For my first baby, I thought a doula might be a wonderful idea. And maybe it would have been, but I was completely misled. First of all, when I made my initial visit I couldn't believe what little control she had around her own children. Her toddler kept interrupting our meeting, and the others sounded like they were killing each other downstairs. The fact that she seemed so uncomfortable and unconcerned about her own babies should have made me think that she shouldn't be involved with mine.
But I went forward with it and had my baby; the entire time, though, the process seemed more about her than it was about me or my baby. I found out later by accident that she is a Christian Scientist - that's the cult where they don't believe in medicine! I felt so misled because anything could have happened in that room, and she wouldn't have known what to do!
I found out from a friend that she used to work as a doula for a hospital, but it sounds like she got fired. The hospital must know something that she doesn't advertise! She advertises herself as a "CBE" or "Child Birth Educator, " but that is a title that she made up! There's no such thing as a "CBE" - she doesn't have any formal training on this. Her only "training" is her kids who I've heard say some pretty nasty things to her and about her.
So if you are having a baby, let your husband or a family member do the doula stuff. Don't drop $800 on Stephanie Larson. Spend it on your baby. Or find a doula with proper credentials. You and your baby will have a much better experience. That's what I'm doing with my next.
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