6 posts tagged “doula”
A couple of days ago my client went into the hospital for a test at 41 weeks and they found low fluid. She was rehydrated but an induction was on the table at this point with the low fluids and favorable cervical conditions. Our first conversation ever had included her telling me that an induction was her nightmare, something she never wanted to have happen. I was so concerned for her during the day, worrying that she would not get the birth she had wanted. But, she fought for it and won. They let her leave the hospital and we talked from her home that night. I told her I hoped she would call in the middle of the night in labor after really enjoying her evening and then she did!
My last birth was an epic one with days of labor and slow progression but an amazingly strong mama who birthed a big healthy baby! Early this morning I attended a quick birth. I had thought that last night would be a perfect night for my client to give birth (avoiding a non-stress test and such). I layed out all my things assuming she would call and then at 1 am when she did, I was so happy to hear from her! Water had broken and she was starting to feel contractions. I went over within an hour and things were going quickly. Within 45 minutes we decided to head into the hospital since she was planning to birth about 25 minutes by car away (in good traffic, which thankfully we had!). By the end of the car ride her contractions were shifting towards pushing contractions and I was hearing the small grunting sounds that often accompany this shift.
Wow. This week has been so full. It was amazing to watch two babies come into the world after quick, intense labors. The first, on Easter, was a first time mom in a hospital and she was fantastic. The second, a mother of one already, had a homebirth in her apartment that also went quick - so quick I was not sure the midwife would make it in time! That was two days ago and it was also a terrific experience. She gave birth on her hands and knees in the shower to a big, beautiful baby boy. Tomorrow I have a prenatal and a postpartum - what a joyful job I have. The other day I rested on the couch of a client with their sleeping newborn cradled in my arms. Mom was showering while dad got breakfast at a local cafe that they like. I thought to myself that it takes a special kind of person to be so blessed as to get paid to rest with a newborn :)
This morning at 5:11 am I watched a beautiful little girl transform one couple into a family with her birth. Her mother labored so amazingly with terrific support from her husband and her mother and got the birth she wanted. I arrived home 10 minutes before my kids woke up, ready for their Easter Baskets and the day's activities. I am tired now, but still riding the wave of joy that surrounds a birth.
I love the feeling of being on call - of knowing that there is a woman out there who is preparing for labor in the coming days and some time soon she will call me to come share in her birth day. For many years I worked in Rape Crisis and Victim's Assistance and when I was on-call then, it was a whole different feel. While the work was important and I was always happy ot be able to help a woman when she needed it, no one gets excited about a woman being raped or a child being victimized or a domestic abuse. But birth is exciting and beautiful and an amazing gift to be a part of.
I am reading tonight about this distinction and the medical focus on informed consent in the absense of a focus on making informed choices prior to giving consent. This really resonates with me both in my experiences as a laboring woman and also in my experiences with other women. Helping someone to make an informed choice is a much greater level of educational commitment because it requires first making sure they are aware of an understanding the full range of choices before giving consent to the specific treatment or procedure being offered/considered. I am sitting with the distinction tonight as I contemplate doula work, educating women/parents, and my own reflective practice.
