It was a normal day at the hospital, sitting at the nurses desk writing my endless notes while my client laboured with my two doula support team. She was working hard and I could hear that things were progressing nicely.
The other delivery room was occupied by a labouring mom who was delivering with the Dr. Her labour was progressing well and it was clear to me that she was also close to delivery. The husband of the Dr's client was finding the going a bit tough, and rushed out to get himself something to drink and possibly go smoke a cigarette, not the greatest timing, but he didn't know that! The ward Midwife was doing her best to support the client while getting everything ready for the Dr to come and deliver the baby, but the client was actually labouring alone, it was intense and she was clearly struggling. I knew my client was completely supported by her two doulas in my team, the contrast between my client and what was happening in the other delivery room was stark, and felt so wrong. I really could bear it no longer, and left the nurses station to go and help her, holding her hand and telling her, "we are going to breathe this through together". She was able to find her rhythm and to focus her efforts on birthing her baby. She held my hand tight as I assumed the unfamiliar role of the Doula. She was not letting me go for anything! Dr arrived and did a beautiful hands off natural birth, the baby almost arrived with membranes intact, or "in the cowl" as they say. Waters broke as the babies head birthed. It was a beautiful birth, and I was, to my surprise, quite a good Doula!
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After a very long wait for their baby to put in an appearance, it became very clear to me that this was always going to be a very special Heritage Day baby. 42 weeks and one day and perfectly on time.
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AuthorCheryl Rowe - Midwife Archives
May 2023
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