Los Angeles Doulas
You don’t need a doula. If you have someone (your partner, your mother, a home-birth midwife) around whom you feel supported, loved, cared for, and you feel empowered to be your absolutely best self with; someone who knows how to explain all the choices that are put before you that you need to make while you are trying to breathe into the pain of contractions; someone trained in movement, breathing, and massage techniques to keep you feeling calm and spacious inside – for sure I’d say skip it.
If not, you might want to invite three doulas to come talk to you and your partner and see if you like the feel of having her around.
If you want to find out more about what a doula is and why you might want one around, just go to our Pregnancy Guide: Why a Doula?
If you’re looking for a free or inexpensive Los Angeles doula, you can call these trainers and ask them to set you up with someone who is not certified yet.
If the energy is right between you, your partner, and your doula, than even an inexperienced doula can be a huge help. Not just to you, but your partner will be able to run down for a sandwich or go call a family member without deserting you. A win-win-win for all!
Ana Markel – Doula Trainer (she will help you find the right doula for you)
Ellie Shea – Doula Trainer
Labor Doulas
My birth doula extraordinaire Yvonne Novak
Glyol Pannbechi – We used THE BEST labor doula. Her name is Glyol Panbechi (her last name may be spelled wrong). I ended up needing a last-minute c-section, but until then, Glyol was a life-saver. I had two days of contractions at home (kept getting sent home from the hospital) and without Glyol, I don’t know what we would have done.
Jorge had thought that a doula was not necessary, but when the time came, he was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO glad she was with us! Apparently, I was in a lot of pain, but I don’t remember any of it. When we returned home from the hospital, there were all these wet towels on the floor, and I asked Jorge what they were doing there. He said, don’t you remember Glyol had you get in the shower? I didn’t really remember it. It’s so weird how the mind works — I just don’t remember the painful parts.)
Elena Vogel – both Labor and Postpartum
Postpartum Doulas
Julie Skehan – I had a post-partum doula that I LOVED. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her. She is so fantastic with the baby and with me (providing breastfeeding advice, etc.). She’s just amazing. She also specializing in multiples, although definitely works with people who just have one baby. She is also a labor doula, and although I didn’t use her for that, I’m sure she’s equally great at that too.
