Doulas

jackyann

Errata wrote: »

Are doulas insured? What happens if something goes wrong and it's their fault?

There would be some kind of basic insurance with the NCT (and I expect, but don't know about other organisations)
However, a doula would never get seriously involved in medical decisions. She would be helping mum to be comfortable, encouraging relaxatuion, breathing etc. She woulod be a calm presence, helping mum to discuss the situastion with midwife / doctor, but would not express an opinion.
For instance, she might remind mum that it might be helpful to move around, or get into different positions during labour - that mum might forget! But she would not move a monitor.
She might ask if she can get mum a drink, but would not over-ride a midwife who said "no".
She might help mum put the baby to the breast when newly delivered, but would not interfere with what the midwife or doctor needed to do.
Does that help?

pigpen

Errata wrote: »

Are doulas insured? What happens if something goes wrong and it's their fault?

Why would they need insurance? What would go wrong?

They don't have get involved with anything medical they are a glorified birth partner who offers a bit of support both before and after the birth if it is wanted.

Counting_Pennies_2

jackyann wrote: »

There would be some kind of basic insurance with the NCT (and I expect, but don't know about other organisations)
However, a doula would never get seriously involved in medical decisions. She would be helping mum to be comfortable, encouraging relaxatuion, breathing etc. She woulod be a calm presence, helping mum to discuss the situastion with midwife / doctor, but would not express an opinion.
For instance, she might remind mum that it might be helpful to move around, or get into different positions during labour - that mum might forget! But she would not move a monitor.
She might ask if she can get mum a drink, but would not over-ride a midwife who said "no".
She might help mum put the baby to the breast when newly delivered, but would not interfere with what the midwife or doctor needed to do.
Does that help?

You have to ask to see their private liability insurance. I think my last liability insurance was either £1m or £3m can't remember now. It is a personal thing the Doula arranges themselves

meer53

I think if the OP feels she would benefit from a doula then she should have one. It will probably give her peace of mind and if she can afford it then why not ? She'll still have support from her midwife.

Having said that, i cannot fault the midwives who were there at my childrens births. The first (natural birth but baby back to back) the midwife stayed an extra 2 hours after her shift so that she could deliver my son. My second, my daughter, would not be here (5 weeks premature, born weighing 3lbs) if the midwife hadn't stayed with me when i was induced and noticed that my baby was struggling more and more with every contraction. After an emergency section my daughter was born within 15 minutes of the midwife noticing. I cannot thank them enough. I have a 13 year gap between my children so i can't see how anyone can say that times have changed !

Person_one

pigpen wrote: »

Why would they need insurance? What would go wrong?

They don't have get involved with anything medical they are a glorified birth partner who offers a bit of support both before and after the birth if it is wanted.

Earlier posts in this thread seem to suggest they are there to 'fight' the midwives and the other qualified people.

pigpen

Person_one wrote: »

Earlier posts in this thread seem to suggest they are there to 'fight' the midwives and the other qualified people.

ah, ok. I skipped a few in the middle where people were repeating themselves.

As my daughters birthing partner I was a bit pushy. I also refused a section on her behalf.. 'because theatre is empty now!' was NOT a good enough reason to slice my daughter and leave her with a disfiguring scar forever. Baby was fine, not in distress and she was doing well too I wasn't just being a nutter lol

Doulas are as any birthing partner an intermediary between the woman and the staff, or should be! Paid or not!!

dizziblonde

If I could afford it - I'd pay for one in a heartbeat.

Despite all the being laid back and not scared of labour and mentally prepared for it all, and all the fluffy rainbow sunbeam thoughts you could muster - I had the birth from hell last time, and was NOT well-treated by various staff over the course of it (only takes two bad apples to really overshadow everything - and make you very very scared when you're stuck under their control). I was left with quite a severe case of PTSD as the situation snowballed from me not fearing it at all - to absolute terror with how things all panned out.

My husband, for all I love him and his strengths, really does NOT do asking questions or being assertive and pointing out that a broom cupboard is NOT a suitable delivery room well... and proved to be as much use as a wet lettuce throughout (one day I MAY forgive him for the backrub that was actually helping which consisted of two rubs, then a complaint his arm was aching and him going to sit back in the corner)... Just knowing there was someone there who was going to be able to point out that "hang on - we've been waiting for pain relief for three hours now" and BE that supportive role would be a reassurance that I'd love this time round - but we can't afford it.

I'm wondering if I can work into my birthplan for a quick kick to the family jewels to be administered every time my husband complains the chair's uncomfy or his back aches instead?

But this idea that women somehow bring crap birth experiences on themselves from negativity - that's really really annoying, hurtful, wrong and unpleasant... I hadn't gone into things with any degree of fear at all - but as things escalated, from discovering premature membrane rupture, to slowly processing they were expecting a prem delivery, to the broom cupboard on the delivery suite, and the unpleasant staff member on a power trip, and the denial of pain relief.... yes, by then I WAS terrified - very few people wouldn't be. I did NOT deserve what we had to go through because I didn't think enough happy thoughts - neither did the other women I know of suffering birth trauma and horrific birth injuries - we all just got the bad end of circumstances.

meer53

pigpen wrote: »

was NOT a good enough reason to slice my daughter and leave her with a disfiguring scar forever. !

I don't have a disfiguring scar ? It's barely visible.

Counting_Pennies_2

dizziblonde wrote: »

If I could afford it - I'd pay for one in a heartbeat.

Doula UK have a hardship fund and it means that those who cannot afford a Doula can employ a Doula and the hardship fund will pay her a minimum wage for her time.

If you are serious I would suggest looking into it. It is on a limited basis, but it is available.

http://doula.org.uk/content/doula-access-fund

dizziblonde

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Doula UK have a hardship fund and it means that those who cannot afford a Doula can employ a Doula and the hardship fund will pay her a minimum wage for her time.

If you are serious I would suggest looking into it. It is on a limited basis, but it is available.

http://doula.org.uk/content/doula-access-fund

Sadly we're that line where we're just too well off to qualify for most stuff - but just scraping by each month... well it's at least better than a lot of people with the economy in the mess it's in!