21]

Anne -

Congratulations!

I had a post partum doula for 4-5 hours/day for 2 weeks after my twins were born. (starting about 1 week after we came home - my Mom was there before then. She felt badly that she couldn't stay longer - had to go back to work - so she paid for it).

It was DEFINITELY worth it. Honestly, don't know how I could have managed without her. I had a really rough delivery and didn't feel well, and the babies kept me up all night because they were having trouble nursing (I did formula too but I was trying to keep that to a minimum). She would come about 10:00 am, I would promptly take a nap or a shower depending on how tired I was. She did light housework, laundry, bathed the babies, helped diaper when while I nursed the other, made me lunch. She even baked cookies 1 day while I took a nap! (she said - hope you don't mind - I saw you all the ingredients). She would have also gone on errands or with me to the doc if that were necessary, and could have started dinner (we had plenty of dinners frozen though).

It was also really nice having the company - I think I would have sunk into a bad post partum depression otherwise.

Definitely recommend it if you can afford it, or if someone wants to give you a NICE gift.

Janice
Laura & Elizabeth 11/29/00

[JanetOH]

I had one too, but I used her mainly at night only because my mom was with us for the first 9 weeks, but I had the post partum doula come 3 nights a week for about 8 weeks...I credit her with getting the boys into a great night routine and she taught me a lot (the little tricks). She would fold laundry for me, wash the bottles and make new bottles for me, pretty much anything quiet when she did nights. I switched her to days after the boys were about 2.5 months old and only waking up 1x per night...she would come and help with the babies while I got to sleep, shower, run errands.

If you can pay for it...I would highly recommend getting one.

Janet

[Anne 2]

Thanks so much for the advice.. We met with one yesterday and my DH is not sure that we really need help. I think he thinks that I am going to be superwoman..

Anne

[Kylie]

Thanks so much for the advice.. We met with one yesterday and my DH is not sure that we really need help. I think he thinks that I am going to be superwoman..

Anne

Well, if he is the kind of guy that will help you out and support you (especially breastfeeding efforts if you so choose) then you really don't need to hire someone. Newborns mostly sleep, which is a blessing! As long as you have a speedy recovery, which you should be feeling pretty good two weeks out from delivery, you can definately handle the babies on your own. Just make him promise to bring home take out dinner every night and not expect much of you the first few months! Take out was a life saver for me after my twins were born (I also had a 4 yr old and 21 month old).

[jan21]

Thanks so much for the advice.. We met with one yesterday and my DH is not sure that we really need help. I think he thinks that I am going to be superwoman..

Anne

Hmmmm - has he ever taken care of one newborn let alone two? Yes you can do it alone, but will you have ANY help (family etc) the first few weeks? If not, I would seriously continue to consider it if you can afford it.

Janice
Laura & Elizabeth 11/29/00

[Sunshine81]

Thanks so much for the advice.. We met with one yesterday and my DH is not sure that we really need help. I think he thinks that I am going to be superwoman..

Anne

at your dh!! You will need the help! Especially in those first couple of months!! Trust me!!!

Congratulations!!!

Didn't have a doula, but my Mom came to help me the first little bit, and either her or my sisters would come and help me with the night feedings. I pumped and somebody gave the other baby a bottle while I fed a baby. Instead of being up an hour and a half/two hours, it was only one. In the beginning we had to feed them every 3 hours at night. (just first couple of weeks so they would gain weight)