Does your body crash after a birth?

Tiffany · 08-12-2005, 10:36 AM

Mine does.

It's been over a year since my last few births and I used to get sick the minute I walked out of the hospital door. For some reason I would get a virus.. a total throat and sinus cold that would wipe me out for weeks. My yoga teacher told me it can happen when you get into high stress situations and when the immune system is weak from lack of nourishment, rest, etc.

I definately have to learn to pack more in my doula bag, especially nourishing foods. She recommended I start a preparation ritual that prepares my mind and body for an upcoming birth.

Does anyone else have to do something like this? Do I just not have enough stamina? I worry about that sometimes. I'm going to try some preparation for my next client so it's not such a shock to my body. What do you do to prepare for a birth?

~Tranquility~Doula · 08-12-2005, 11:38 AM

I got sooo sick immediately after a birth once. I was with mom with 27 hours. I was exhausted and hungry. I got a terrible cold and lost my voice. I just felt like I got hit by a truck. I had to call my dh from the hospital and ask him to pick me up because there was no way I could drive home.

I try to nap everyday when it comes closer to a client's due date but that isn't always possible with the kids. I've been thinking about getting some Rescue Remedy and taking that before and after a birth.

raspberrymoondoula · 08-12-2005, 01:13 PM

i dont get sick sick but i crash physically and emotionally. the last birth i attended went on for 4 1/2 days and i think i came home and slept for a week after that lol

1stimestar · 08-12-2005, 02:08 PM

I normally take a recovery day to rest up, especially if it was a long birth. I try to stop at Subway on my way home and get a nice sandwhich (protien, carbs, veggies). Then too, I really try to make sure that I am drinking enough water during the labor as I tend to dehydration really easily. It is easy to neglect ourselves while we are so involved in caring for someone else so intensely. We must not forget to doula thyselves though as that is a quick road to burnout. Also keep in mind that if you are in the hospital, that is where the germs are, easy to pick up. I'm a slight germaphobe so never use handrails, elevator buttons (hit with elbow/knuckle of if there is someone else on I'll ask them to hit the floor I need). Also while in a hospital I wash my hands as close to every hour as I can. My longest birth was 41 hours. It took me a dang week to recover from that one!

08-12-2005, 06:22 PM

Just reading through the threads. It's so amazing to hear the point of view of a doula. It's a beautiful thing that you do.
Certainly not to cut down nurses, because as you know I am one. But we are so medically oriented sometimes and trained to death about med errors, and watching your back and following hospital protocols etc.. The list is far to long. I think that all OB nurses got into it for the right reasons and then got sucked into a protocol of some sort ya know?
It almost makes you too afraid to practice the way you really want to.
I love the doula perspective. I think I can learn a lot from all of you.As long as I ditch the medical brain

raspberrymoondoula · 08-12-2005, 06:27 PM

i have a good friend who's an OB nurse and is struggling with the same issues you are, if you'd like me to put you in touch with her PM me an i'll give you her info i'm sure she'd love to talk with you.

08-13-2005, 10:27 AM

I just gave you a private message. Please excuse my ignorance. I'm still getting used to the way things go around here. I'll be out for a while today but feel free to e-mail. Thanks again !!

Matrescence · 08-15-2005, 11:05 AM

YES! LoL... and I always wondered if others did too...

The other weird thing is if I'm not feeling so hot just before a birth I notice that I feel super charged during :dunno

1stimestar · 08-15-2005, 01:47 PM

And egads, If I am anywhere near starting my period when I go to a birth, I end up starting THEN. I guess I am really suseptable to birthing pheremones lol.

MyDoulaStacia · 08-04-2006, 06:24 PM

Guys I am seriously getting old!
I just did a birth and it wiped me out.

It wasn't a long one either. I got there at 6:45pm and was back home at 9:00am.
I fell asleep the minute that I got home. Woke at 12 to try and clean the house since company was coming and my head was pounding! Went and fell right back into bed and the kids tried waking me at 2 and then 3. I finally crawled out of bed at 4 since company was coming at 4:30.
I had a headache until right before bed, yes I was able to sleep again that night. I went to bed at 12:00 and woke up with the alarm at 7:00am.

When we had our discussion about how many births a month I said up to 4 ,but if I am going to be such a wimp I can't handle any more than 2 a month!
How do births effect you all? I used to do 36 hour births no problem. See what happens when you take time off!

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-04-2006, 06:32 PM

Stacia~
I am the same way!!! They totally wipe me out every single time! It doesn't matter how long I am there!
The hosp always makes me sleepy for some reason! I think they put Ambien in the vent system or something! It's like going to dh's aunt's house, the minute you walk in there you are starving!

tlcdoula · 08-04-2006, 07:14 PM

It really depends on how much I had to do and how many hours since I have slept. I think the hard births are those that start after you have been up all day long.

heathenmamaof5 · 08-04-2006, 07:16 PM

Oh my Gosh, not me! I get such a "high" that I have to come down before I can go to sleep! Must be that birth junkie thing.

Kalamazoo Doula · 08-04-2006, 07:26 PM

I'm the same way as Jill! But you may also say that it is just because I'm 27! LOL The only one that really wiped me was the gal that labored for four days! Four days! This was my first, non-family birth and second birth other than my own babies! I went home and had a good coma! LOL But mostly I have a hard time releasing the adrenalin after a birth

. I usually have to sit and un-wind before I can go to sleep

! I do find that if I go to a birth while I'm menstrating, I don't have as much energy.

MothertheMother · 08-04-2006, 08:40 PM

I fall out after a birth and I have only done a few. I think the rush is too much for me and I just crash after. I also get a little icky in the tummy about the time mom is breastfeeding etc and the huge excitment is calming down. I can feel the adrenaline slowing down lol