New to the board

newbirth · 05-17-2006, 02:56 PM

I just registered and thought I'd take a moment to introduce myself. I took my ALACE training several years ago, but have not been in the place to actually start a LA business until now. I will be assisting another doula with a birth in July, and then I'll be looking for my own clients.

I have 5 children. First was a planned hospital birth. I was very young, very naive. It wasn't a horrible birth, it was a hospital birth. I ended up with an infection, I believe due to the internal monitor. After that experience I recalled reading a short article in some magazine about a woman who had her baby at home, and began researching home birth.

Second baby was a planned home birth. Her position was unusual, an asynclitic ROT, which made pushing very difficult. During this pregnancy, I realized my calling to be a midwife. Shortly after my daughter's birth I began assisting the midwife with prenatals and a birth. After several months of observing her practice, I was becoming increasingly concerned over the way she assessed, or rather didn't, risk. I ended my relationship with her deciding to wait until the appropriate time and opportunity to continue pursuing my goals.

Child #3 ended up in a transport, though not an emergency. He was a large baby (10# 14oz.), and I began pushing on an undiscovered lip. By the time the midwife (another midwife) checked, it was swollen and we couldn't get it to retract. After seven hours of pushing at home, I finally made the call to transport. I had a shot of meds injected into the epidural space so I could stop pushing and allow the lip to unswell. After two hours rest, I was able to squat and deliver my son, and then we left several hours later.

#4 was an unassisted birth. Dh caught. It was a wonderfully uncomplicated three hour labor, with only three pushes. I needed that unassisted birth to reclaim my ability to trust my body's ability to birth well. I knew that if I had listened to my own intuition instead of pushing when the midwife directed last birth, I would prevent the problems that had occured.

#5 was born this past January. Dh and I decided that we didn't want to birth unassisted again. I'd learned the lesson I needed, and wanted to have someone there to support both of us. My doula from birth #3 had moved and we'd started a new doula group. There I met a recently certified midwife with whom I felt comfortable, so we hired her for the birth. I am very pleased with her skill, her manner, and the birth we achieved together. For the first time I was only a couple days over my due date instead of two weeks, which was surprising. So this was my smallest baby at 8#2 oz. He's since plumped up quite well.

So, that's basically my journey so far. I have attended one birth with the midwife I ceased working with. My goal as a labor assistant is to learn to help other's achieve their goals in the hospital setting, so that as a midwife, I will have skills I can use during the eventual transport. After I get my feet wet, I'll offer myself as an assistant to my last midwife. We'd already discussed this as an eventuality during my pregnancy.

Kalamazoo Doula · 05-17-2006, 05:03 PM

Welcome Bekah! Thanks for sharing your awesome stories! I can't wait to get to 'know' you better! LOL

newbirth · 05-17-2006, 05:59 PM

Thank you, Erin. I look forward to getting to know you as well.

DL · 05-17-2006, 06:04 PM

Bekah!

I'm Lori, a Certified Labor Doula through CAPPA. I live in Ohio with my dh of 19 yrs and two teenaged sons. I've been doulaing for 3 years.

I loved reading about your birth experiences and am so glad that you've decided to join us! Welcome to the group!

I look forward to reading more of your posts. Jump right in!

newbirth · 05-17-2006, 06:17 PM

Thank you, Lori! This looks like a warm and friendly place.

MothertheMother · 05-17-2006, 06:31 PM

Welcome to the board! And thanks for the lengthy introduction. I was a great read!

newbirth · 05-17-2006, 06:50 PM

Thanks Christy!

MyDoulaStacia · 05-17-2006, 09:55 PM

Bekah, I enjoyed reading your story.
I am a birth and postpartum doula since 1996.
I hope you enjoy this fourm. I look forward to hearing more from you!
~Stacia

moncton doula · 05-18-2006, 06:19 AM

Bekah, welcome to the boards! I am a DONA certified birth doula and the mom of 2 toddler boys.

Tashina Marker · 05-18-2006, 09:29 AM

Hi Bekah! WELCOME! MY name is Tashina & I am a 20 yr old ALACE trained doula.I am working towards certification,but having a tough time with getting births.I pursued being a doula at almost 18.I have been interested in birth since witnessing the homebirth of my 1st sister at age 7.I have since witnesssed 2 others at ages 11 & 18, & will soon witness my last siblings birth in Oct.Hopefully it's a boy this time! I too want to become a midwife that is my ultimate goal,now if I get there is up to God

Tiffany · 05-18-2006, 10:00 AM

Hi Bekah, welcome to alldoulas!

I am a DONA trained doula (2002) and mom to two girls, currently pg with girl #3. Your birth experiences were very unique and interesting! What a difference each birth can be. I hope you find good information and guidance here as you start your business. I am also the admin of alldoulas so let me know if you have any suggestions, comments or questions!

Hope to see you around more.

fearlessbirth · 05-18-2006, 11:11 AM

Hi, Bekah!

I'm Cathy from FL and was just completed my training through DONA in February. I've attended 1 birth towards my cert so far and will attend another tonight, another next week and have 2 more due over the summer. I am VERY excited to have found and to be pursuing my calling. I'm also working towards beginning my ppdoula training/certification. And I'm an aspiring midwife (which probably won't be for a few years but it's nice to mention).

I look forward to chatting with you and hope you find yourself at home!

newbirth · 05-18-2006, 01:07 PM

Thank you all for the warm welcome! Tashina, I think I 'know' you from Hismidwives, although I'm not very vocal on that list.