Doulas - what's your experience? Any recommendations?

Anyone can advise on the price range for doulas?

Hi KateK :) I used a doula with my second child and absolutely loved it, one of the best decisions made....worth much more than the money we spent. I had my first baby all natural without drugs, no doula...and to be honest, it was a very scary experience...I was not prepared for the intensity of the birth AT ALL! My poor hubby couldn't give me the support I needed either, even though he tried very hard. So when I got pregnant the second time, I knew I wanted someone who knew how to support laboring women. We used Zanny from Dubai Doulas, I don't think she is working as doula at the moment though. Anyhow she was amazing, we met several times before the birth...it was both to get to know each other more and also educational. She explained the basic physiology of labor and birth, had lots and lots of informational books and dvds, and taught us techniques that we could use during labor to make me more comfortable. All that made my fears about birthing almost disappear...I was actually excited about birthing at that point. My labor was very long...we spend most of the time at home. My doula was there for me from the very beginning to the very end. Giving me massages and hugs and encouraging words...being tough with me when I needed it, helping me with her knowledge about how to keep the labor going.. when to try out some other position or techniques when labor got hard...helping us to keep the hospital staff away. Helping my husband to help me. In the end I delivered on my hand and knees and my husband was the one who caught the baby...it was the most empowering experience I had! :) The one thing that I also loved is that she never got in between my husband and me...it was like she was there and not there at the same time! Why don't you interview a couple of doulas, there a several amazing ladies in town, see what they have to say...I would say if you can, do yourself the favor and get a doula...no matter how you invision your upcoming birth, a doula will help you! Good luck! :)