My first doula experience...

[madison]

Well, it is looking like I may have the opportunity to attend my first birth as a doula (pre-certification). I'm quietly excited about it. I'm looking forward to supporting someone in labor, and using some of the techniques we were taught in our doula training class. I also get butterflies thinking about it, but I know those will disappear once I'm in the experience - pre-game jitters so to speak. I don't know the mom very well, but I think that'll be OK. I get along with just about everyone, and our pareting philosophies seem quite close, so I think it'll be a comfortable "fit".

What were your first births like (as doulas or midwives)? I'd love to hear your stories.

And, doulas, what did you bring? I'm bringing my cheat sheet of suggestions (laminated card), essential oils of lavender & clary sage with cotton balls, a rice sock, a change of comfy clothing for me, comfortable shoes, a disposable camera (in case someone forgets), a few snacks and a toothbrush/paste (for me, a doula with bad breath would gross me out). Any suggestions or advice?

Encourage me, advise me, humor me!

[copslass]

She is fortunate to have you, Madison, you'll be great!
Tracy

[Milo]

Chapstick, or something for dry lips, and lotion for your hands...

I am not a "real" doula, but was asked to assist with a friend's birth...it really opened my eyes to how hard everyone worked to support me when I was having my babies. Have fun!

[madison]

Chapstick - good idea, I hadn't thought of that!

Yup, already have the unscented hand lotion packed, AND a nice smelling massage lotion, too.

Thanks!

And thanks Tracy

[lisamarie]

Congrats Madison~that's exciting. Well, my friend/client just had her baby yesterday and dispite our dreaming about a girl, it was a little boy (Thomas Henry).

Anyways, back to your question. I would also suggest to bring a water bottle for you~the room can get warm and you can get pretty drained and dehyrated while working and massaging. I also brought camara, comfy clothes, food, water and massage lotion. I used it all, except for the clothes (I was already in my massage clothing, so it wasn't a problem)

I love attending births~this was my 6th. HAve done military hospital birth, homebirths as well as hospitals. Sometimes, I'm more nervous about how the Ob/gyn & nurses will respond to my presence, than anything. Yesterday, my friend had a hopsital birth w/a midwife. The midwife and RN was wonderful and really worked with them and me, as a team. The result~we arrived at 3:00 pm, we walked, she drank water/juice, I massage her legs and the pressure points around her ankles to stimulate contractions, walked more, used the warm jacuzzi tub and she pushed 5 times at at 6:23 pm Baby Thomas arrived! He latched on an hour later and nursed for about 10 min. too! No episotomy and it was a natural birth! I'm so proud of her.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hugs~

Lisa

[madison]

Thanks, Lisa!

I'll let you guys know how it goes! WHEN it goes!

[xiola]

this thread is kinda old but I wanted to bump it. I am going thru training this weekend, and I am nervous. I would love to hear stories of attended births, what you do at the birth, anything...I'll take all the info I can get. thanks
-heather

[stayinghome]

I've done two births now, and would love to tell the stories!

Both happened after my training...

First birth was a bradley couple I met during sitting in on the class. Mom developed pre-eclampsia and was told to go to the hospital right away for an induction. (she was 40 weeks.) She called me, crying, unhappy about the course her labor was taking. I stroked her over the phone, focusing on the fact that soon she'd meet her baby! and that everyone would be healthy, how we can still labor without pain meds even with pitocin, etc...

Then I hung up and FREAKED OUT!!!!!! I was SOOOOOO nervous, scared, had NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. Called a doula friend, she talked me down, said I'd be great. ect... So I re-read the info on pre-ecplampsia and induction, and off I went. I just told myself to fake it, walk in there with an air of optomism and confidence. And I sooooo faked it, cause I was really ****ing my pants.

The induction went well, she was at 9 cm 5 hours later, and we used a rice sock, counter pressure, and breathing to cope with contractions. (she was confined to bed and laying on her left side.) Then she only pushed for a little bit and baby was born! No meds! Then, mom bled a LOT, picture the blood forming a pool on the floor, (could it be because doc was PULLING on the cord to deliver palcenta!! ) that bad. so they gave her a shot of methergene to stop that, then that made her really ill and she threw up and had diareah all night long. so I stayed all night, holding her hair, moppng her face, etc... and dad held baby. I left the next morning. I gained a lot of confidence, and realised that as long as we gently and lovingly care for these women, that's what being a doula is all about. It's kind of like mothering.

2nd birth- another couple from the same bradley class, a young couple, she called me in the early morning hours, and had been contracting since 4 am. I went to her house, an hour away, and we were there laboring for about 4 hours. She liked music, except one song, and that particular song could NOT be played! She liked the birth ball and accupressure, and the sock and a cold cloth. When she started moaning, we left for the hospital. When we got there she was 8 cm, and got into the tub. She was there for an hour, then we walked the halls and did the birth ball some more. then she started getting grunty and was complete. Pushed for about an hour, and baby boy was born! Then placenta took 45 minutes, and doc wanted to give a shot of pitocin, which she refused. I suggested nipple stimulation and 5 minutes later it came out! I stayed long enough to get nursing going, and to take pics, and then they asked if I would go get Wendy's for them! So after that errend my job was complete.

Hope this helps give you an idea of what it's like- I have #3 coming up, a vbac... Warmly, HeatherE

[marymom]

hey Madison I remember your posts from a year or more ago in a different spot, or maybe it was a chat, anyway, I was compelled to reply to you, Have you done the birth? Was it everything you thought? Were YOU who you thought!?
Bring your heart, ground yourself, chapstick and water... thats my advice, the rest is icing on the cake,
and to...was it Milo? who said you were not a real doula? You are a real doula in my book anyone who helps a mom give birth, especially on request , is a doula! All the training and certification does not make you a doula,(just my opinion) its in the heart I think.
Training is nice, dont get me wrong anyone, and certification, well thats another can o worms, I personally could care less about the cert part but I recognize the many redeeming benefits of a certification process, blessings to all the birthing ladies and "doulas"

[LizD]

Keep some handwork in your doula suitcase or bag, like knitting needles/crochet hook and yarn, modeling beeswax - something you can put down easily but also occupy your hands during some of the waiting around that natural birth entails. If you are just sitting quietly it is soothing for everyone if you're knitting and then you are not just staring. You can't read, so you need something to keep just the hands busy while keeping your attention on the family.

If the birth is going to be documented for certification, have your files in order, birth record sheet on top, so you are not messing about with papers. Some doulas keep a strip of masking tape on their leg to jot down vag exams etc without having to stop what they're doing and dig through the client's file.

As well as chapstick and toothbrush, pack a small toiletry bag in your doula case that has travel size mouthwash, deodorant, comb, hair ties, extra contacts and empty case, even tiny bottles of shampoo/conditioner. If you are with someone for 29 hours you will be glad of the supplies to freshen up.

Hope this is helpful! Just your presence is what's most effective. Lots of luck! The DONA certification email list has lots more tips on what to pack in the birth bag, if you need more suggestions.