Newbie doula looking for last-minute advice

[Moonprysm]

Hi ladies. *waves* I took the doula training class through DONA over a year ago. I decided not to get certified with them for personal reasons, but I am still going to be a doula. I have my first mama, through opperation special delivery (GREAT cause!). She's being induced Friday morning, and I'm not feeling very prepared for an induced birth. She's not really devoted to going naturally, she's kind of a "well, I got an epi with my son b/c it was 3am and I needed sleep. I'd be fine with not getting one or getting one if I need it, whatever" mindset. I've looked over all my notes and paperwork and whatnot, just wondering if any expirenced doulas have any tips/hints/advice for being at an induced birth. We have discussed having them break her water and letting her walk vs. getting the pit immediately, so we're hoping that's what will happen (so I'll at least have SOME time with her out of the bed!). Thanks guys! I'm excited! As much as I hate inductions (especially ON her due date b/c they won't let her go past *shakes head*) it's kinda nice to be able to schedule my childcare and get all that straight before hand instead of at 3am. lol

[Sage.Naissance]

Why on earth are they inducing her ON her due date?
What I would do first is get her butt moving and try and get that baby to come on its own first! If she has a partner I would try and get them 'getting cozy' and just use every trick in the 'avoiding induction' book. Really, just try and get her going before hand.
In terms of supporting her at the birth, pray for great hospital staff and employ your best 'dealing with pain' techniques to keep that epidural as far away as possible and baby coming as quickly as possible.
Good luck, Im sure you will do great.

[MidwifeErika]

Make sure she eats before the induction begins. And then just go with the flow. You will figure out as she labors how to best support her and her needs.

[onlyboys]

I've only attended one birth where an epidural was administered. The mom had a really hard time with the shaking, and she also got really, really out of it. So, it spent a lot of time getting her warm blankets, holding her legs, doing the hip squeeze. Also, if she gets totally out of her body, you can remind her when the contractions are happening, and helping her push will be very important.

[Moonprysm]

Originally Posted by Sage.Naissance

Why on earth are they inducing her ON her due date?
What I would do first is get her butt moving and try and get that baby to come on its own first! If she has a partner I would try and get them 'getting cozy' and just use every trick in the 'avoiding induction' book. Really, just try and get her going before hand.
In terms of supporting her at the birth, pray for great hospital staff and employ your best 'dealing with pain' techniques to keep that epidural as far away as possible and baby coming as quickly as possible.
Good luck, Im sure you will do great.

Unfortunately it kind of works for her, being induced now. See, her husband is in Iraq until June. We live in VA, and ALL of her family (including her in-laws) live in Washington state. She has a 20 month old and this newborn on the way. NO support system at all. Her mother is in town for all of a week, so I think she was less inclined to argue with them about the induction date since it falls while her mother is here. If she were to go to 42 weeks, she would be totally alone. I live a good 2 hours away and have a toddler of my own, so there's only so much I can do for her. I can't be there at 2am when the baby is screaming and wakes the toddler and she's trying to nurse the baby and comfort her little boy at the same time, kwim? It's a really tough situation and I think she's making the best decision for her family. It's unfortunate that she has to make that choice.

Anyway, thanks for your help ladies. I'm sure it'll be fine. I'm just a little out of my comfort area with the doctors and meds and all that.

[RMM1117]

Do you mind if I ask why you decided not to go with DONA? No criticism at all!-Just curious as I'm looking into them. TIA!

[Moonprysm]

Just wanted to update you guys...

She called me at 3:20 yesterday to tell me her water broke. YAY for avoiding the induction!!!

I got to the hospital exactly two hours later, to hear a baby crying!!! When she called me, she said her water had broken, but she hadn't had any contractions yet. She delivered a 8lb 12oz baby boy at 5:14!! I was soooo sad to have missed the birth, but thrilled for her. She was in the hall with 4 people in front of her for a room at 4:45. So they didn't get ANYTHING in her, let alone thinking about an epi. She didn't get an IV or anything. I'm so happy for her. She said she'll probably have a homebirth next time since there's no way she'd make it to the hospital if her next is any shorter. I stayed with her for 5 or 6 hours while they got her settled.

[JamieCatheryn]

That's awesome! Sorry you missed it.

[Sage.Naissance]

WOW! What an awesome outcome! How empowering for her. I'm so happy to hear it!

[Happymesweetpea]

Empowered to birth at home!

How simply fantastic that she had such an empowering birth experience. When all goes right, that is how it should be. Birth is natural and all of the interventions that are so conveniently placed in front of them can ultimately be incredibly dis-empowering. That is not to say, of course, that there is not a time for any medical interventions because there certainly is. Modern obstetrical practices have absolutely saved many lives for sure. However, it is very telling when a mother is "forced" to have natural childbirth, despite her preconceptions, and is surprised by the results!!

Good work mama, good work doula and welcome to the world new babe!

http://conceptionchronicles.typepad.com