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VBAC
Week by Week
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A Doula's Perspective
by Whitney Akin
2:00 a.m., the doula answers shortly after the first ring. Still
partially asleep she encourages the laboring woman while quickly dressing.
She knows by instinct that this is it, another labor but not just another
job.
The doula is out the door within five minutes of the 2:00 a.m. phone call.
Into the car and keys into the ignition, and then she remembers that she
forgot to brush her teeth. So after a quick trip back inside she is on her
way.
The drive to the hospital takes 45 minutes. While driving the doula
starts reviewing all that she has learned about this mother and thinking
though the best ways to help her. She remembers something funny about one
of their previous conversations, and giggles. The car quickly feels with
silence again as the doula gears up for another birth She goes over each
labor position and its benefits, she goes over the birth plan in her mind,
remembering the most important things to the family.
As the doula pulls into the hospital parking lot, she glances into the
mirror and realizes how tired she looks, so with a quick brush of the hair
she is off. Off to attend another birth, not knowing how long she will be
there, how long until the next meal, or when she will have another chance to
go to the bathroom. But it is worth it, especially the first time that wee
baby cries and the doula sees the tears of joy in the mothers eyes. Each
birth is a memory the doula will treasure for the rest of her life. What a
privilege to be a part of something so beautiful.
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