Doulas at City Hospital?

littlelou71289

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Latest post on 04 September 2013 - 09:28

I know there have been similar threads on this topic in the past couple of years, but I'm wondering if anyone knows the current doula policy at City Hospital. When I went on the maternity tour at City, the midwife said they were strict about only allowing one birthing partner in Labour & Delivery. I also called to double-check and they confirmed the one birthing partner policy on the phone.

I can see if that policy is in place so there isn't a circus of visitors on the ward, but does anyone know if they allow a doula in the room with the birthing partner (in my case, my husband)? I know the standard private rooms are quite cramped, but this is something we'd like to make sure of before we plunk down money on a doula. Thanks!

TMac33382

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Latest post on 12 September 2013 - 20:53

YAY!!! Good for you...hope you have an amazing birthing experience! I think every woman deserves a doula during birth...I will have one again during my upcoming birth! :)

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littlelou71289

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Latest post on 12 September 2013 - 10:22

Yeah, we ended up deciding we'd rather go to another hospital where such policies are not in place, period. I'd rather be somewhere that embraces a more holistic approach to birthing and not a one size fits all factory approach anyway (not trying to discredit other people's choices to birth at City, it's just not our style). The doula we were talking to also informed us that she wasn't working at City even as a "friend" because it's not worth it to her to go somewhere that's not supportive of doulas. I've heard rumors that something happened in a delivery room with a doula at City that pushed them to enact the policy, but I can't help but wonder if the hospital wasn't at fault in that particular scenario as well. Either way, it's Al Zahra for us.

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TMac33382

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Latest post on 11 September 2013 - 20:02

Hi littlelou, I specifically asked about having a doula along side with my husband during delivery...took a tour there last week and the nurse/midwife said absolutely no doulas allowed there anymore "as they make things complicated!" GRRRHH!!! Later on she said that some ladies are able to bring their "friend or mother" along as long as the doctor agrees. So to me that means translated, if you want to take a doula along : don't EVER EVER mention the word DOULA, just say my very good friend, my cousin etc...also get it in writing from your doctor, by including it in your birth wishes/birth plan and let the doctor sign it before you go in labor. You could try lying to your doctor/nurses and saying something along the lines that your husband sometimes can't deal with high stress situations or gets sick when seeing blood...whatever it takes to get around that one person policy. Ultimately I think you would take a risk of not being able to take your doula along if you go to City hospital. By the way, that policy is somewhat new...I delivered there two years ago and had no troubles with having a doula and my husband there. Do you have the option to go to an other hospital? Good luck...I will not go on about how that whole "no doula policy" goes under my skin!!! ;)

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