Hi, my name is Q. and i'm a 19 year old FTM. I really want a natural, non-medicated childbirth. I've researched and i saw that doulas are very helpful with keeping you AWAY from meds. I also read that they're pretty pricey and i can't afford one right now. I'm 33 weeks pregnant now and due august 1st. Any help???
There are doulas in training, who do not charge the high fees. I hired one, Tricia Matthews recently. They need training, but typically will charge around $300 and less. If you want her info, let me know. She was super sweet and helpful.
Hi Q.. You would be surprised how many doulas in Chicago are willing to provide their services on a volunteer basis (I am one of them). I am a doula and in addition to having private clients I am part of the "Chicago Volunteer Doulas" group. We mainly provide support at 3 different hospitals but sometimes we also take clients outside those hospitals. I'm sure we'd be happy to provide support to you during this wonderful time. You can send me a private message with your info or contact me directly at ____@____.com. Congratulations and I wish you the best!!
Contact Birthways and ask if they have any doulas in training. Many times they will work pro bono, so it would be a good idea to ask them. You can also contact DONA and do the same.
Good luck,
T.
www.ReadandGrow.com
Have you tried craigslist? I saw a student doula offering services on that site. Good luck!
Hello,
There is a Doula program o the south side of Chicago. You can call ###-###-####, the organization's name is OUNCE OF PREVENTION FUND HAYES CENTER, 48TH AND WABASH. You should check it out, they will be able to help you.
Hi Q.,
Congratulations on the birth of your first child. I am happy for you that you want to go natural. I birthed at home with a midwife and doula and it was a wonderful experience that I would not trade for the world. Even in a hospital, I think doulas are a godsend.
I do not know of the Chicagoland doula market, but I know that in my city there are free doulas avaiable to serve young mothers through Catholic Charities. I don't think that CC does this all over the country, but I would talk to midwives in your area to see if there is anything comperable or a sliding scale fee for moms who can't afford it.
Birth is safer and more comfy with a doula and I hope with all my heart that you find one to work with. Happy birthing!
Many of the doulas in my area offer a hardship clause--since most (almost all, I'd guess) doulas are doing it for the right reason (because they love helping women through labor and sharing in the joy of birth), they will negotiate or sometimes even waive the fee.
So, I would say to google "doula" and "Chicago" (or your specific area of Chicago) and see if you can find a couple that you like. Then, when you interview, be honest about your finances, and ask them about their policies.
You can also check out the DONA website for a listing of their DONA certified doulas. http://www.dona.org/
You can also sometimes find doulas through midwives, so if you are with a practice that has CNMs (certified nurse midwives), you can ask them if they know of any.
Good luck, and a safe & joyful birth!
My only thought is to contact doula programs in your area and see if they could hook you up with O. who is still in training? She'd get experience and you'd get a free or low cost doula!
Hi Q.,
Congratulations on your pregnancy and your choice to have a natural childbirth! A family friend of mine heads an organization called Health Connect One (located around 1400 W. Randolph in Chicago) that trains doulas for community work in communities who need them, as well as doulas for private births. I know that doulas in training need to have a certain number of births they've attended/hours to complete their training, and therefore might volunteer as a doula. www.healthconnectone.org
Good luck!
R.
If you can't find a doula, a midwife could be really helpful. You can always switch providers at any point (from an OB to a midwife)... many midwives do take insurance or state aid. They'll be more supportive in general of a non-medicated birth than an OB usually is.
I can't answer your question but i see from the posts below that it is possible to work with a volunteer doula. I just wanted to say good for you! I had an unmedicated labour with my daughter and i owe so much to the doula we hired. She helped make it the most magical experience of my life. I really wish you a wonderful experience - you are certainly going the right way about it!
