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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
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Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
Just got off the phone with Helen Dresner. She seemed really nice and has lots of experience. Still on the fence about a doula so I am looking forward to meeting with her and finding out more about her and the labor support she offers. Anyone have experience with her or know someone who has? I searched and not one person posted about her.
Updated 1/5 - Met with Helen tonight and loved her! I definitely want to have a doula now. She helps in so many ways. She does massage, reflexology, accupressure, aromatherapy, helping with breathing, positions, etc. She comes to your house to help you during labor before you even go to the hospital. After you deliver she helps with BF'ing, making sure you are all cleaned up and comfy, etc. Then she will visit you one more time after you are home from the hospital to answer any questions or help with anything. She has been doing this for 17 years and is a certified childbirth educator so I know I would be in good hands.
DH really liked her too because she told him she is there to help him help me. I am meeting with two more then deciding. It is weird to say this but she made me really look forward to the whole labor process and bringing my little one into the world.  She also only had great things to say about Stony Brook and the practice I am with. Have an appt next week with my Doc so I want to make sure they are good with me having a doula as well.
Message edited 1/5/2011 10:05:36 PM.
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Posted 12/28/10 9:45 PM  |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Awww Helen is AWESOME! You will love her. I initially booked her when I was about 15 weeks pregnant with DS.
When I was around 36 weeks and on bedrest basically waiting for an induction she gave me a heads up that she had a very ill family member. And instead of me winding up with a stranger, she thought it would be best if her colleague took me over.
Vicky Moody took me over and I loved her even more, if that's even possible 
FM if you want any more info  But regardless, I'm confident you'd be happy with either Helen or Vicky.
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:25 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Good luck Kim! Please let me know how it works out!
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:26 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Please excuse my ignorance but what is a doula?
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:26 PM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Posted by FirstMate
Please excuse my ignorance but what is a doula?
Doula is a word that has most closely become associated with a woman who provides non-medical support during labour and birth, and also the postpartum period.
Basically she is there to support the mother in any way needed. Mine had aroma therapy going in the L&D room, soft music on an Ipod docking station. She would do different types of massage (feet, back, legs, etc), help me breathe through contractions.
She was amazing and I don't think I could have labored naturally (without ANY pain meds) for 30+ hours if it weren't for her!!
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:29 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Taken from Doula Network of LI:
What is a Birth Doula?
A birth doula is a person who assists the family before, during and immediately after the birth of their baby.
During the pregnancy, the doula learns about the mother's concerns and priorities for the birth. She stays in close phone contact as the due date approaches providing reassurance and ensuring her availability for labor. She also helps mom to understand any tests and helps to research subjects pertinent to that mother’s pregnancy
While the mother is in labor, the doula supports the mother continuously. There are no shift changes. The doula offers comforting touch and massage, emotional support, and reassurance in the birth process. She provides hot and cold compresses at just the right time, uses aromatherapy, and assists the mother in effective positions for labor and birth. She also provides simple explanations of obstetrical terms and procedures. Her continuous care is provided throughout labor until after the baby is born.
Following the birth of the baby, the doula offers breastfeeding assistance, information and support. She can take photos and help the family with immediate needs. The doula visits again soon after the birth to review the experience with the family, answer questions and provide extensive referrals to postpartum services or provides postpartum care herself.
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:30 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Posted by sunflowerjesss
Awww Helen is AWESOME! You will love her. I initially booked her when I was about 15 weeks pregnant with DS.
When I was around 36 weeks and on bedrest basically waiting for an induction she gave me a heads up that she had a very ill family member. And instead of me winding up with a stranger, she thought it would be best if her colleague took me over.
Vicky Moody took me over and I loved her even more, if that's even possible
FM if you want any more info But regardless, I'm confident you'd be happy with either Helen or Vicky.
Oh wow very cool! I already have Vicky's info saved from when I FM'ed you and definitely plan to meet with her as well. Thank you!
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:32 PM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Posted by KimPetro
Oh wow very cool! I already have Vicky's info saved from when I FM'ed you and definitely plan to meet with her as well. Thank you!
Duh! Total brain fart, I forgot we had this convo in FM
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:35 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Posted by sunflowerjesss
Posted by FirstMate
She was amazing and I don't think I could have labored naturally (without ANY pain meds) for 30+ hours if it weren't for her!!
My God you must be iron woman! Did the doula stayed with you the entire time? This sounds like a good replacement for DH who will probably annoy the crap out of me. LOL How do they charge you? Is it like a fee for service or an hourly thing?
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:48 PM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Posted by FirstMate
My God you must be iron woman! Did the doula stayed with you the entire time? This sounds like a good replacement for DH who will probably annoy the crap out of me. LOL How do they charge you? Is it like a fee for service or an hourly thing?
LOL No iron woman here, just an awesome support system in place!
DH was a little taken back by the whole idea initially but I told him he didn't have a choice. He was afraid he'd be left out, but he quickly learned there is no leaving anyone out during labor!
I got to the hospital at noon. I called her when I was on my way. I think she got there by 12:30. She was awesome!
The Doula I used works off a sliding scale. Basically she tells you a range and you pay her what you feel she deserves after delivery. That is for a L&D Doula.
Not sure how she works out her post partum pricing. Never asked.
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| Posted 12/28/10 10:58 PM |
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springsandra
Baby girl has a baby brother!
Member since 11/09 7155 total posts
Name:
Sandra
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
Good luck with your meeting!
We had a friend who gave birth in September and who had a Doula (here in NC) and was extremely pleased. She had a complicated birth because she initially refused all meds but the baby wouldn't drop and when her water broke there was meconium in it and she started running a fever. So basically, her entire birth plan had to be thrown out the window which really upset her. But having her doula there made her feel somewhat in control, still, which is what she needed.
DH and I decided against that route because we feel we are somewhat more flexible, although I am hoping for an attentive nurse who will help. We'll see what happens.
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| Posted 12/28/10 11:02 PM |
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vintagegirl
LIF Infant
Member since 12/07 167 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
woah I met with Helen and Vicky .. I am so on the fence I love them both .. Let me know what you think of Helen...
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| Posted 12/31/10 10:12 AM |
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vintagegirl
LIF Infant
Member since 12/07 167 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Meeting a doula next week...
I also dono't want the deciding factor to be over money between the two of them.. I can't cheap out ..
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| Posted 12/31/10 10:37 AM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Updated!
Bump for update...
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| Posted 1/5/11 9:52 PM |
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Harlow-J
Mason's mommy!
Member since 12/09 3623 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
Great update!!!!!!!!! I've heard having a doula is AMAZING!
Plus it's so great she comes AFTER you have the baby too. What a bonus!
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| Posted 1/5/11 9:59 PM |
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2PreciousBlessings
The Perfect Pair
Member since 5/06 19861 total posts
Name:
Best Wife & Mommy
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
Sounds good!
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| Posted 1/6/11 7:37 AM |
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sunflowerjesss
Mommy to 3!
Member since 10/05 20369 total posts
Name:
Jesss, duh.
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
So happy you liked her, I knew you would!!
Good luck meeting with the other 2!! 
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| Posted 1/6/11 8:33 AM |
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julesrbf
Baby Girl
Member since 6/09 3882 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
Kim, that's great! I am so happy you had a good experience and that you felt comfortable with her - that's so important!
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| Posted 1/6/11 8:43 AM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
That's really fantastic -- I'm happy your appointment went well.
I may have to talk to DH about this and see if we might consider it!
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| Posted 1/6/11 9:14 AM |
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vintagegirl
LIF Infant
Member since 12/07 167 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
I ended up hiring Vicky moody, she is awesome
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| Posted 1/7/11 11:38 PM |
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KPsquared
Member since 5/05 4663 total posts
Name:
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Re: Meeting a doula next week... *Update!
I met Vicky on Thursday and she was awesome too! I am meeting one more then deciding. Definitely leaning more towards Vicky. We definitely had a great connection.
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| Posted 1/8/11 11:02 AM |
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