Working while pg?

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-09-2006, 10:54 AM

So, I was thinking about this and I want your all's input.

Those of us that are TTC or already pg, how is the emotional aspect of our jobs going to affect our pregnancies?
With Mallory I had Pre-e and my BP was usually through the roof. I'm thinking that if I still work while I am pregnant and emotional, I might get really miffed and not want to continue working till after the baby.
Since I really only have hosp clients here, how am I going to keep my emotions in check and not flip out if there is a trainwreck waiting to happen? That will surely make my BP rise!

K.. give me your thoughts and I really wanna here from those who have btdt!!

MyDoulaStacia · 08-09-2006, 11:11 AM

I only worked through my first trimester. I would have continued but we moved and by the time I got settled and the house under control I was in my 3rd trimester and felt too big and tired to doula.
It's a good question though Ashely. I look forward to hearing other responses.

gemasita · 08-09-2006, 11:13 AM

I'm interested too! I'm TTC my first and with the births I went to last week, I'm thinking there's NO WAY I can do birth while pregnant. It is often really traumatic for me to see hospital births. I need to take care of myself emotionally while pregnant.

I'm wondering how other people handle this. With this being my first, I don't want to set myself up for failure by seeing woman scream in pain. Granted, I will be AT HOME and using Hypnobabies so it WILL be different for me but it still effects me. Some of the things that happen in hospitals....yikes.

Little Blessings · 08-09-2006, 11:28 AM

I know that when I was pregnant with my second baby I worked right up to the Friday, and I went into labour on Sunday Morning. Mind you I was not a doula at that time I was running a daycare, taking care of 4 children all together. I really think it depends on you and how you feel about continuing to work. You just have to remember that you have to take care of yourself as well and not neglect things like keeping fluids in you and taking breaks when needed and eating and lets not forget the sleep to.

jesscardona · 08-09-2006, 11:37 AM

I don't think I could work while Im preg. either... if it's like my 1st preg. forget it... 1st. I was sick all the time... 2nd trim. I felt better but had problems with my heart rate.. and 3rd trim. I could barely walk b/c my pelvis was to painful for me to walk (I dont know why)

AmandaB · 08-09-2006, 11:50 AM

My hubbie and I have had this discussion off/on over the last year. I think I would work for as long as I could. You can always limit the number of clients you take, work with strong backup support so if you have to leave (i know, i know, continuous support. I think it would be ok if the clients knew in advance that there is a chance your backup would be coming in to help). I have friends that their Doula in a month behind them in pregnancy and they say she is doing fine and will be at their birth in a few weeks. I think it is all personal preference and if financially you can take that much time off, because you have to think you will need time off after the baby is born. I just know for me, I would love to go into a birth with clients pregnant as all get out, just to see the reactions of the medical staff.

MindOverLaborDoulas · 08-09-2006, 12:08 PM

Jamie.. haha I forgot that you are on here too, that's why I sent you the PM on the other board!!

I am really worried that my mouth will say things to the nurses or OBs like "I know that you won't try that shit with me" before I think!!

Not that I would say anything about my personal life in front of my client, but I mean out in the hallway or something.

And if something happens that I know doesn't need to be done, I will blow up!

That's why I wanted to know about you guys being a Doula while you are pregnant!

Jilian · 08-09-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amandoula1980

I think I would work for as long as I could. You can always limit the number of clients you take, work with strong backup support so if you have to leave (i know, i know, continuous support. I think it would be ok if the clients knew in advance that there is a chance your backup would be coming in to help). I have friends that their Doula in a month behind them in pregnancy and they say she is doing fine and will be at their birth in a few weeks. I think it is all personal preference and if financially you can take that much time off, because you have to think you will need time off after the baby is born. I just know for me, I would love to go into a birth with clients pregnant as all get out, just to see the reactions of the medical staff.

I agree. I would take clients up until I was about 6-7 mos pregnant. When I was preg with my son I started getting uncomfortable around 8 mos preg, so I couldn't imagine taking clients and standing for long periods of time being THAT pregnant. I'd be a little scared taking clients early because of morning sickness, but that is when a good backup would come in handy.

gemasita · 08-09-2006, 12:56 PM

Ha ha! Board crossing huh? Well, when you pm'ed, I thought I'd come here and respond too.

I'm not worried about doula'ing physically...I'm worried about it emotionally. Actually, I work full-time so I will continue that until I pop. So, ok, I guess the physical part is, can I handle a full-time job AND doula'ing. I doubt it. But even if I could, again, I'm more worried that I will suffer emotionally. I just really get traumatized sometimes!

I KWYM - who knows what you will do or say while pregnant. Sometimes the hormones take over, right? I could see myself flying off the handle or something.

Jilian · 08-09-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gemasita

I KWYM - who knows what you will do or say while pregnant. Sometimes the hormones take over, right? I could see myself flying off the handle or something.

At least you'd have an excuse - you're pregnant! We could be on to something here....I'd like to go back to the medwife while pregnant and tell her what I really thought about her injecting my client with meds without asking!

MsDoula · 08-09-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindOverLaborDoulas

With Mallory I had Pre-e and my BP was usually through the roof. I'm thinking that if I still work while I am pregnant and emotional, I might get really miffed and not want to continue working till after the baby. Since I really only have hosp clients here, how am I going to keep my emotions in check and not flip out if there is a trainwreck waiting to happen? That will surely make my BP rise!

I'm sure you know this, but i'm going to point it out anyway.

These issues are almost always nutrition related. Eat, breathe, and sleep Dr. Brewer.

I have doula'ed very late in two of my pregnancies. Up to within a few weeks of delivery. Of course, I get tired easier, but I don't think that is a bad thing. The reason I say that is because the tiredness does make me less likely to go off on medical staff.

I will say, though, that I have wished both timed I would have quit a little earlier in pregnancy.

If you do work at all while pregnant, you should do an immune system boost because pregnancy already puts stress on your immune system. Add in the physical draining birth puts on you and hospital germs and you have a scary combination.

RosyDoula · 08-09-2006, 02:38 PM

I usually feel really good during my pregnancies, so I would probably doula till I was 7 mos. Maybe less. Depends on how I feel. I like to take the last month or two off to relax and take care of me. Stress certainly doesn't help with labor.

tlcdoula · 08-09-2006, 04:53 PM

Well, I was not a doula when I was pregnant before, but with my other jobs I worked right up until the day I gave birth and then went back about two days later with a baby in my arms (well a sling LOL).

This time around I will most likely work until I give birth but will take 6-8 weeks off afterwards from doula work.

everydaymiracles · 08-09-2006, 09:55 PM

I attended my first 6 births while pregnant with #3. (We are actually pretty sure he was conceived while away at my doula training - and yes before ANYONE asks, my hubby and nursling joined me for the training - well they came in and out)

The fist birth I was about 11/12 weeks pregnant and I stupidly forgot to eat and drink as much as I needed to - shortly after the birth I went into the washroom to splash some water on my face and I nearly threw up! I was worried that those present would think I couldn't 'hack' being at a birth.

My last two births were back to back at 30 weeks. One was Sunday afternoon. Client called at noon in labour, called back at 2pm wanting me to join her, called back at 2.30 to say they were heading to the hospital and I arrived as she began pushing! When I got home an hour and a half for leaving - everyone asked if it was a false start! Nope. At 6am the next morning me other client called - joined her at the hospital at 8 and she had her baby midafternoon. When she first settled in to her room, her membranes ruptured. WHile she was in the washroom clearing up, the nurse cheerily came in 'So your water broke" and I laughe and said - well I wouldn't be this calm if it had - I;m the doula and am only 30 weeks pregnant - mum is in the washroom. We all had a little giggle about that one! This mum liked alot of adominal support/belly lifting while kneeling up over the end of the bed - I am glad that she was a second time mum and that I was only doing that for 3-4hours! I was wiped the rest of the week and was glad that I didn't have any other births scheduled!!

One other thing that is different and amazing while watching a women birth is the awe - "That's amazing - I can't believe that I did that, oh heck - I have to do that again!" lol! R