Thursday, November 15, 2007

I doula, you doula, we doula

I haven't posted about this very much but I have been trying for a while now to find a doula to attend the baby's birth. I've had zero luck for a long time. There aren't a whole lot of doulas in my area and the ones I've been able to track down have all turned me down. Several have refused because I am working with a gay couple. A few have refused because I'm not willing to commit 100% to a medication free birth. I was pretty sure that I had exhausted every avenue availible to me but then something really great happened.

On the day I was supposed to have my 24 week ob check up I got a call from my doctors office telling me that my doctor was way overbooked for the day and asking if I would mind seeing a certified nurse midwife instead. I agreed and I'm so glad that I did.

The nurse midwife was awesome. You know how sometimes you meet someone and you just click right away? It was like that with her. We talked about everything pregnancy and birth related and in the course of the conversation I told her about my difficulity in finding a doula and she told me that she had been a doula before she became a midwife. Before I left the office she gave me a list of a couple of places where I might be able to track a doula down. I was glad for the suggestion but as I was leaving I thought "She's the one I really want as a doula!"

I thought about it for a few days and decided to just go ahead and call her at the office and ask her to be my doula. She called me back yesterday and said "I'm so glad you called! When you left the other day I was thinking 'I would love to be at that birth!'"

Hooray! I found my doula! After searching all over Minnesota I finailly found her in my own doctor's office. I'm so happy! (Can you tell?) I feel like this is such a big weight off of my shoulders. The next big step will be at 28 weeks when I go to the hospital to meet with someone to discuss my birth plan. Hope they don't mind me bringing a whole crowd of people along!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jen,I am so happy for you!! Good things come to those who wait!! It's wonderful to meet someone and immediate rapport. I'm so glad that were both having those same thoughts. It was meant to be. Good luck with the Realtor. Have you considered reporting the drug dealers to the police?? I don't like the thought of them being so close to you. Love to all, Grandma Judy

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love what you are doing.

You are like this couple's dream come true..So selfless, so giving.

I admire you Woman.

OhTheJoys said...

Congratulations! I'm so in awe of what you are doing.

Al said...

congratulations! I am so glad you found someone so close by, who is excited to be there and be a part of everything! I <3 doulas :)

Kelly said...

That is wonderful that you have found someone! I always wanted a doula, but never managed to look hard enough to find one.

Anonymous said...

Jen, you're amazing. I am happy for you to have found THE doula to help you through the birth. I'd love to see you and your entourage. :)

StickyKeys said...

Refresh me again, what's a Doulah? I'm guessing it has nothing to do with Hickadoola...

Jen said...

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Sticky- A doula is a proffesional labor suppot person. She's there to help labor along and to help me be comfortable. Doula is also when you're at the beach holding hands with your best girl.