I got my second client!

[Katielady]

I've been having trouble finding clients who want a doula with as little experience as I have. Well, I just had the most wonderful conversation with a mom to be, and she emailed me right away to say she wants to hire me! I'm so excited.

A wonderful teacher I had, who has attended over a thousand births, said that she feels that the baby calls her to the birth. I feel that way so strongly about this baby and mama! The mama is being induced in less than a week due to Type 1 diabtetes and suspicion of big baby (*sigh*), and found out that her regular doc will be on vaction for her induction date. So she's coming to a different state and a new provider, at the 11th hour, to try to ensure a healthy birth for her baby. She's very young, and sounds so scared, but at the same time she sounds so strong and resolved. I can't wait to be there with her.

Anyway, just wanted to say YAY! And wish me luck with what sounds like might be a challenging labor and birth.

[To-Fu]

Wow, that's awesome! Congrats. Sounds like it will be an intense experience for you--can't wait to hear how it goes!

[izzysmama]

Yeah!!! I love it when that happens!

[~pi]

Congrats!!! Best of luck to you and to her.

I am type 1 as well -- I wish I had thought to change hospitals when things started looking negative for me! Kudos to her.

ETA: I am assuming she plans to bf. Note that babies of T1 moms are legitimately more likely to be hypoglycemic, but a lot of hospitals go waaaay overboard on dealing with it (e.g. 4 hours of observation in the nursery after birth.) Here is a useful resource: A bfing-friendly protocol for the treatment of neonatal hypos (pdf, June 2006)

Also, we have a tiny little tribe of T1 mamas here, and if you are interested in reading up, there is a list of useful resources in the first post: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...d.php?t=434335

[Katielady]

OOH! Thanks so much. She does plan to breastfeed, and has already expressed concern about that issue. She says she heard they'll feed the baby formula if he's hypoglycemic. Her lamaze teacher advised her to start pumping colostrum now so they can use that instead...does that make sense?

Originally Posted by ~pi

Congrats!!! Best of luck to you and to her.

I am type 1 as well -- I wish I had thought to change hospitals when things started looking negative for me! Kudos to her.

ETA: I am assuming she plans to bf. Note that babies of T1 moms are legitimately more likely to be hypoglycemic, but a lot of hospitals go waaaay overboard on dealing with it (e.g. 4 hours of observation in the nursery after birth.) Here is a useful resource: A bfing-friendly protocol for the treatment of neonatal hypos (pdf, June 2006)

Also, we have a tiny little tribe of T1 mamas here, and if you are interested in reading up, there is a list of useful resources in the first post: http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...d.php?t=434335

[3daughters]

Yes, that is what Dr. Jack Newman says to do!

[~pi]

:

I went to see Jack Newman when I was pregnant and got some help with my plan. I pumped a small amount of colostrum beforehand and my DS got that in the NICU. He ended up getting quite a bit of formula in there as well, but it meant a lot to me that he was able to get something from me first, especially since I wasn't able to be with him.

[3daughters]

Originally Posted by ~pi

:

I went to see Jack Newman when I was pregnant and got some help with my plan.

The beauty of being a resident of T.O. !

[Breastfeeding Insomniac]

Congrats on the new client! Def have her store some colostrum if possible. Maybe someone can get her 5 and 10cc syringes, she can store them in those and freeze them, then bring them with her for when the baby is born, in case they do supplement. Def advocate for skin to skin and early bf. The skin to skin will stimulate the release of hormones regulating blood sugar.

[Gunter]

COngrats! Have you thought about volunteering, either on your own or within a hospital/birth center/with HB MWs? You may be able to gain lots of experience pretty quickly.

two of the hospitals in my area have a volunteer doula program for families to use. you pick the days and hours you want to be on call and have monthly meetings with other doulas. it's a great way to get plugged into the doula community and get some experience.

[iemaja]

Wonderful!!! Congratulations! My first client is due in January...I'm wondering how it will be to find my second client. I think you're right about being led to a baby/mama. I hadn't intended to become a doula until after I graduate from grad school, but this mama sought me out to become my first client. good luck!

[iemaja]

Hi Gunter, This sounds like a wonderful way to gain experience as a doula. Where are you located? I'm wondering if there is a program of this type in my area...