Sage

So as a doula who is part of the wonderful birth community, I get asked to be other doulas back up doulas all the time. I agree if I’m not to busy, and their client is in my service area etc. I have only once got called to come in for a few hour relief for another doula and then she came back(this was before covid!)

Until this last week!! I got a call from a lovely local doula that she couldn’t make it to her client’s birth and that they were in early labor. Which is ironic since the only time I’ve had to call in a back up in for one of my clients it was for this doula!! It is so great how the community of doulas supports each other.

So I connected to them via text and stayed in touch throughout the night, we chatted a few times, so I could hear how things were going both emotionally and also I love to chat with moms through contractions to see if that’s even possible!

The next morning a little after 8 am when I got home from dropping off most of my kids at school I texted to see how things were going. They called me right back and said “yeah we could use help they are really picking up now!!” so I quickly got my 3 year old dropped off at my moms and headed their way!

The wonderful thing about doula work is you can walk into a room with a mom you have never met, who is in labor and its surprisingly not weird at all-because you know how to support labor!

So while I jumped in on hip squeezes for mom, the dad got up and dressed and all the things together for heading into the hospital! About an hour after I got there the mom looked up and said “ we have to head in now!” So off we went!

After getting to the hospital, parking the cars, waiting for them to be admitted about an another hour had passed. It was now 11ish am and they were settled in a room. The Dad was doing great supporting mom, and comforting her! So I helped with position change ideas, getting water, telling the dad he was doing a great job and taking pictures!

After trying to lay on her side for a while mom got up and announced it was different and she was pushing a bit. “Wonderful” the midwife said and sat on the floor next to her and told her to do whatever she needed she would be there to support her!!!

So after a few different positions of pushing at 1:04 mom delivered her beautiful baby on hands and knees on the floor. The midwife caught her baby and then her and the husband helped hand baby through moms legs so she could pull the baby up onto her chest!! Baby started crying, which is always what you want to hear right away!

Placenta was born, and the mom was so excited to see how cool it was!! Which is always so fun, then the midwife gives a tour of it which includes explanation of where baby lived, how it works a bit!

A few hours later after all the things calmed down I told them I would see them later that week hopefully for a post partum visit!

I stayed in touch with them and encouraged them about breast feeding, jaundice and finally making it home!!! Then 6 days postpartum I was able to swing in to chat in the morning about how fantastic they were doing, and answer any sleeping/nursing questions they had. Wishing them the best of luck on the newest adventure and that giving themselves tons of grace is the best way to survive the newborn days!

Thank you so much for having me be part of you grand new adventure!!!