I'm often asked what it's like to be a doula. What is involved? How long does it take to do a birth and come home? Does your family suffer from it? There are a lot of questions that need to be seriously considered when thinking of becoming a doula.
The focus of this is more on my life than on the glorious births. While this is not a complete diary of every event or birth, nor are the names real, here are some glimpses into my year...
December 31st
Almost midnight
We're sitting around with the kids waiting to ring in the New Year together. They have on their inexpensive multi-colored plastic leis and are holding their sparkling grape juice high in the air, asking, "Is it time yet?"
Kevin and I are excited that we were able to be together this night, although we know it could end at any moment. My client has been calling off and on all day wondering if tonight's the night! I assured her that I'm ready to walk out the door as soon as she wants me there.
January 9th
2:37 AM
The phone rings and I'm trying to find it before everyone else wakes up. I stumble on a toy and muffled my voice as I grumble. I didn't make it in time. I take the phone towards the living room to see if a message was left. Before I get there my pager, which is, of course, back upstairs, begins to go off. I now am positive that someone is in labor.
K is calling to tell me that her water broke. She's three weeks before her due date and excited, but not having contractions. I suggest a quick call to her practitioner and back to sleep if at all possible. She says she'll call back when they've heard from the doctor.
A few minutes later and their doctor has told them it's safe to stay home for awhile. I tell her to call me in the morning, or before if she needs me!
An hour and 20 minutes later the phone rings again and they are ready for me. Contractions have started and they'd like to meet me at the hospital, because there is an ice storm that's already hit and is probably going to get worse before it gets better.
When I get home I also try to talk Kevin into having another baby, he tells me to go to bed, I'll feel differently in the morning. ;-)
February 11th
K and her baby looked great today at a postpartum visit. She is nursing well and her jaundice looks much better. K is very excited about being a mommy and is still glowing from her birth. I rushed home to greet the kids off the school bus and help with after school homework.
After dinner is done, I put all of the dishes in the sink and gather my bags to head out the door. Benjamin our 5 year old asks, "Where are you going?" Hilary, the all knowing 7 year old response, "To get a baby..."
"Not this time kids, I have to go teach a class about doulas at the library. I'll be home before you go to bed."
March 3rd
1:00 AM
I'm just getting to bed. I know I shouldn't have stayed up, but I really needed to get some work done. As my head it the pillow I hear the phone and look at the clock. I sigh, another all nighter!
L is having contractions that are pretty close together, could I come over? Sure, be right there...
The birth was great and fast. It's an unexpected treat to be crawling back in bed just before morning.
