Birth Doula Recommendations?

[ae]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a (reasonably) local birth doula?

I'm pregnant for the first time - due end of September - and a bit concerned that the midwives I'm seeing just now won't be the midwives who'll be with me when I go into labour. I'd like to have someone independent with me who I've been able to build up a bit of a relationship with beforehand, and just can't stretch to paying for an independent midwife.

I've looked on the Doula UK website, but would like to find someone who comes with a good recommendation and the EDF has never let me down in this area.

Many thanks,

ae

[jennyh]

Hi

If you look at the post on here about independent midwives you'll see I recommended Sofie Jacobs. So a search as it's easier than me repeating if all! That said...I had my first 8 weeks ago and I had exactly the same worries as you and researched doulas and couldn't afford it. My midwife at the doctors was terrible and I had this fear that come delivery I would be in the hands of whoever was on shift, would my labour run on and on so would they change etc. I went into kings on a very busy night with all delivery rooms full and I can genuinely say that all my worries went away. During labour I really didn't care who it was and suddenly had massive trust in them to take care of us, I guess I had other things going on!! :-) I was fortunate to have just one midwife but there were rocky moments and I had to take charge more than I anticipated but they were very good. Just my experiences as I had the same thoughts as you but I know dome people have had bad experiences too, hence the ibrekiable luck of the draw!!

Good luck!

Jenny

[jennyh]

I tried to type unreliable!

[sillywoman]

Jesusa Ricoy-Olariaga is, I think, on Doula UK. She's an extremely experienced Doula who lives in West Dulwich. She's warm, reliable, friendly and funny. I can highly recommend her.

Would also recommend Ellen Patterson as I have done previously on this forum, but I know that she won't be around in September as she'll back at college studying Midwifery. She'd be an ideal choice though for anyone due before the end of July.