It had to happen some time, right? --2 Clients in Labor

[DoulaCBE]

So for the first time in my almost 7 year career, I had two clients in labor at the same time.

I had two couples due a week apart and wouldn't you know that both went post dates. While trying to induce the one due first (L O N G story) the other goes into labor on her own and ultimately they both end up delivering within 9 hours of each other.

I attended one birth, my backup the other.

Thankfully they live about 2 blocks away from each other and I plan to do a breastfeeding check on the couple whose birth I missed after I have my postpartum visit with the couple I attended, tomorrow.

I'm so sad to have missed the other couple's birth, but they had a wonderful doula and a great experience, and I can't feel bad about that at all. I also plan to attend the postpartum visit with my backup when she's ready.

Wow, what an adventure this past week has been.
They tried to induce my first couple with PGel on Saturday, nothing. Then planned a cervidil induction but switched to Pit and after 7 hours on pit and nothing happening, they switched back to cervidil over night. Then they started pit again that next afternoon an there was barely any detectable change with the cervidil overnight (in the meantime my clients snuck out of the hospital when they were supposed to go to the cafeteria for breakfast, to get acupuncture, a chiro adjustment and some GOOD breakfast) and she had the baby at 2:16AM the following morning (June 21).

Never before have I seen a woman so clearly demonstrate the power of the mind/body connection. She was terrified, and once contractions would become regular and strong, she'd stop them. She finally admitted her fear, allowed AROM and there was no turning back. In fact, after having a cervix with basically no change from the very start, after AROM and her resolve to have this baby she was in active labor in less than an hour, and fully dilated in less than 4. Then she sat at complete for 4 hours before a cesarean was mentioned then she pushed out that baby in an hour.

Oh the adventures of being a doula!!

[doula Michele]

Arg... sorry to hear that. I am sitting on pinns and needles too. I have one client 11 days over due, and one dues in 5 days.
I seriously thought i was safe by having one on the 12th and one on the 26!

[tlcdoula]

I am sorry that you missed a birth. It really is hard. I know that I haven't forgiven myself for missing a birth over 2 yrs ago (my back up did the birth). I still feel a tad bit guilty when I think about it and have to tell myself to let it go (I know the mother did LOL).

[fearlessbirth]

Wow, what a time!

I'm glad you had great backup and the mom was still happy with the services.

[Stacie]

Oh, you guys are making me nervous! I have a client due the 28th, and a client due July 10th. Chances are, the July 10 one will be induced this week; her first baby had shoulder dystocia and they broke his clavical to get him out -- then he got torticollis, would not breastfeed very well (especially on one side), and they went to formula before he was a month old (and she wants to breastfeed this time). her doctor actually offered a cesarean because of all of that, which she said no to, but she is going to allow an inuction because it helps her feel like it is something she can do to improve their outcome.

Anyway, I am worried they are going to go at about the same time!

Then on top of all of that, my dad, whom I have not seen since last May, decided he is coming for a visit for 4th of July from Arizona. He wants to take us all to Monterey, but if these babies are not born yet, I am going nowhere! Wish me luck!

I have had mamas go into labor back-to-back 3 times in the last 7 years -- I ended up exhausted, but the mamas were fine, and i didn't miss any births. The only two I have missed were precipitous (third babies, both of them!); one was even born in the car en route to the hospital, so everyone missed that but mom and dad, lol.

[tlcdoula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacie Oh, you guys are making me nervous! I have a client due the 28th, and a client due July 10th. Chances are, the July 10 one will be induced this week; her first baby had shoulder dystocia and they broke his clavical to get him out -- then he got torticollis, would not breastfeed very well (especially on one side), and they went to formula before he was a month old (and she wants to breastfeed this time). her doctor actually offered a cesarean because of all of that, which she said no to, but she is going to allow an inuction because it helps her feel like it is something she can do to improve their outcome. Anyway, I am worried they are going to go at about the same time! Then on top of all of that, my dad, whom I have not seen since last May, decided he is coming for a visit for 4th of July from Arizona. He wants to take us all to Monterey, but if these babies are not born yet, I am going nowhere! Wish me luck! I have had mamas go into labor back-to-back 3 times in the last 7 years -- I ended up exhausted, but the mamas were fine, and i didn't miss any births. The only two I have missed were precipitous (third babies, both of them!); one was even born in the car en route to the hospital, so everyone missed that but mom and dad, lol.

Good luck Stacie - I am also worried because I have a client due on the 19th, 20th and 26th and my regular back up leaves on the 27th. I am really hoping that the first two have birthed before then, but in any case I have talked with a few other doulas about doing back up while my back up is gone

[Mile High Doula]

Sorry you missed the birth. I know how that goes but it sounds like things went well.

Stacie - I PM'd you.