I thought the concept was a good one, but the price a bit high when Sarah mentioned the idea of a doula for Robert's birth. But in hindsight, I think it was a great idea.

Doulas [according to DONA -- Doulas of North America] are trained and experienced in childbirth, although they may or may not have given birth themselves. The doula's role is to provide physical, emotional and informational support to women and their partners during labor and birth.

The DC area needs more doulas. We went to a "meet the doula" session at the Child Birth Center (the site seem broken at the moment) in Adams Morgan but there were more expectant parents than doulas and none of the doulas was available for our late July due date.

The business practice of being a doula has to be tough, you are expected to be there from early labor, through labor and for a bit of postpartum time. Also expected: a visit or two late in the pregnancy and another one or two at home afterward to make sure things are going well. Scheduling that around a due date that normally is plus or minus at least a week has to be tough.

After striking out with the "meet the doula" attendees, we tried recommendations from co-workers, and finally Sarah asked her doctor. That's how we were hooked up with From Partners to Parents. They have several doulas who cover for each other (we met 3 of them), are practicing labor and delivery nurses and all seem to have great bed side manners.

We met initially with Dawn, who explained that she would be out the week before Sarah's due date and Lisa would be covering for her. Lisa then came by to get acquainted and see how we were doing a week or so before July 22^nd. Then, when Sarah felt less movement by Robert on the Monday before her due date, Lisa came by, listened to Robert's heartbeat and finally convinced Sarah's doctor's group that it being late in the afternoon, we should meet them at the hospital, just to be sure.

Lisa followed us in and helped arrange for a Sonogram and fetal monitor. That showed slightly reduced fluids, but no real cause for alarm. But that help and reassurance earned them their fee.

Lisa was delivering another baby the Wednesday we went in to the hospital (and Dawn was still on "vacation" -- trading nursing for reduced fees at summer camp for her daughter). So, we were met at the hospital by Wendy who helped get us settled, answered questions and let us know that Dawn would be joining us in the morning.

It turns out that Lisa was on duty the next morning, so we ended up with both her and Dawn for Robert's arrival. Having met them both before, and talked to them in our home, they seemed much more familiar and "on our side" than any of the excellent GW staff or Sarah's doctor (who actually missed Robert's arrival when he didn't believe Dawn saying two more pushes and Robert would be with us). And Dawn has been by the house a couple of times to make sure we're all getting along well and doing what needs to be done.

So I think the familiarity of the doulas was reassuring; they talked with us about what we expected, what we'd like to see happen with Robert's birth and were there while the staff changed shifts a couple of time. I think it was the way to go for us, especially with our first child and no family in the neighborhood.

I hope the insurance companies see the benefits to doulas and that they will start to cover the cost so that a doula can become a more standard part of childbirth.