I just found out that the new hospital that we will be using has doula services. Anyone ever used one in conjunction with a dr.? I'm assuming she would just help me labor, suggest different positions and techniques, right?

Thats pretty much what I had, my doctor and a nurse, who acted as a doula. She helped me with positions, did massage, was very encouraging and even guided DH as to things he could do to help :) She stayed right in the room with me throughout the entire labor. Although my doctor was just as hands on as she was, it's like I had 3 support people. I think you will find her to be very helpful.

Did you have to 'sign up' for her or request her when you got to the hospital? How did that work...Had you met her before delivery?

I had a doula that I privately hired. I met her before the delivery and she was with us through the whole thing. She was there to offer extra support, get me into natural positions etc. I still had a midwife that did all the medical stuff, but my doula was my advocate. She told them what I wanted and didnt want, especially at the times that I wasn't in the right frame of mind. I would recommend getting one bcuz it's nice to have a woman there for support.

I had a privately hired doula for one of my preg. and she was awesome! We met with her twice before labor, and then she arrived at the hosp. and stayed with us throughout. They're basically very educated support people and advocates. They can massage, make suggestions, etc. One of my favorite parts about mine was that she wrote us a 'birth story' and presented us with it at our postpartum visit. It was nice to have someone record all of those precious little details. I ended up with a breech baby that did not turn and preterm labor. Our anesthesiologist allowed her into the c-sec. which turned out to be a blessing. It was the most difficult of my three c-secs. and when dh left to go with the baby she was able to stay with me through the rest of surgery and even in the recovery room.

I didn't meet mine before hand, just turns out she was absolutely wonderful. I would hire her for my next if I could :)