Doula dilemma

Mr. Rhody and I started talking about having a doula pretty early on. After all of the issues that we had trying to get doctors to listen to us after the second miscarriage and clotting diagnosis, the problems we had with the last practice, and my general desire for a natural birth, a doula seemed like a good idea. Mr. Rhody loved the idea because he felt like it let him off of the hook a little; he had someone else to help me through the labor process!

I had asked my midwife for suggestions of doulas she knew and had worked with in the past. She gave me 3 names, 2 of which I found quickly on the DONA website. What was interesting is the two women we interviewed work very closely together, in fact they are back up for each other! There are a lot of similarities between them, but there were also some smaller differences. But first, the similarities:

• Both were approved by our dogs, who are an amazing judge of character ;)
• Both teach childbirth classes at the hospital where I will be delivering, so they are comfortable with the protocols and staff there
• Both couldn't say enough good things about my midwife and the practice where I am now (In fact, both are patients there!); similarly, both had the same reaction to my previous practice, along the lines of, "Oh. They are not very patient-friendly."

Now the differences

• Doula #1 had originally been trained as a CNA and became a doula through that route; Doula #2 is a Reiki practicioner and an herbalist, who became a doula through her former apocathery
• Doula #2 seemed to take a little longer to warm up, but, when she did, there were no issues and we liked her a lot
• Doula #1's fees include 2 more in-person visits--she suggested coming to my appointments with me--birth (obviously), one postpartum visit, and unlimited phone and email support; Doula #2 didn't have a set schedule, but seemed she was always open to whatever we needed
• We talked with both doulas about laboring at home for as long as possible; Doula #1 seemed more talkative about her ideas on how to spend time and when to get to the hospital; Doula #2 was open to the same ideas, but did not have any particular action plan in mind
• We would be Doula #1's first patients since her maternity leave; her son is currently 4 months old
• Doula #1 is almost 20% cheaper than Doula #2

So little reasons, but, because of these, we think we're going with Doula #1. I haven't called her yet because I'm having a bit of fear of commitment, but we will soon! It honestly was a very difficult decision, and I think we'd be happy with either one because they have different strengths. When it came down to it, I said to myself, "Who would I feel more comfortable with, naked and vulnerable, on a purely emotional level?" And that cemented the decision for me. Sometimes, you've just got to go with your gut.