About 8 AM
My pager goes off. My client is having contractions 8 seconds long. Sounds not so important, but I was there for her last baby, I knew better than to blow this off.
Once I got there we hopped in my car because her husband was still packing. As I drove, I started wondering what my husband would say if we had a baby in my new minivan... I remembered we got the package that would replace the seats if they got stained and quit worrying.
We got to the hospital, her husband right behind us, and she had the baby about 6 minutes later...
September 3rd
10 AM
Dr. J calls. A previous client of mine has just had her baby early and needs some serious help because of other health problems (mom's). I agree to come and help.
It's a very scary situation. Mom needs me to stay in her room and watch her premature baby who is strong and healthy but small so that she can get well from some other problems. She needs help with breastfeeding. Her condition worsens. They don't expect the mother to live. The dad stays with her and I'm sent home from the hospital with their baby who can't stay in the ICU.
While I know Kevin won't say anything I do worry about what he'll think when I come home with a tiny baby, not to mention the fact I'm about 7 months pregnant.
"Hi honey, I'm home!" He's in the kitchen. "You know how some people see stray puppies and can't help but bring them home?" I call into the kitchen.
He's wiping his hands on a dish towel as he comes out, "Yes..."
I lift the car seat up, "Well, I found a stray baby..."
He laughs. Although he knows that if the baby is here with me, something is probably not good with mom.
September 5th
Baby J is finally home with his dad. Her mom is doing a lot better and will be home to hold her shortly. I manage to help out during the days. It was a neat experience and I was so glad to be of assistance.
September 10th
5:35 AM
The phone rings and I missed it. I call them back and it's N. He's telling me about the weather. I don't mean to sound snotty but it probably doesn't sound friendly when I say, "It's really early in the morning, is there something that is on your mind other than the weather?"
Yes, his wife is in early labor and they are excited. I agree to be over in about an hour. I have some things to take care of to get ready.
I take a quick shower and get dressed. I barely wake Kevin up, just enough so that he'll remember what I have to say, "Happy birthday honey! P is having her baby. You presents are in the top shelf of the closet. The cake needs to be made. Your family will be here at 7 PM, be sure to shave!"
October 31st
7:00 PM
My due date is long past and I'm very tired of being pregnant. I've called my doula and told her. I've called my midwife and told her. I'm sick of being pregnant.
I walk and walk out with the kids looking for candy. I scare the guys away, and still no baby...
November 3rd
12:25 PM
My doula calls to tell me how the rest of her day looks. And to ask, "Do I think it will be tonight?" If not she'd like to go to a meeting and I won't be able to reach her during that time. I assure her I have long labors and that a few hours at a meeting would never matter. "Go," I say.
3:45 PM
"I think this is it," I say to Kevin. He thinks he will take a quick nap in case! I say that's fine. I meander around and play on the computer. I finally decide to take a bath. I'm feeling rather overwhelmed by being alone.
As I pour water over my belly, I realize I feel lonely and frightened. I say to myself, "I'm a doula so that women don't have to be alone in labor, and I'm alone in labor!"
I go to wake Kevin up.
7:33 PM
At this point I'm not sure who called my midwife, but I'm glad she's there. She's just determined I'm 8 centimeters dilated! It won't be much longer. Despite our plans for a long labor we're wrong!
Kevin calls everyone, even our doula though chances are she won't make it.
8:04 PM
Eve walks in the door. She ran home to get something and her husband told her Kevin had called. She came straight away.
