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Doula's "Sympathy pains"  

post #1 of 12
6/12/07 at 1:08pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, I know I've read threads on this before, but I think I am taking it to a new level.

I've heard (and read in spiritual midwifery) that other women can be so intuned with the laboring mother that they can feel somewhat what she is going through. I felt like I had gone through a mini labor after attending my first birth. Then my second birth I was dreaming I was the baby in birth when the phone woke me up to tell me to get myself to the birth. So now I am on my 3rd client. I get nausious and over heated every once in awhile now (found out she's been having "menstral type cramps" around the same time.) But Saturday was a whole new one for me. I had been getting nauseous off and on all morning.... just thought I needed to eat. Went to eat, but it certainly didn't help. Then while we were in the middle of a store, my milk let down enough to leave a wet spot on my shirt! My daughter is 2 1/2 years old! Yes, we still nurse, but this hasn't happened since she was 2 months old! It seems really far fetched that I would have "sympathy pains" like this (no, I'm NOT pregnant), but have a hard time explaining why I'm feeling these things if it's not sympathy. So anyone else go to this extreme?
post #2 of 12
6/12/07 at 1:41pm
Haven't ever experienced quite that reaction, but have definitely had issues with my period starting when I'm with a laboring woman. Fun. Seems if it is remotely close to "that" time and I am at a birth things get set off.
post #3 of 12
6/12/07 at 2:01pm
I'll often start cramping when someone's in labour. Or get diarrhea (not funny!).

I've been to a few births where everyone in the room was so in-tune with mama's pushing, we all got hemmroids.
post #4 of 12
6/12/07 at 2:16pm
I can't even watch a birth on television without feeling the womans labor (to a much lesser degree) it's been helpful to me.
post #5 of 12
6/12/07 at 3:17pm
Yup- happened over here, too! I think it has to do a lot with pheremones and hormones zinging through the air and people who are focused on the outcome of the mother being affected as such.

Clara
post #6 of 12
6/12/07 at 3:57pm
Yep, if I am anywhere near my period when I go to a birth, I better have some protection with me.
post #7 of 12
6/12/07 at 6:01pm
Thread Starter 
Good, I'm not the only one. Hopefully I won't be like the room full of people with hemroids. And the diarrhea would definatly be a con of becoming a doula!

Weird thing is, this time my client isn't in even in labor yet and I'm feeling like this. : She's got another 6 weeks till her due date. (We only discussed breastfeeding at the prenatal the day before.)
post #8 of 12
6/12/07 at 6:20pm
those that respond this way, do you also respond to being in a room of women?

For instance, getting your period weeks early after spending a few days at a workshop (with all women)?

I can't even spend a night over the same roof with another woman without my period (or cramps at least, which I never get) showing up.

The first birth I attended I was 30 weeks pregnant and thought I was going into labor.

and I'm glad it isn't just me, too.
post #9 of 12
6/12/07 at 11:39pm
The last seven births I've attended, I have gotten a migraine about the same time the mom started early labor. I go to bed with a KILLER headache, and get a call three or four hours later that mom's in labor. Finally, the last birth, on Sunday, I got my migraine on Saturday. I called the midwife and asked whether she'd heard from the mom that day. she said that she'd spoken to her earlier that day, and that she was fine...that I should just go to sleep and get over the headache. She called about five hours later to tell me that I needed to be on the road, it was time for a baby. I just know that, from now on, when I get a migraine (what a PLEASANT way, by the way, to know that a mama's in labor...I'd SO much rather have a nice birthing dream!), to lay my clothes out!
post #10 of 12
6/12/07 at 11:53pm
Well I guess you could consider my mom a birth professional. She helped deliver my DS at home ( long story) Both times I have given birth she has gotten her period and has milk and let downs! It has been 15 years since my mom gave birth or breastfed. I guess maybe it is a mother daughter thing?
My mom is looking into becoming a MW or doula, I guess maybe I should send her this thread
Krista
post #11 of 12
6/12/07 at 11:54pm
I always seem to feel "off" when a mama is getting ready. It's hard to explain, but I feel like I'm going to get sick. I take that as my clue to get as much rest as possible, and generally I get a call within 2-3 days. When I'm talking with a mom who is anxious that she will never go into labor, I have to resist the urge to say "I feel like total crap, I can guarantee you will be in labor soon!".

Births always seem to mess with my digestive system as well, which is oh so fun while with a laboring mom.
post #12 of 12
6/13/07 at 4:40am
My uterus has felt heavy at some births, I've gotten dizzy, had tummy upset...

My friend was with me near the end of my last pregnancy and one day we were talking heavy emotional life and death stuff and she got sweaty, hot and teary. She said it was all from me.

And my eyes always well up when the babies are taking their first breaths. Always!



I absolutely believe in the strong spiritual, emotional, physical and hormonal connections. :
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