Question/advice

jesscardona · 08-16-2006, 08:54 AM

I need some advice:

I have a mom who's EDD is 9/2 but she's already 1cm dilated but her cervix is still to thick and was told by her OB that next monday they were going to check her cervix and if it was in condition they will induce.

My question is since she is dilating should I be on call for her, since I do it 2 weeks before the EDD?

The reason for induction is her husband will be deployed on the 28th from VA. and (she's in GA) she would like for him to be here for the birth, but if possible she doesn't want the induction she wants a natural birth.

doula Michele · 08-16-2006, 09:17 AM

i don't know..I always feel that I am pretty much on call for them from the day they hire me.

They call with questions..etc. During the last month, if I am leaving town, I always plan with them in mind. I will call and check in, and let them know my plans. And make sure they have nothing odd going on.

1cm, is really not much to worry about. Lots of my clients walk around 2-3 cms for weeks before labour. There again, I don't put my life on hold. But I always plan with them in mind.

Michele

jesscardona · 08-16-2006, 09:33 AM

well yeah, I know and I always have my cell phone on except when I go to sleep, and I do know that 1cm is really nothing..

doula Michele · 08-16-2006, 09:39 AM

Your good then..as long as she can get a hold of you. But if she is first time mom with a thick cervix, it will be a while.

Michele

jesscardona · 08-16-2006, 09:40 AM

no, 2nd time..

MamaAshley · 08-16-2006, 09:55 AM

If her cervix is still thick she could go on like that for months! Why would they want to induce her this soon? With a thick cervix being dialated doesn't really change much from what i've seen, but I gues you never know! I wouldn't change your contract for her or anything, just have your cell phone and stuff around in case...good luck!

AmandaB · 08-16-2006, 10:20 AM

I tell clients and it is on my contract that I am available to them 24 hrs a day 7 days a week from the time they hire me until they are in labour (and then I am with them of course).

I would turn my cellphone at night time! You never know when it could happen. I would never just assume that 1cm is nothing, especially in a 2nd time mom. Just my 2 cents.

jesscardona · 08-16-2006, 10:24 AM

Thanks Amanda

doula Michele · 08-16-2006, 10:33 AM

They all ways have my home # to call at night. I give them my home phone and my cell number.
This seeems to put moms at ease, the biggest fear is that they can't get ahold of me.
My family is used to the phone ringing at 2am.
Michele

tlcdoula · 08-16-2006, 06:33 PM

I don't understand why you wouldn't be on call for them? What would you do differently if you were on call versus not being on call?

The way I see it is that I am on call for my clients from day one. The only exception would be if I am going out of town, but then I let every single client know this before their hire me even if I am going out of town when they were five months pregnant.

MothertheMother · 08-16-2006, 08:04 PM

I let mamas know that if something happens before the 2 week mark that I will still be available to them but it might take a little longer for me to get there. That when they are in that window I will have childcare etc arranged so I can be by their side withing an hour or so of them calling me. So, I also feel I am always on call but let them know the difference...

DL · 08-16-2006, 09:51 PM

I don't consider myself "offically" on call until 38 weeks. The reason for this is that I live in the country, and it's nothing for me to drive over an hour to get to a particular store or visit my dad who is an hour away from me (and in the opposite direction from any of the hospitals that I would attend, putting me 1 1/2 - 2 hours from hospitals). When I am "officially" on-call starting at 38 weeks, I tell moms that I will not travel more than an hour's drive from the hospital (or her house for homebirths). I do, however, tell them that if they were to go into labor prior to that to please still call me as I always carry my cell phone with me. I will still come, but it may take me longer to get to her if I am visiting my dad, etc. I just couldn't always stay within an hour from mom and/or the hospitals. Two weeks on either side of her EDD is usually plenty long for me to feel confined to the local area.