[iemaja]

Hello! I was hired to provide doula services for a fellow birth professional (a student midwife, very soon-to-be independently practicing midwife) and her family for her homebirth in March. This is the first time I've been hired by someone already "in the field." So far I have LOVED working with this mama and her family; however, I'm unsure about my support of her during pregnancy. So much of my role as a doula during pregnancy is to provide educational support. However, this mama could teach me plenty!

We've already had our first prenatal and are planning our next prenatal for late January. We've addressed her previous birth experiences, her wishes for her 2nd birth, her thoughts on my role, and her partner's thoughts regarding the birth.

What else can I do to foster our doula-family bond and increase the amount of support I offer them in pregnancy, aside from education?

As birth professionals, what sort of support would you like from a fellow birth prof? (This goes for pregnant midwives receiving care from fellow midwives, too!)

Have you provided services for someone who is also in the birth field? What were those experiences like?

I do plan to discuss this more in depth with the mama, just thought I'd get some helpful, inspiring thoughts here, as well. Thank you!

:

 

[Jane]

I'd like her to remember that I can't neccesarily be in my midwife head and my laboring mama head and remember to treat me like any other laboring mama.
I really don't feel like a need a doula family bond - some connection is good. Some mutual talk about birth and expecations and likes and dislikes is good. Perhaps I'm used to doulas that just do one prenatal and one post partum and the birth.

 

[iemaja]

Great advice about giving her the space to be "just" another laboring mama. I'm not too worried about my support role during her labor and birth (at least not more so than I am for any other client)...moreso about my role during her pregnancy. Doulas in this area typically provide 2 prenatal "education" visits, birth support, and 1 post-partum visit. Thanks for your sharing your thoughts!

 

[Sage.Naissance]

I would talk more about her feelings about her birth, and explore those areas, I might bring her some a nice poem that she might not have heard, talk about what might help her during the birth, maybe do some birth art. Obviously you dont need to talk to her about the birth process, moreso about her individual needs and how you can help her.
I would also be honest about not knowing what to talk to her about, and ask what she feels would be pertininent for the two of you to discuss.

 

[1stimestar]

I had TWO doulas at my homebirth and it was fantastic. My dh is not real comfortable with birth so we each had one lol. My main doula was 7 months pregnant so we had another to help if needed. Just remember while she is in labor that she is a regular laboring momma who needs to be reminded to change positions, empty bladder, handed sips of water in between contractions, back rubs, reminders to relax each muscle, encouraged, told how great she is doing etc. Once my support team got to my house (about 7 cm) it was like a slumber party and we laughed and made stupid jokes in between contractions for several hours. Good luck and have fun.

 

[MsBlack]

I would just ask her what she wants--tell her that obviously we don't need to do the usual education stuff, that I need to know how she sees me being the most helpful. And yeah--let her be a laboring mom, be in the present with her then and do what you do so well as it may be indicated.

 

[BrooklynDoula]

I'd probably rub her feet/back and chat like friends

 

[iemaja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sage.Naissance I might bring her some a nice poem that she might not have heard,

Fabulous idea!

I'll definitely bring a neat quote or poem to our next prenatal. Any specific suggestions?

 

[iemaja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimestar I had TWO doulas at my homebirth and it was fantastic. My dh is not real comfortable with birth so we each had one lol. My main doula was 7 months pregnant so we had another to help if needed. Just remember while she is in labor that she is a regular laboring momma who needs to be reminded to change positions, empty bladder, handed sips of water in between contractions, back rubs, reminders to relax each muscle, encouraged, told how great she is doing etc. Once my support team got to my house (about 7 cm) it was like a slumber party and we laughed and made stupid jokes in between contractions for several hours. Good luck and have fun.

Sounds like a wonderful birth experience! I loved thinking of it like a slumber party.

What sort of pregnancy support/education/commiseration did your doulas provide?

 

[iemaja]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrooklynDoula I'd probably rub her feet/back and chat like friends

Definitely!!!! I always provide a feet/back/neck/and/or/head rub at my 2nd prenatal... something tells me it will be an especially great thing for this mama, since she is always on her feet, running around, y'know being a midwife!

 

[Sarahfina]

I think slowing down and really honoring the process of pregnancy/birth from the perspective of a woman (rather than a midwife!) would be great- ask her what she thinks- maybe do a belly cast, or help her plan a blessing way, or do some birth art to honor her very personal experience as a woman about to birth a child....ask her how she would like to honor this special pregnancy, and how you can support that...

Sarahfina