Advice, support, encouragement needed!!

[jbirdbrain]

So this is just my luck: I'm 39w1d pregnant. This whole time, I've been seeing the ONLY midwife in town- I really like her, we have agreed upon a birth plan, etc.

Well, the clinic called today and she broke her ankle (apparently very badly) over the weekend and had to have surgery (with plates and screws and the whole nine yards.) Good news is, surgery went well and she'll be ok but bad news is she cannot work. And they don't know how long she'll be out.

The only other option are 3 OB/GYNs (in the same practice). And you just get whoever is on call when you go into labor.

I've met all 3 and honestly, they seem fine, but I really wanted my midwife. She (unlike the docs) was going to be there throughout the whole labor (not just show up for the grand finale)....

Ugh. I doubt we could even afford one but is it too late to try to find a doula? I'm a first timer and was nervous enough without this...

[sunshine's mama]

mama

I know whats it's like to want a partiular someone to help your baby into the world.....the MW who I have been seeing for 4 years wasn't going to be in town around my due date and I was soooo sure I was going to go late like with my first...

I ended up with a different MW who happened to be on call (and arrived just as baby was crowning and let Dh and I do the delivering......) and she was fantastic.....and the OB who was on call is super nice too so...

It is late for a doula but you never know.....I would go ahead and contact a few just in case. I know the one I had offers a decent discount if you hire her late in the game.....

Good luck and blessings for a nice, easy labor..............

[jbirdbrain]

Thanks! I did some research and doulas are hard to come by here. There is one doula in training that doesn't charge anything (because she is still in training) and we are going to meet with her tomorrow night just to see...I figure if we don't like her, then we won't call her. But it might give me some peace of mind knowing she's around...

The OB/GYN's here have a very high c-section and other intervention rate and I would just feel good having someone there encouraging me and looking out for my wishes. DH is nervous enough and I really want him to be able to focus on supporting me...

I'm sure that either way, chances are it will be fine. Its just thrown me for a loop, you know? I've been imagining this wonderful, midwife assisted, intervention free birth and now I'm worried. I know that I can't forsee medical complications or anything like that and the most important thing is a healthy baby and mom, but a girl can dream, can't she?

[~minnow~]

I'm so sorry! I think the doula is a great idea. Our doula is also a doula in training but she's great (I actually love that we'll be the first birth she's attended as a doula) and it does give us some peace to know that she'll be there. Our midwife will too, but there's always the tiny chance someone else will go into labor same time I do and we'll get the backup instead.

Good luck!

[IntuitiveJamie]

I am really sorry to hear that this stress has entered into your life right now. I only have kind words of encouragement for you. I def. suggest a doula and you can prob. find one in training that is cheap if not free. I would check all doula training websites like www.alace.org and www.dona.org
they have listings of doulas in the area.
A doula will def. be on your side and help to advocate for you. And can really ease your partners mind. I truly hope this works out for you in the best way possible and please dont let it interfere with your hopes and dreams for a beautiful birth!

[lactivist]

That sucks! I hope you find a doula that you can work with. I am so sorry. Sending lots of peaceful calm birth vibes.
Wendi

[sunshine's mama]

I hope the doula is someone you like........I'd send you mine if you were closer!!!!

[First Time Mama]

I'm sorry. That must be hard to deal with changes at the last minute. I agree that a doula would be a great idea, even one in training. I think that you won't regret having a doula, and most likely only good things will come from it. Wishing you a positive, calm birth.

[Plaid Leopard]

Oh no! I hope the doula works out and that you have a peaceful, gentle birth!

[gina871]

Originally Posted by sunshine's mama

mama



It is late for a doula but you never know.....I would go ahead and contact a few just in case. I know the one I had offers a decent discount if you hire her late in the game.....

Good luck and blessings for a nice, easy labor..............

I called a doula, who was also our Bradley teacher the day before my first was born. I did get a discount because she did not do a pre-labor visit. I wish you luck. I thought the doula was well worth the money. Without her I more then likely would have end up with a c-setcion.(I end up with a doc that had a reputaion for doing them) He was an unexpected suprize, he did not work in the clinic I went to.