|
KEIRA RUTHANN
My name is Christy and I delivered my second child, July 2005.
This was the first time using a Doula. My experience with my doula was great; I would recommend a doula to anyone! I didn’t use pain medications or epidurals with my first or my second labor.
With my first child (because you don’t know any better) I went to the hospital, was hooked up to monitors, and was in bed until I delivered. This baby came so fast for any interventions to happen – I went from 2 cm to 9cm in 45 minutes, this baby was 8lbs 14oz and 20 ¼” long.
My second child was born in a smaller hospital, which was more personal and rewarding. I wanted to have a water birth so I inquired about a doula. Both Dr and hospital staff we game for the experience though. Six days before I delivered I was told that I could not have a water birth, due to no experience from either the Dr or the hospital (liability issues), so another land birth for my second child. She is a herbal baby so I was determined to refuse all medications for the both of us. After submitting a detailed birth plan (doulas suggestion), the OB department at the hospital was excellent at following my wishes. So, do to the fact that my baby gaining weight so fast, the doctor decided to induce my labor, by breaking my water. This is where my doula was a blessing. I labored on the ball for a while with me saying, “this pressure really smarts” and then the doula saying, “this is a good kind of hurt with a smile.” When the doula felt I was progressing enough, we went to the shower, (we sang in there to the baby and rode the waves, ha! ha!). By the time I was through with the shower, my contractions were continuous. I was at a +3, walking and singing to the labor room, dangling from my doula shoulders thru each contraction. My doula kept me focused, with singing to my baby and riding the waves of contraction. Within a total of two hours of hard labor my baby was born, with lights low she came into the world in a calm setting. She was 8lbs 8oz and 21” long. She was very alert for four hours before going to sleep. Her brother, who is 4, was there and witnessed the whole process and thinks his sister is the best. I feel that having a doula by my side kept me focused. She was very reassuring through the contractions, plus the benefits of creating a new friendship. She gave me the insight to alternatives that conventional medicine would not have provided. I feel that the personal interaction with a doula should be every expectant mother experience, as I rate it far above the conventional experience. Should I be an expectant mother in the future, I will most certainly rely on my doula once again and hopefully the next time I will have my water birth!
|
