When a doula is pregnant....

Close2MyHeart · 02-26-2008, 12:17 PM

I just found out that baby #5 is on the way!

But I don't know what this means for my doula work. I still need one birth to be certified and have a few people 'thinking about it", but no leads yet. I'm just wondeirng if others have had to put their doula work on the back burner while pregnant & w/ a newborn at home.

MamaMichelle · 02-26-2008, 12:26 PM

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have an almost 4 month old nursling and although I've only attended one birth so far, I found this was the best time to become certified. I'm a true believer that whatever will be will be. When are you due?

amymaew · 02-26-2008, 12:32 PM

Congratulations! I'm due in July, and I'm taking my last client in June. She's a homebirth with my midwives though, which is less stressful for *me* - hospital births I'll be finished with by May. I attended my first birth when Henry was 7 months old - he was nursing, but going longer and eating some table foods then. But, it's different for everyone when they leave their babes

When are you due? You should join the alldoulas club - there's a pregnant members forum in there!

doulafava · 02-26-2008, 04:19 PM

I am 22 weeks with number 2. I thought I was done with hospital births, but was just contacted by an acquaintance for April and may take her on. I have had a little run of fast and easy hospital births, but I've had many 24+ hour labors in the hospital - I have to assume they will all be like that. I'm not sure how well I can personally handle that amount of stress on my body near my due date. However, I am attending about 2-3 homebirths a month due right up to my due date, but for me, those are much easier.

I've discussed this a lot with my preceptor and if the baby is a quiet and easy one, I plan on going to a birth here and there and attending some prentals with the baby. I'll likely resume a full apprenticeship at 8 months post-partum and start taking hospital doula clients again at a year.

PBDS · 02-26-2008, 07:27 PM

Congratulations!!!!!! I hope you have a happy healthy pregnancy!!!
AMy

WisdomDoula · 04-07-2008, 04:21 PM

The main thing is to think about what you can handle. Some pregnant doulas work until late in pregnancy, others stop sooner. My last client in my last pregnancy was due when I was about 28 weeks. Good thing she was my last. I started bleeding during that birth & ended up having my DS 2 weeks later. I had a placental abruption. It was the only birth I have had to leave.

L

DoulaMegz · 04-07-2008, 04:30 PM

I'm also expecting and I just plan to take clients until september (due in NOvember) since the only births I'll attend are hospital births. As I get farther along I plan to just tell clients that I will need to take breaks but will stay with them through transition and delivery. Just so they know that I need to rest in order to take care of me. I let all my clients know that I'm pregnant now just so they are aware in case I need a break unexpectedly.

Carry more food!

and congratulations on number 5!!!

doula Michele · 04-07-2008, 07:58 PM

My daughter is due at the end of July... and she is my back up doula until the end of June. (not sure what I do with my 4 July clients...) she plans on taking August off, and then she will take her own clients late August or September.

She lives about 2 minutes from us, so we will be her babysitters, and if i am gone to a birth, then grampa will be babysitting. She will also be bottlefeeding, so she won't have to worry about feeding.

Everyone will need to do what they feel comfortable with though..Good luck and congrads on #5. Busy house!

Close2MyHeart · 06-27-2008, 11:34 AM

Thanks Ladies

I haven't been around much as we've been so busy lately!

I'm due in October... and decided not to take any clients past the end of August/beginning of Sept because we also homeschool & I can only do so much, yk?

I also debated a long time about getting my own doula, but decided to just have my Mom & my best friend as well as DH as acting doulas

What do you other pregnant mamas plan to do about hiring/not hiring a doula?

LParks · 06-27-2008, 12:10 PM

I've wondered this too. We're ttc and I'm actually more worried about the beginning of the pregnancy than the end. I'm worried I'll get pg and already have births scheduled. I got REALLY sick with dd and not sure how I'll be able to handle births. I was sick from like 6 wks to like 20 wks. So, we'll see.

DoulaMegz · 06-27-2008, 01:00 PM

I hired a doula, even though I am a doula and have a good idea about how to go about this whole thing, I've never had a baby. Attending a birth and GIVING birth are probably different things, so I got a doula. Also I don't want my DH flipping out, trying to read monitors and asking me "IS THAT NORMAL!?" every five minutes, so the doula is also for him.

Cherylkind · 06-27-2008, 05:51 PM

I'm ttc as well- and super nervous! There is a chance I'll be put on bedrest--- so that scares me lots...

I'm definatly going to classes and hiring a doula- somewhat for me, but lots for my DH too. also- I'm a sissy, but hell-bent on a natural homebirth, so I know I'll need the doula!

DoulaMegz · 06-27-2008, 06:20 PM

on the sissy thing!

We all know it hurts, but those of us without babies...don't know just how much!

Close2MyHeart · 06-28-2008, 09:01 AM

Even those of us WITH babies know that each and every birth is diffierent even for the same woman. Some almost painless, some w/ a lot of pain. I've been through vaginal births 3 times and c/s once & I'm a little nervous going into this birth not knowing how it will be exactly.

heart2heartbirthmatters · 07-12-2008, 07:36 AM

How's your pregnancy going? Of COARSE you need a doula!! You ARE a doula...EVERYBODY needs a doula!! You DESERVE a doula... friends are great, husbands are necessary and desireable and everything wonderful but a DOULA??? You GOTTA have a doula for both you & hubby!! Now if your friend were a doula, now THAT would be the BEST!! Maybe you should just train her then you'll have the best of both worlds...