Always a blessing...what I remember about my first DOULA birth..

In 2000, I attended my FIRST birth as a doula....

The weekend before, I was actually called to be a back up while she was away (and was thrilled) by a local doula--
We all made it through the weekend withOUT the mom going into labor.  I felt let down...
I had wanted to go so badly!

I was surprised by a call in the middle of the night...out of the blue...the other doula, A, called me asking me if I would like to meet her up at CGH to doula with her!  DOULA WITH?  Wow...of course I would!
I arrived before A, and I remember feeling nervous...I had my little doula bag, tried to remember everything I had learned and experienced as a mom of five in labor and delivery.
When A came, and the mom was in the bathroom, the midwife came in too, so A took me around, showing me all the little ins and outs of the hospital birth setting.  She showed me what was in her doula bag, what she thought was important etc etc. 
A stepped back and let me DOULA.  The mom was delivering her 3rd baby...what an honor!
At one point, she grabbed my hair, which I had NOT worn UP, and said, "HOW did YOU do THIS FIVE TIMES??????!!!!!!!"
I remember thinking, "What should I do?"  Instantly my instincts took over.... I held her face, talked her out of her panic and down into her birthing body, so she could again surrender to what her body was trying to do...
Beautiful baby girl was born shortly after. 
Thank you, A, for believing in me...

Thank you, God, for giving me this gift....

What did I learn on my FIRST birth as a doula?
NOT to forget hair TIES for MYSELF!!

NEW puppy coming!

Well it's September, my monthly post....
been so busy with kids getting ready and off to school, getting used to routine, Fall baseball, running club, soccer, and incorporating teaching 7th and 12th health as a volunteer at the school where my kids go.  Interesting, to say the least.

The most exciting piece of news is that our puppy is finally ready to COME home!  TANK will be going to his first vet visit tomorrow and probably be coming HOME on Friday.  He is just about 7 weeks old.  He is eating and drinking on his own.  We went to buy the puppy essentials, gave the crate to Alice, the mama's owner, and she is preparing herself for their departure.  She is already crying and I am sure I will cry along with her Friday.

Worked with a homebirthing midwife last month.  Beautiful baby boy born in the pool with all of the other siblings around.  Totally amazing.  THAT is what birthing is...


Amazing vbac with midwife here in Syracuse this past month.  The mom loved to squat during the birth so I quickly went to get a birthing stool when she started laboring down and there she sat delivered her baby right into her arms.  The doc came in ready to move her to the bed before she had the stronger urges, the the midwife said, NO, no, its fine, I will just sit on the floor and deliver the baby this way!
I hadn't seen that done since I had MY 4th in 1998.  I labored with her in the tub at the birthing center til I felt the urge to push, waddled over to the birthing stool and with my midwife sitting on the floor basically watching, I reached down and grabbed her up onto my chest.  My husband was totally in awe (it was HIS first baby).  He got the f ull experience...of a true natural uneventful labor.