my fourth birth.

Welcomed doula baby boy Liam -9lb 4oz on 5/28/10!

This mom was a warrior for sure.

After becoming exhausted with contractions that weren't letting her progress-- she opted to get an epidural to rest for a bit. Within the half hour waiting for the anesthetist- she progressed from a 7-9.5cm. She still got the epidural and was able to rest for over an hr. She pushed for about 3hrs. Good thing she rested. She- and her husband- were awesome to work with. I'm so lucky.

Mom wrote this to me:
"Hiring a doula (especially you guys- Doulas of CNY) was the best idea for our birth. You gave us so much support and made such a great atmosphere for my husband and I. You made me feel unashamed of the things that seem like they could be embarrassing and comforted me through this most difficult but wonderful experience. You personally Holly were so prepared, had things we didn't even think of, were so comforting and understanding, had such a pleasant and positive presence. You were great, and I so appreciate your help. You also helped me to feel proud of my birth and birth choices even though it didn't go how we were originally hoping. I'm really glad we got to meet you and have you there for our birth!!"

I love my job.

my third birth

Welcomed doula baby girl Sophia on 5.26.10

Mom was a trooper for sure. Day 4 of induction and no baby. This was after being in the hospital 8weeks since her membranes ruptured.

This was my first c-section experience since my own.
This was a true emergency.

Baby's heart rate plummeted to 60bpm and was not coming up. Mom was freeking out while Drs were trying to get heartrate monitors on the baby's head and getting her prepped to go. I leaned in close- stroked her head and said it was going to be ok, hang in there, you're doing great, take deep breaths, they are taking good care of you, and you'll see your baby soon.

There must have been 10 Drs/ Nurses in there. Mom was rushed out on hands and knees to the OR.

I was mom's only support. Once she was wheeled off- I was standing in the room.
Alone.
It felt like a movie.

Baby stayed in NICU a couple days and was released only a couple days after mom. She's doing great!

my second birth

Welcomed DOULA baby girl- Felicity- weighing 8lbs 3oz on 5/10/10 at 4:43pm.

Wow! This birth was way different from the first I attended. It was much slower. Babies truly do some when they are ready, and not a moment before.

I was able to apply counter pressure and be there emotionally for mom. I held her foot/leg. She held my hand. She is a STRONG women. My arm was shaking after.

I didn't realize how physically demanding births could really be. I was fine until I had to get out of my car to pump gas. It felt like I was hit by a car. I've gotta get in better shape for sure!

Overall, this birth was wonderful. There's nothing like watching a life come into the world. It's a miracle- everytime.

My friend and fellow doula and birth advocate friend Busca posted this on her Birth Faith blog.
Amazing.

Remember these "Five PR's"--the most helpful things you can provide for your partner while she labors...

1. Presence

• Sometimes all she needs is your loving physical presence.
• Be “Rock Steady”—the familiar, strong, soothing rock she can hold on to.
• Be “present” in every way—don’t let your fatigue or fear take your attention away from her emotional and physical needs.
• Do NOT fall asleep (unless she’s asleep).
• Do NOT leave her alone unless she demands it.
• Some women prefer to be alone while they labor. (But don't go too far!)

2. Protection

• Be a buffer between your wife and the rest of the world.
• You can’t protect her from the intensity of childbirth or from unexpected complications, but you can protect her personal space and surround her with peace and calm.
• Close doors.
• Turn off/down the lights.
• Take over answering questions so she can keep her energy focused on her hard work. If someone tries to talk to her mid-contraction, gently ask for them to wait or stand between them and your wife until her contraction is over signaling with your hands for them to wait a moment.
• No matter what happens or how much stress may arise, ensure that she always feels safe and secure. Remember Jesus Christ’s calm in the storm that frightened his disciples: “Peace, be still.”

3. Pressure

• One of the most helpful hands-on ways to help with the most difficult contractions is counter-pressure.
• Use your hands to provide firm, strong, steady pressure.
• Lower back/pelvis
• Double hip squeeze
• Knees while sitting with something against her back
• Hip while side-lying
• Do not let up until the contraction ends! (You will probably get tired.)

4. Prompts

• Your wife will likely not be in a position to remember all of the ways to increase her comfort, so your job is to prompt her.
• Remember PURRR
• P Position: Is she changing position every half hour?
• U Urination: Is she using the bathroom every hour? (And drinking lots of fluids?)
• R Relaxation: Is she as relaxed as possible?
• R Respiration: Is she breathing evenly and as calmly as possible?
• R Rest: Is she resting between contractions?

5. Praise

• All of your words must instill her with hope, confidence, peace, comfort, pride, and power.
• Think of it as your job to help her get to the “finish line” without giving up.
• "You are so amazing right now!"
• "I am so proud of you!"
• “You are doing so well!”
• Kissing counts! (Some women find kissing very helpful.)
• When she says, "I can't do it!" reply with, "You are doing it."
• When she’s reached the point when she thinks she can’t do it anymore, that usually means she’s almost finished, so shower her with praise, encouragement, and lots of statements like: “You are so close!” “You’re almost there!” “The baby is almost here!”

my first birth

I will never write a whole birth story (( bc of privacy issues)) but I want to document some of the things that impacted me.

I welcomed VBAC DOULA baby girl Wendy on 4/30/10 at 2:51pm weighing 6lb 13oz and 18 1/2in.

Mom was pushing. I placed my hand on her leg, got close to her, and whispered "you can do this".... She opened her eyes and looked right at me. Her eyes widened and she smiled. Almost immediately she went back to pushing- chin to her chest when SHE felt like she needed to. The light was at the end of the tunnel and she was running for it.

The next day, I called her. She said to me: "it was so great having you there bc i knew YOU did it and i COULD DO IT TOO"

THAT is why I became a doula.