I'm not sleeping either!

aww! :( I hope you got some sleep!!

Awwww hopefully you can get some sleep =)

oh

The joys of pregnancy!

Ok...so I have a weird question...have you ever thought of using a Doula?

Re: oh

What do I have to do for that? I just used what my insurance gave me...

Re: oh

Well, I think they don't take insurance anyway...I ask because I want to be a doula, it just think it's a great idea (basically, it's like having a "helper" for the few few weeks of delivery). I know that doula's in training will do it for free sometimes ;-)

Re: oh

what would you like to do for me? :)
I don't know what a doula does... is that like a birth partner or?? :P sorry im stupid. lol

Re: oh

No, no, you aren't stupid! I think they are kind of new in the States

There are two typs of doulas, birth doulas and post-partum doulas.

A birth doula helps you before and during labor, in a non-medical way. Say, for instance your partner is really tired and you want someone to hold your hand during the birth, the birth doula does that. Or, say you really don't like a nurse or a doctor but you are afraid to ask to change, a birth doula will take care of that for you. Or, say you had said you really didn't want to do X but the medical people are pressuring you, the birth doula makes sure your wishes are honored so long as it's not endangering you or the baby.

A post partum doula is someone who helps you after you go home. Say you are exhausted with the baby, but the house is a mess...a postpartum doula will help clean the house, do the laundry, whatever. Or say, you have relatives that are driving you crazy, but you can't tell them to go, a postpartum doula will be the buffer between you and them. Or say, you have an older child that you need to spend time with, but can't leave the baby, a postpartum doula will watch or feed or change the baby. A postpartum doula will also help you learn to diaper and clothe a baby, help you with dealing with vomiting explodapoops and all the other things that just kind of wear on you.

I should really state though that I'm not a doula at this point, just a mom ;-)

Doulas are Not medical people, but they are mommy helper people. This is the big org for them: http://www.dona.org/

p.s. When is your baby due again?

Re: oh

April 17 was my first EDD. But they changed it to May8th, so whenever I guess. :P
I am a mom too. I have a 4 1/2 yr old son.
Are doulas expensive?

Re: oh

You know, I can't seem to find the rates *anywhere* online grrr...

I found this http://bellywomen.net/listings/index.php which gives free doulas to low income women.

And I'm more than happy to do it for you, even though I don't have any training. No pressure though, we might hate each other IRL!

Re: oh

One more thing, doulas also help stressed dads too ;-)