A Look Back: 5 Years of Doula Support

Well, my family and I just moved out of the first (and only!) home we've shared together.  It was bittersweet.  We are ready for the next chapter in our lives, but that doesn't necessarily make leaving our house easy.  My husband poked fun as I got all teary-eyed walking through the empty space one last time.

As I was unpacking our things in our new space, I came across ALL of my files from the families I've served.  I won't lie...I'm kind of a hoarder when it comes to these things.  But how could I not be?  The perinatal period is full of precious experiences.  So many first moments, and so often we find ourselves asking the question, "Is this normal?"  It's such a novel and exciting time.  

If we've worked together, you know how much I love to take notes at births.  More specifically, I enjoy jotting down special words and gestures that make the experience unique, and reading the details really took me back!  Still feeling very nostalgic from our move and here I was, crying again while skimming birth notes.  My life is richer because of the families I've worked with, and I will always give thanks for the time I've spent with them.  

Here are just a few notes I wrote down that made me smile:

• Partner paints pregnant mama's toenails
• Laboring mom and partner decide to go mall walking and buy a nice nightgown for mama
  
• Partner sees placenta and says that it looks like a jelly fish
• After delivering, mamas and partners say:
     "I love you.  You're perfect.  I've never seen a cuter baby!!"
     "I can't believe this is our baby!!!"
     "You're everything I've ever wanted!!"
• Older (and very adorable) siblings say:
     "I want to marry the baby when he grows up!!"
     "I've never had a baby brother before!!"
• During labor, mom states:
     "Better call the anesthesiologist, pronto!!"
• After getting an epidural:
     "You did exactly what I asked for on my birth plan.  Thank you."
• Mama connecting with baby in utero says:
     "We're doing this as a team."
• When asked when she'd like to leave the hospital, mom says:
     "Well, there's a big I.U. game on Tuesday." 
• Partner supports laboring mom and says:
     "Keep breathing.  Relax.  You can do this."
• Partner lovingly looks at mom and newborn and says:
     "Isn't she something?  I always knew she was strong."
  
  

Okay...is there a dry eye in the house?!!  These notes made me want to throw together a support bag and attend a birth ASAP.

What are some of your favorite moments leading up to labor and birth?  How did you feel holding your baby in your arms for the first time?  

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