Doulas!! -How much...

How much do doulas charge? Did you like having one? Do you think they helped?

Planning ahead because we will be TTC here soon  

Mine was $750 others I interviewed in our area were 700-1400. I had a bad experience with mine but I think if I had a better match/ someone a bit more professional it would of been amazing.

Quoting Kristen Parris:" How much do doulas charge? Did you like having one? Do you think they helped? Planning ahead because we will be TTC here soon  "

I have one and she is great! I havent given birth yet so i cant tell you about that. But shes still awesome. You just have to find a doula that you are comfortable with.

I am a doula, and the prices vary from place to place. It also depends on the services provided, and time invested. I had a doula with my 2nd birth and it was AMAZING! No way I could have done it natural without her. It is VERY important to make sure that personalities mesh well  

you don't need nor want a doula. I have a great horror story about hiring a POS doula that will surely steer smart people away from ever thinking of hiring one.

Quoting Devil Duckie:" you don't need nor want a doula. I have a great horror story about hiring a POS doula that will surely steer smart people away from ever thinking of hiring one. "

Just because you had a bad experience doesnt mean everyone will. Some women find them very helpful and a very integral part of their experience.

Quoting Jennybananna:" Just because you had a bad experience doesnt mean everyone will. Some women find them very helpful and a very integral part of their experience. "

I don't think any woman should pay a complete stranger to show up and hold their hand. After being forced to go through my labor w/ out, I learned it is not all horrible or hard as they make it and there was nothing this woman or ANY woman could have done to make it better, more magical or right. What a giant scam.

Quoting Devil Duckie:" I don't think any woman should pay a complete stranger to show up and hold their hand. After being forced ... [snip!] ... it and there was nothing this woman or ANY woman could have done to make it better, more magical or right. What a giant scam. "

While I understand that a bad experience has pretty ruined it for you and you have right to feel that way I dont think its fair to make the general assumption about all doulas. I know plenty of women would disagree with your statement.

Quoting Kristen Parris:" How much do doulas charge? Did you like having one? Do you think they helped? Planning ahead because we will be TTC here soon  "

  too expensive!
I had one...for free   Look for the doulas who just got certified, etc. They are usually willing to be there free of charge, or cheap. Definitely they are not worth more than $20  

Quoting Aliana:"   too expensive! I had one...for free   Look for the doulas who just got certified, etc. ... [snip!] ... etc. They are usually willing to be there free of charge, or cheap. Definitely they are not worth more than $20  "

wow...I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience, but that's not true in all cases. My time and work is worth more than $20...

Thank you guys! After thinking about it, I'm going to use my best friend as a doula even though she isn't one lol She was great during my labor with my son and I think it would be perfect since I'm already comfortable with her..

I haven't birthed with mine yet but she has talked me off the ledge during all of my freakouts for my upcoming VBAC.

That in itself was worth it.