My client was due Tuesday. This will be my first birth as doula/midwife assistant with the midwife that I used for my last two and am working as doula/asst./apprentice with. I also taught childbirth classes to the couple. So needless to say I REALLY want to attend this birth!!! The mw completely understands if I can't be there and I know the couple would too...so I'm not worried about that part of it. Also, if I miss this birth I'll have to wait until JUNE before I can submit my CBE certification paperwork.
Yesterday she had a bit of bloody show, a few cntx, and just didn't feel like being around people. But still no baby today. I just talked to the mw again and today Mama's had a little more bloody show and some cntx..nothing regular.
With tomorrow being Easter, I have NO childcare if she goes into labor in the middle of the night and labors into the day tomorrow!! My dh can get a ride to church to work (he's the sound guy) but my MIL can't watch the kids (especially since my dh has to be there way early and is getting a ride over there at 6am). If I can get thru tomorrow morning, after Noon I'll be to a point where I can leave for a birth.
I'm just SO nervous that she'll kick into labor and I won't be able to be there. Someone please remind me that everything will work out just fine!!
HEY! Everything will work out just fine!
No but seriously....everything happens for a reason
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This is where a babysitting network is good to have. Do you not have any friends or other doulas that could do in a pinch? Good luck.
Ummm....I do have a good babysitting network. But it's also Easter Sunday. Any other Sunday my dh wouldn't have to be there so early and my MIL could come over.
My MIL can't come over at 6am to sit with the kids.
The teen girl from our church that I have made arrangements with can't be here at 6am plus, her family will want her at church.
Another doula that could trade has her own family and can't be here at 6am and probably also wants to go to church.
The only other person I have who could babysit is the mw and well...that's obivously not an option.
Do others have more people than that to ask to babysit???
Oh, stink! I hope it all works out for you Heather.
I don't have near the childcare options that you have. I have a friend that lives 3 blocks away and another great friend (who's also a doula) about 1/2 hour away. That's it. If I find myself in a terrible bind DH can come home from work.
Easter Sunday makes it really rough. Maybe God will really want everyone in church tomorrow and help hold the baby in longer???? (I kid, I kid)
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I didn't mean it as a critisizm but as a point of empathy. Belive me, I don't have a dh or mil to babysit even when it is not a holiday so I know how difficult it can be to get someone to commit to being avialable for births around them. I do accept clients due around holidays because I know that I have childcare covered, even if it were Christmas morning. Can't one of those people take your children to church WITH them?
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Something that I've found helpful in the past was to network with another doula (or 2 or 5!) for childcare. Yep-that includes the holidays--Alternate with them. The more doulas you have, the less holidays each has to take. Yeah, it might mean getting "stuck" with someone elses children on Christmas morning, but it also means that next Thanksgiving , your client will have a doula, and your kids will have a reliable sitter.
What has worked REALLY well for me at one point (before she moved away ) was to pair up with a Jewish doula-She'd take all the traditionally Christian holidays--Easter, Christmas, etc--and I'd take Purim, Passover, etc.
Good luck!
Kelly
PS-Don't be so worried that you end up losing sleep over it! Then when she does hold out till monday afternoon, you'll be exhausted.
Georganne ~ My MIL doesn't have room in her sedan for her, FIL and four children (1 high back convertible/booster and three booster seats). The other people don't have room in their vehicles for my four children + carseats AND their children. The teen I can call on has five brothers and sisters, my doula friend has two children, and the mw I work with has six children. Believe me, if there was something I could have worked out...I would have done it.
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Don't be so worried that you end up losing sleep over it!
I'm so happy to hear that she didn't go into labor yet. I hope all goes well and you get to attend the birth. It sounds like it will be soon, keep us updated and good luck!!
Someone please remind me that everything will work out just fine!! 
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