Brand new water-birthed baby, with the assistance of a midwife and doula!
Last post I related to you my very first experience with childbirth. This time I want to share with you of how I was inspired to become a doula.
When I became pregnant with my first child over 9 years ago, I knew that I didn’t want a hospital birth. I wasn’t very versed in “alternative” obstetrical care but I knew that I wanted a midwife and to birth at home. My first stop was our local pregnancy care center to get a confirmation test and references for care providers. I was blessed to find out that we had a local midwife about 40 minutes from where I lived at the time. I contacted her for care and thus our relationship began.
Her name was Michelle and she was such a caring woman. When she came for the first visit she informed me that she worked in tandem with a doula. “A what?” I said. So she explained what a doula was and how she would help me through labor and the birthing process. Okay, whatever. I didn’t mind but I had no idea at just how this extra woman was going to “help” me. Tana, my doula, would go on to become one of my most respected and dear friends but back to my story.
As my pregnancy progressed and my midwife performed all manner of regular testing and exams (blood work, urine evaluation, dietary evaluation, etc) it became evident that I had an issue. My platelet count was very low. Normally in pregnancy the platelet count drops, but mine was too low for her comfort. Upon further consultation with her back-up physician they decided that I had ‘risked-out’ of a homebirth and had to be transferred to OB care and give birth in the hospital, “just in case”.
This was devastating to me. I had no desire to give birth in a facility. Birth is a natural physiological event, not a medical emergency needing to be managed (in most cases). I continued with concurrent care, seeing my midwife for my regular prenatal exams while also checking in the with OB as well. My doctor was a wonderful and caring physician, he wasn’t quite used to my questions and probing for information however. Even though I was not at all happy with the need for a doctor, I was pleased with his care. He agreed to many of my birthing requests and even “allowed” me extra people in the room, which included both Tana and Michelle. Although Michelle would not be performing clinical duties, she would still be able to help me labor and provide me with information if/when I needed it. I had a full room of people!
I wanted to labor at home for as long as possible in order to avoid unnecessary intervention in the hospital. Even though I had to give birth there, I did not want to be messed with. So when I went into labor Tana and Michelle came to my house to support me. We labored there for hours. And hours. And hours. Tana and Michelle took turns sleeping, while one stayed up with me, it was such a long ordeal. Once we made the decision to head to the hospital, I really started to stress-out.
I resented the hospital environment. I was not sick and I did not need a wheelchair to take me to the room although the persistent orderly followed me all the way to my room with his black and chrome chariot. I doubt he had ever seen a laboring woman squatting in the hallway to work through a contraction. I think the poor fellow probably thought I was going to give birth right there. I distinctly remember Tana repeatedly explaining to him that everything was alright, I was just working through a contraction.
Once in my room I had very accommodating nurses and the check-in process went smoothly, but my “time clock” had been started. At one point the senior nurse on duty came in to stand in the corner and watch me. I was in active labor and using squats as a coping mechanism. Tana was applying counter pressure to my hips and lower back, and I was vocalizing through the contractions. She then confided in Tana that she had never seen a completely unmedicated birth before. She was curious about what we were doing. A teaching moment!
My labor had progressed well at home, but regressed as we got to the hospital, stress hormones were taking their toll, along with an asynclitic head that was stuck and not coming down well at all. Tana and Michelle kicked into high gear in order to help me move the baby via position changes and bring her down.
After an extended period, the nurses began to get nervous. My labor had started Sunday, it was Monday night and I was not there yet. I did not know it at the time but the “C” word started to be tossed about. Tana went to bat for me and declared that there would be no need for surgery, that I would give birth to this child soon. She then came in and had a heart to heart talk with me. We prayed, I released the fear and resentment I was holding onto and had a good cry. Then things really started changing.
I went on to give spontaneous vaginal birth to my first child bright and early that Tuesday morning. Although I obviously did the work myself, I fully credit Tana with providing me with the encouragement, knowledge and wisdom to enable me to give birth. My babies are her babies as we fondly say! Tana was such a pivotal part of my success. Without her help I have no doubt that I would have become a statistic, one of those women making up the nearly 20% primary cesarean section rate at the time.
At home, I struggled with breastfeeding. My daughter who had nursed like a champ at the hospital, had now all of a sudden forgotten what it was that she was supposed to do. Again, Tana to the rescue. Her postpartum assistance was as valuable, albeit in a different capacity, to that she provided in the hospital. She got the two of us on a path to successful nursing.
The days following my daughter’s birth gave me time to reflect what happened to me in that birthing room. I was changed. A new woman was formed, I felt empowered. All because of the help of a servant, a doula named Tana.
I wanted to provide that same gift to other women.
So 9+ years later, here I am.
Tana has attended all of my births, and has since retired from birth work. She still inspires me, I doubt that will ever change! My babies are still her babies. My work is dedicated to her.
Happy International Doula Month!
Brandi Monson
CD(DONA)
Serving Southeast Kansas and Northeast Oklahoma
Including the cities of: Independence & Coffeyville Kansas and surrounding areas.
