Another VBAC -- Repeat Client

My first repeat client! And she had a VBAC which is so so so lovely. That was my 2nd birth of the week and I am frankly still exhausted from all the working. I feel a little burned out and I was missing my family a lot.

About that VBAC Calculator

Last year I wrote about a VBAC Calculator. I know that it uses evidence-based research, and the VBA2C mom I attended this week did use the score from the calculator as a piece of the picture when she was making her decision to VBAC or to have a repeat C-section.

But her score was not high. In fact, it was low.

And she had a perfectly normal, healthy birth.

I really do understand that statistics is a very important part of health care. I know that it makes me batty when I hear people, when presented with a large study about the benefits of breastfeeding say, "OK well I formula fed my child and he's absolutely perfect!" Because I know that that's not what the study was saying! I guess my point is, this can be an example of a family consulting with and gathering input from their birth team of ob/gyns, midwives, and her doula (hi!!!), and making a decision that they felt would give them the best chance of a positive, healthy outcome.

a few firsts today!

In the past 12 hours I have had 2 doula "firsts."

#1 -- helping welcome a little girl into the world as her mom had a VBA2C! My first vaginal birth after cesarean that I've attended as a doula.... and this is after 2 cesareans to boot! You're an AWESOME mama, A., and welcome to the world Baby S.!!!

and #2 -- my first time as a doula who has been recommended by a past client. What a special honor!

Not a bad half day or so on the doula front!

New clients, happy days

I had the pleasure of attending a truly beautiful birth in a room that was simply bathed in love, on the day before the winter solstice. In the first half of the new year, I will be attending three births as well. Very excited about working more consistently now that the kids are getting to be older!

Doula Logistics....

... the child care edition.

This is definitely my biggest challenge, the part I hate. Who will watch the kids?

I'm very lucky that my husband works from home so if he's in town, it's an easy question to answer.

But... sometimes he travels. For work, for church, for fun.

He's traveling twice this month. I have a potential client who could deliver while he is gone.

So, the child care hunt begins. Who will be able to pick up the kids from school if I get a call at noon? Will that person have the proper car seats? Will the kids wig out if someone they don't know very well is there to take care of them? Will that person charge a high (if fair) price to watch all 3 kids that, if the birth goes for the typical 12-18 hours, will make it unprofitable for me to attend the birth? I love my job and if love would pay mortgages and childcare providers, I wouldn't mind!

The "Emergency" C-Section

A friend found this at: http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2010/08/csection.html



One part that made me laugh out loud is the description of a doula.... and the end!

Meet The Doula Night

Expecting in Pittsburgh?
Come to Heart and Hands Doula Service's Meet the Doula Night,
TONIGHT, Sept 14th
7 – 8 pm at the Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh 4070 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh 15217.

I'm the hostess (yes, with the mostest) and I can vouch for the deliciousness of the light refreshments.