more on birth

[snugglekitty]

So, yesterday when I stopped by the Diesel, I mentioned to sunspiral that I had attended my first birth. He asked, "What did you do?" I don't think I gave a very good answer, so I thought I would write about it some more here. This isn't everything that a doula could do, just the things that I did this time.

- Reiki. Oh my goddess reiki. Continuous energy flow for seven hours, which I think is a personal record for me.
- A lot of reassuring touch - on the back, on the arms and hands, on the face and neck.
- Massage - the feet, the wrists, the hips, the back.
- Having mom push against my hands during contractions.
- Giving the mom ice and juice.
- Encouraging mom to make sounds and relax her jaw. (A loose mouth means a loose vagina. It really works that way.)
- Holding the mom up during contractions to take the pressure off her pelvis.
- Putting chapstick on the mom.
- Suggesting position changes.
- Encouraging mom, through touch, to relax various parts of her body.
- Telling mom she's doing great. Telling dad he's doing great too.
- Having mom physically lean on me for support while standing.
- Reminding mom to breathe deeply.
- Explaining terms used by the hospital staff to mom and dad.
- Supporting mom's legs so her pelvis can be open comfortably.
- Suggesting things dad can do to help mom feel more comfortable.
- Saying "Talk to your baby, your baby needs to hear your voice" after the birth. This is very reassuring to the baby and also helps brings the mom back down to earth from Labor-la-la-land.

Comments

Thanks...

[avivasedai.livejournal.com]

It's very interesting to me to see what you do. I'm glad it went so well.

[tigira.livejournal.com]

How much abuse from the mom did you have to take?
I don't know about others, but when someone gets too touchy-feely, or tries to be soothing when something is difficult, it tends to make me more testy.

[coraline]

A loose mouth means a loose vagina.

out of context, this makes me snicker :)

[dilletante.livejournal.com]

this is interesting to read! thank you for posting it...

also, congratulations on assisting your first birth!

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

If something changed for her quickly and what we were doing was no longer working, she would snap at us. She would stop as soon as we stopped whatever we were doing. But really, if it makes a mom feel better to yell at me, that's fine. I'm a tough cookie - I can take it. :)

We were basically taking our cues from her. This birth had a lot of touch, but I imagine others won't.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Heh. :)

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

You're welcome - and thank you!

[starphire.livejournal.com]

Wow. Obviously, a doula is cooler than a midwife. ;) I mean, our midwife was great, but she didn't do reiki or give foot massages!

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

It takes all kinds to have a baby. :) I don't do deliveries, so I guess it all works out.
Although, actually, if I ever do become a midwife, I'll still have those skills... :)

[cheekymama.livejournal.com]

WOW! It sounds like you had a great experience, and that you did an amazing job as a doula! I'm glad you posted this!