Hiring U.K. Midwife as doula in U.S. Hospital...

[MonstHer]

Sooo, if you've read any of my posts, I am going to give birth in japan, in a U.S. Military hospital.
There is a kind lady here, who's is a U.K. Midwife by trade.
Would it be a good idea to hire her as my doula?
I really want her, but I don't want her getting any flack from the American midwives and doctors...
Well really what I'm asking, are American and U.K practices all that different from each other so much that I will be further stressed out during the actual time?
I plan on giving her and my husband medical power of attorney...
Forgot to mention she is all for natural childbirth and is a actually a home birth midwife, that is why i want her there with me.

 

[lynnikins]

if she would be happy just being there as a doula then id go for it as a Doula her job is to help you through the process keeping you calm in the face of whatever happens and her experience will be invaluable

 

[almeria]

as doula, she will be respecting your wishes and supporting you in the birth you want, so i think it would be a great idea..

 

[LouLou78]

She will only be there in a Doula capacity supporting you so it should be fine. Afterall you are entitled to have a doula so the medical staff etc looking after you won't know she is a midwife unless she tells them in conversation, even then they should be professional enough to respect your wishes to have a doula regardless if she is a midwife or not. On a brighter note, she is a great person to have with you if you happen to deliver too quick and when they are not in the room hahaha.

 

[Samantha675]

My doula is also a midwife. She rarely does doula work, but I love that she beings extra knowledge with her.

 

[DarlingMe]

I have heard that no matter who you hire as a doula some hospital staff look at this negatively. I can see how they might feel like this person is stepping on their toes or whatever. Maybe you can represent her as more of a friend on delivery day? They dont have to know why she is there or that you are paying her to be there! This might avoid any hard feelings. And if you feel like she will be able to help support you all then I would definately do it! I would leave your power of attorney in your husbands hands though, she can always advise him, but IMO he should have final say so.

 

[tristansmum]

I have heard that no matter who you hire as a doula some hospital staff look at this negatively. I can see how they might feel like this person is stepping on their toes or whatever. Maybe you can represent her as more of a friend on delivery day? They dont have to know why she is there or that you are paying her to be there! This might avoid any hard feelings. And if you feel like she will be able to help support you all then I would definately do it! I would leave your power of attorney in your husbands hands though, she can always advise him, but IMO he should have final say so.

yes i think thats a good idea too. just tell them she is one of your birthing partners. a good friend.

 

[Rachel_C]

If the staff in the hospital are unprofessional enough and so closed minded that they would object to her being a qualified midwife as well as your doula, I'd say that's all the more reason to have her there! I'd say people like that are unlikely to be supportive of the kind of birth you want unless it is exactly what they normally do, so she will be a huge help.

 

[MonstHer]

Bleh, well she went back to the U.K on a family emergency and now I don't know when she's coming back. So it looks like I'm going to hire a different doula.
I don't care what the hospital says now, they can screw off!
I have patient rights dammit.
I'm going in there like a tiger and like 5 copies of my patient rights. haha.