Hello! New Here...

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Hello everyone. I'm Leanne and not a nurse, but a Birth Doula. I've been lurking on the boards for some time now, and have never introduced myself properly :)

I'm married, have two boys 3 and 1 and we're TTC our third sometime in 2003 hopefully it will happen for us. I'd love to go back to school to become a L&D nurse (esp since DH says I can't keep having babies forever :roll, but don't think that will happen until our children grow older, which is fine with me, I love being home with them while they are young.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas :)

Specializes in MS Home Health.

Hello Cheerio. Not being an OB nurse what exactly does a birth doula do?

Welcome.

renerian

A birth or labor doula, is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth. A birth doula accompanies expectant parents through labor and birth, helping them make a smooth transition from pregnancy to parenthood. We provides non-medical emotional and physical support to the birthing Mom and work as a team member with the OB or midwife and nurse.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am so glad you found us Leanne. I have worked with WONDERFUL doula's in my career and consider you part of a valuable team. Glad to meet you! Hope to hear more from you soon.

That's great to know Deb :) I love to talk with nurses that appreciate Doula's in L&D. I've met some doozies, lol.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

yep with some nurses, it is a POWER TRIP....that same thing can be said of DOULAs also...i have seen it. I try VERY hard to form a working and friendly/cohesive relationship with the doula working for my patient EARLY on....I respect her job...and ask her to respect mine. I usually have NO trouble finding doulas a very useful, helpful part of our team. We should be; we have the same goal: healthy mom and baby and a well-adjusted and bonded family.

Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

Welcome Cheerio!

Originally posted by Cheerio

A birth or labor doula, is a woman trained and experienced in childbirth. A birth doula accompanies expectant parents through labor and birth, helping them make a smooth transition from pregnancy to parenthood. We provides non-medical emotional and physical support to the birthing Mom and work as a team member with the OB or midwife and nurse.

Now when you say that they have to be experienced, does that mean that they have had to give birth themselves? I know it probably sounds like a dumb question, but this is something I have been thinking of doing since I am interested in L&D once I finish with nursing school.

Kris

Welcome, Cheerio! What a wonderful job it sounds like you have!! Hope to hear from you often! :)

Welcome! I don't do babies (they are slippery) but I love and respect those that do! give me the busted and broken!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

No, in order to be a birth doula or OB nurse, you DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH YOURSELF...and some of the BEST labor attendants I have seen have NOT (men are wonderful labor nurses often---- yet have NO physical birth experience to draw from).....what *is* critical the person be attentive, caring, quick to note changes in maternal/fetal conditions, an very willing to WORK HARD with long hours, to be an effective birth attendant, whether it be nurse or doula....or midwife/dr.:)

Welcome to the board... Don't be shy!

Sharon

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