This story is written with permission and consent from the birthing momma.
On Monday morning, the mom I was working with sent me a text saying she was in early labor, and that she was doing fine. I checked in with her to make sure she was eating things to keep her energy up, resting when she could and regularly using the bathroom. She was very upbeat, and seemed to be handling her contractions well at the time. She was content to take her time waiting at home, and assured me she would let me know when she needed me. She was in labor for about 32 hours (between which time I checked in with her a couple times just to see how she was doing) before she called to tell me she had started having regular contractions. She decided that she wanted to continue to wait at home
as long as she possibly could. At this point, she was calm and very relaxed between contractions. I told her I would still be on standby for whenever she might need me. I decided to try to take a nap, since there was a possibility that I could be up all night. About an hour later, Mom's hubby called me to inform me that she was at the hospital, dilated to a 6, and would be staying there. I headed to the hospital to meet her there. When I came up past the nurses station, I was pleasantly greated by smiling faces and even heard someone whisper, "Ohh, her doula is here!" It was so sweet and a great introduction to the hospital she was birthing at. When I got into her room, she was breathing great through contractions but was very hot. I used a folder in my bag to fan her more than anything else I had with me, really. Dad did a great job the entire time of staying right by her side, and whispering, " I love you," and other peaceful words of encouragement. He would also gently stroke her arm to comfort her through contractions. It was amazing to watch the two of them be a team. At this time, I also applied cold washcloths to her neck to keep her cool. The midwife did a check about an hour later and said she was still at about a 6. Mom decided that she wanted to have her bag of waters ruptured to see if that would speed anything up. Mom took a cool shower for about an hour, then moved to sitting on toilet for about another hour. At this point she was nauseated and vomitted. We were still fanning her and helping keep her cool and hydrated. At one point the midwife asked if she wanted an IV in case she was getting dehydrated, but Mom decided to try to wait a bit longer and kept drinking lots of water. She was very shaky at this point also, and it seemed to help her that I would occasionally place a firm hand on her leg, arm, or shoulder to try to steady her. I also her a foot rub at one point, and when she was in the bathroom she asked to have a few drops of lavender to scent the room. I just put a couple drops on cotton balls and then we wafted the air with them so that it would help her to not have to smell bathroom smells. She said it helped a lot.
as long as she possibly could. At this point, she was calm and very relaxed between contractions. I told her I would still be on standby for whenever she might need me. I decided to try to take a nap, since there was a possibility that I could be up all night. About an hour later, Mom's hubby called me to inform me that she was at the hospital, dilated to a 6, and would be staying there. I headed to the hospital to meet her there. When I came up past the nurses station, I was pleasantly greated by smiling faces and even heard someone whisper, "Ohh, her doula is here!" It was so sweet and a great introduction to the hospital she was birthing at. When I got into her room, she was breathing great through contractions but was very hot. I used a folder in my bag to fan her more than anything else I had with me, really. Dad did a great job the entire time of staying right by her side, and whispering, " I love you," and other peaceful words of encouragement. He would also gently stroke her arm to comfort her through contractions. It was amazing to watch the two of them be a team. At this time, I also applied cold washcloths to her neck to keep her cool. The midwife did a check about an hour later and said she was still at about a 6. Mom decided that she wanted to have her bag of waters ruptured to see if that would speed anything up. Mom took a cool shower for about an hour, then moved to sitting on toilet for about another hour. At this point she was nauseated and vomitted. We were still fanning her and helping keep her cool and hydrated. At one point the midwife asked if she wanted an IV in case she was getting dehydrated, but Mom decided to try to wait a bit longer and kept drinking lots of water. She was very shaky at this point also, and it seemed to help her that I would occasionally place a firm hand on her leg, arm, or shoulder to try to steady her. I also her a foot rub at one point, and when she was in the bathroom she asked to have a few drops of lavender to scent the room. I just put a couple drops on cotton balls and then we wafted the air with them so that it would help her to not have to smell bathroom smells. She said it helped a lot.
It was interesting to see a woman in labor again and notice how she got to such a primal state. I realized I had to use concise questions, and only ask ones that were important. She could usually only muster out a "Okay," "No," or "I don't know." I also noticed she used hand signals, waving me to fan her more, or stop fanning at signal points. After a while of sitting on the toilet, she started to have the urge to push. The midwife came in a while later to check her again. At this point she was at a 10, and 100% effaced. She was encouraged to push whenever she felt the urge to. She also requested a mirror to be able to see the baby's head. She decided she felt comfortable pushing in a semi- sitting position in the bed in which she could pull up under her knees to push. After about 40 minutes of pushing, baby was born! It was incredible. Mom did such a great job, and baby was perfect and beautiful with long, wavy, black hair. I was amazed at Mom's strength and diligence. Mom made it without any drugs or an IV and didn't even tear, so no stitching was necessary.
I stayed a while, took pictures, helped them get started with breastfeeding. Baby did get latched well, and the nurses also had good helpful tips for breastfeeding. I was encouraged to work with such a strong and determined momma!
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