The Birth That Inspired Me to Become a Doula...

It was March 3rd 2012, the day before my due date at 8pm
I was squatting to clean under the bathroom sink (which I *never* do, by the way) when all of a sudden... something popped and fluid was running down my legs! Oh my goodness! 

I knew it was in fact my water as I had no control over it's flow. It just kept coming! 

I was overwhelmed with emotions....
Excitement, apprehension, a strong sense of deja vu.. 
Oddly enough, my water breaking was the first sign of labor in my first birth...and if I remember right, I was squatting to clean something that time as well. 
(Note to self - Just start scrubbing around 40 weeks!)

In 2009, I had called my sister in a panic, rushed to the hospital and 36+ hours later, had what I know now as a very medically managed birth... pitocin, epidural, purple pushing...  
This time, in 2012, I had done my research and knew that I had a little wiggle room, I didn't have to rush right in.
*Read More Here * 
I had hired a doula early on in my pregnancy and read 1000's of birth stories throughout my pregnancy.... 
I really wanted a natural birth! 
 
Tears ran down my face... I knew that these would be my last moments of pregnancy... and that labor was imminent. I was going to meet my son! 

I called my doula right away to let her know what was going on and that I planned on resting... 
And so I did! To everyone's surprise (and my care provider's dismay), I slept through the night! 

It wasn't until the next afternoon, still not feeling any contractions and slightly concerned about infection, I chose to go to the hospital, knowing that induction might just be the next best thing for me/my birth... 

Upon arriving in triage around 2pm, I was 4cm and 75% effaced (wahoo!!)

My doula was there for me as soon as I said, ''Yes. I think I could use support.'' ... and I later learned that she was waiting by the phone all evening, anticipating my call. 
She arrived at 3:40pm. We walked the halls and the stairs, I bounced on the ball and tried nipple stimulation.. 

Labor was just not coming on or increasing in intensity/I didn't feel any contractions...

 At 6:30 pm, I begrudgingly decided to opt for pitocin, hoping ''just a whiff'' would swing me into labor...

And so it did....eventually...
Many hours later, I finally started feeling contractions. 

My doula was there with me all along, providing company, encouragement, affirmations.. 

By 10:30pm, I was really feeling the intensity of my contractions...
By 11:30pm, I had lost all modesty, and may have started yelling, ''I HAVE TO POOP!!'' 
A nurse reminded me, ''Well, you may...but you really just have to have a baby.'' 

I didn't want physical touch or even words from my doula (or anyone) at this point, but just knowing she was there, witnessing the intensity and cheering me on, helped more than I can put into words. 

I remember looking at my doula and saying, ''I'm sorry. I know I said I wanted this but I really just want the epidural.''
The look she gave me was that of compassion and understanding, but also faith... 
I could do this. I was doing this. 

At 12:41am, after lots of squatting through contractions and 3 strong pushes, sweet Patrick was born... all 9lbs 10oz of him!

I felt so good! I wanted to do it all again, right then!
Birth with pitocin and without an epidural was soo intense...but gosh, it felt great, all at the same time! Birth High is Real!

Within weeks after my birth, I had signed up for my doula training. I knew that this is what I was supposed to do, to support women and families! 
Patrick was born in March 2012, I took my first training in June and attended my first birth in October 2012! 

Wow! Here we are, 3 years later... and I'm preparing for the birth of my 3rd child, due in mid-late November with my last ''doula baby'' due in October and my first post-baby ''doula baby'', a repeat client, due in March! <3 

Talk about synchronicity!!

I've always known, since that first training and birth... this is exactly where I'm supposed to be! 

I'm so grateful to all of my friends, family and clients for their support and so look forward to attending many more births in the future, offering families that same loving guidance and unwavering support that my doula offered me.... 

 I'd love to talk with you about being your doula! 
Click here for more information and to schedule an interview today!