Five Things You Should Ask Before Hiring a Doula

By Rae Crawford, Certified Labor Doula

So you have decided you need a doula! What now? First things first, interviews! Each doula has different skills and services that they offer. One may offer a pre labor massage while the next may know how to use hypnobirthing. It is important that the doula you hire supports what you desire to have in your birth.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Running Doula

Posted by Kim:

My training and experience as a birth doula has helped me learn to provide continuous physical, emotional and informational support to my laboring moms, but the truth is each and every one of my clients does that same thing for me (whether they know or or not) every time I am out on a long run. OK, so they don’t technically provide me with any physical or informational support, but the truth is that thinking of my doula clients, remembering their labors and how amazing they each were keeps me going literally. When I feel like I am going to hit a wall and think I am about quit, I remember their labors, I think of how amazing they were, all that they went through, and it helps me put one foot in front of the other. I think if they can give birth, I can run a 10 short miles right?

It is at the point when I am near or am just about to splat straight into that wall during a run that I rely on the tricks of the doula trade. While keeping the end in mind and knowing how proud I will be of myself when I finish is always in the back of my mind, I instead try to primarily focus on short term goals, I break time down into mini milestones. For example, I will look for a street sign or a mailbox up ahead and I tell myself to just run to the point, and then reassess how I feel. When I reach my goal I say, well you made it that far, you can make it to the corner. It is the same thing that I try to do for my doula clients, one contraction at a time.

To read the rest of this post on Kim's other business website click here

Five Things Not to Say During Labor and Delivery

Found on the DadLabs website "Taking Back Paternity".



In this DadLabs video Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad discuss the five phrases Dads should never say in the labor and delivery room. These five phrases should be avoided at all cost during the birth of a baby. Starting with number 5, Is that normal? Never show fear in the delivery room, and always stay calm and collected with your pregnant wife. Number 4 is avoiding anything that involves my Mom says. While experiencing childbirth the last thing your wife wants to hear is any advise or anything to do with her mother-in-law. Number 3 is to ask, why is the birth in the metric system? Do the math yourself and keep irrellevant questions out of the birthing center. The number 2 things to avoid is saying "I'm not sure I'm ready for this." It's too late to make that decision, and the most important thing is to be supportive during the child birth process. The final thing, and most important to remember is to avoid saying anything like "toughen up" and/or "suck it up". Baby Delivery whether natural birth or through a cesarean section is a very difficult process. If you have any questions make sure to ask your doula or your midwife, and most of all be supportive through the pregnancy. The Lab Ep 528 brought to you by BabyBjorn.

Birth Story - Carri & Her Daughter's Birth

After a very long pregnancy (I think all pregnancies feel long, but number 4 felt extremely long!), my labor finally started. My water broke at 4 a.m. and regular contractions every 3-4 minutes apart started around 4:30. This labor was a bit more intense both because my water was broken and there was no cushion between the baby's head and my cervix, and because it was very fast. There is a lot a woman's body has to go through to have a baby - and to do so in less than three hours is intense! I think that I prefer fast over long! She was born at 6:55 a.m. at our home, in our bed and it could not have been more wonderful. The boys slept through all of it and came in right after she was born. I had planned on them being there, but I thought my moaning sounded like growling, and I was biting into my husband's shoulder, so I felt that letting them sleep would be better for everyone. The best things about home birth are that there is no rushing to get anywhere, everyone and everything was calm, no one asked me a million questions about my health, and the baby is examined and cared for with only peace and calm. I am so thankful that I chose to have this birth at home and was able to experience such a peaceful and beautiful birth.

And was it a boy or a girl you ask? We waited (and waited and waited!) and were SHOCKED to find that after 3 boys we had a GIRL! What a wonderful surprise and end to a perfect birth! I am overjoyed to have a daughter that I will be able to share my love of birth and the beauty of motherhood with.

Review - Baby Center

Hospital gowns: Fashion 101

As Posted by lindsay.weiss in Fashion & beauty, Labor & Delivery | December 5th, 2007 | Trackback

BabyCenter MOMformation

Just a few short months ago I had a beautiful baby boy. Now that I’m finally coming up for air, I decided to organize some pictures–starting chronologically with his birth. Herein lies the problem…there are no pictures of my hospital stay where I don’t look like a pale, washed-up bedsheet from 1975. Seriously, why doesn’t someone make a hospital gown in a flattering style and color? How about a few sparkles? Maybe a little satin or chenille accent? Something fun and feminine! I would pay a pretty penny to have some of these pics redone looking presentable.

Google to the rescue.

While these aren’t exactly what I was envisioning, they are much, much better than my wartorn bedsheet. DearJohnnies come in fun colors (think polka dots and stripes) and have matching bathrobes. Binsi scraps the gown altogether and goes for a comfy skirt and bra/tank combo that looks like real clothes. And RaspberryBee has a great line of Lilly Pullitzer gowns that incorporate Lilly’s signature pink and green colors.

Consider this my public service to the preggo-mama readers out there…ask someone to get you a cute gown (or whatever) for your birth. We buy dresses for all the other important days in our lives…proms, weddings, you name it–so why not get something you will look good in as you push that basketball out. (Sorry, can you tell it’s still a little fresh?)

Meanwhile, I’ll be here at my computer…Photoshop-ing my gown out of the 500 pictures we took that day.

Review - An Ordinary Life

Posted by Kim:

OMG! I'm Going To Give Birth

If you remember last week I shared a funny story of Del trying to help me “train” for labor. Him sitting on the edge of the couch grunting and growling, he really has no clue. As we get closer to the birth I am getting nervous, trying to replay my experience with Kai. Wondering if my gas is contractions, I’m overall paranoid.

Her birth was so easy, clearly I can’t have two easy births. I am lucky enough to be able to have help. Binsi stepped in and provided me with the most comfortable birthing outfit. The sporty skirt is perfect for laboring. It’s sporty and cute and I can even wear it now. It really allows me to move and bend with my ever growing belly. They also have these wonderful tops that allow the same freeing movement. They even work with any and all medical equipment and makes breastfeeding a breeze.

While I am paranoid and trying to plan everything in my head there's one thing I do know for sure. Forget the hospital gown I’m going all Binsi!

Pregnancy - Siblings at Births

Posted by Carri:

For this birth I am planning on having all 3 of my children present. My oldest son was there at the last birth and loved it. He was so cute that he immediately asked where the placenta was after the baby was born (my doctor noted that he was clearly the son of a birth doula). People tend to worry about how kids handle birth, but I found bringing Caden in right as the baby was crowning was perfect. He saw me a bit while I was laboring, but found that he would rather color out in the hall. He loved seeing the baby right away and was able to cut the cord. My second oldest is very excited that he will have the honor of cutting the cord this time.

I do think it is important to talk to your kids about labor and birth. I talk to them about what sounds women make while they labor, and that sometimes we cry, but that it is all for a good reason. We watch the video of them when they were born and talk about it as well. I think telling them ways they can help - if they want to - is also empowering to them. This time around, I'm glad that they can come and go as they please and just be there when they want. They will have plenty of people around to help them and keep an eye on them, so it will all work out fine. I also think it is very important to stress that they do not have to be present at the birth if they don't feel comfortable. Making it a choice, rather than a rule, helps bring the stress level down. Overall I hope it is a great experience for them and one they will remember forever.

On a quick side note, I think wearing BINSI skirts during your birth helps avoid some of the awkwardness of having older boy children (and other family members) in the room. I'm thankful my little skirt will make everyone feel more comfortable most importantly me!

Doula Digest - Writing a Birth Plan

Posted by Kim:

Birth Plans have become an important part of the birth experience. This is the time when you and your partner's most important wishes and concerns can be expressed to your doula, midwife, doctor, hospital staff and any family or friends who will be attending your birth. This document lets everyone know what you hope will or won't happen during your labor, birth and postpartum care. Be sure to give everyone a copy of your birth plan prior to your labor.

When writing your birth plan the two main points of advice that both Carri and I give our doula clients are

1) Write it in bullet point format
2) Try to make it no more than 5 main points.

I recommend that there can be 5 points in two different categories

1) Labor
2) Baby

Bullet points make it easier for everyone to read through your wishes quickly. If your birth plan is written in a long paragraph form it is difficult to get the gist of what your needs and wishes are and may not even be read, even if they have the best of intentions. Remember the staff and doctor may be caring for several laboring moms so you want to keep it easy and simple for the them. Plus this will also make it easier for your doula to quick reference your choices. The nurses really want to help you have the best birth experience as possible, but they are use to specific routines so they may do things out of this routine, not to go against your wishes. So having the easy bullet points helps to avoid confusion.

Items you may want to consider for your birth plan:

Labor

• Support People - Who will be with you in during your birth names of your birth partner, doula, allowed guests, whether or not you will be accepting guests
• What you would like to wear during your labor
  
• Vaginal Exams - preference to have exams only upon request
• IV - Preference to not have a continuous IV, but willingness to have a buff cap placed
• Urinary Catheter and Enema
  
• Induction - Use of pitocin during labor and delivery of the placenta
• Breaking the bag of water
  
• Pain medication - What methods of pain relief, if any would you consider? "Please do not recommend any method of pain relief unless I ask"
• Fetal monitoring - Prefer intermittent fetal monitoring vs continuous monitoring, would like to avoid internal monitoring
• Freedom to walk or eat and drink
  
• Labor Positions - Preferred positions, laboring in the water
  
• Labor Environment
• Preference to labor down before pushing
  
• Assisted Delivery - Preference to avoid the use of forceps or vacuum
• Preferred Pushing position - Squatting, in the tub/birth pool
• Partner to "catch" the baby
  
• Episiotomy
  
• Delay cord cutting until cord stops pulsating
• Partner to (or not to) cut the cord
  
• If stitching of perineum is required use of local anesthetic
• Placenta - would you like to keep it or have it disposed of in a particular way
  

If a cesarean section is required

• Partner present
• Epidural anesthesia if possible
• Breastfeeding in recovery room
• Partner to hold baby in delivery/operating room
  

Baby

• Baby to be placed on Mother's chest immediately after birth
• Perform all newborn physical exams and procedures while baby is with mother
  
• Baby to be rooming in with parents at all times
• Breastfeeding - use of supplemental formula feeding and/or water
  
• Preference regarding bottles, artificial nipples, pacifiers
  
• Eye ointment, Vitamin K shot
• Bath - do not remove vernix
• Clothing
  
• Vaccinations
• Circumcision
• Use of disposable vs cloth diapers
  

Ultimately your birth plan is your birth guide, a general outline of what your ideal birth scenario would be. But as we all know birth is a wonderful, beautiful, unpredictable experience and the need for everyone involved to be flexible is very important. However, in my opinion do not mistake flexibility with your ability to advocate for yourself and your baby. If at any time you feel pushed to make a decision before you feel comfortable with the results of that decision, don't be afraid to ask for time to consider your choices. It is your experience and ultimately your care and your baby's care should be a team approach between you and your care providers. That is why it is very important that you are well educated and you surround yourself with well educated birth partners so you can make informed decisions during your labor if questions arise.

Reviews - Grab Bag Reviews

Posted by Kim:

Reviewed by Heather at Grab Bag Reviews
Constructive Chaos

Another great review! Thanks Heather. Visit the Grab Bag Reviews blog, leave a comment about your favorite BINSI outfit and be entered to win a free skirt and top!

"When my water broke with my youngest, we were living about an hour away from the hospital. We grabbed our bags, dropped the oldest off at my mother-in-laws, and headed on our way. Of course, the first thing they had me do once I was checked in was disrobe and put on the hospital gown. YUCK! My labor never did start on it's own, and so, for 24 hours, I walked the halls of the labor and delivery ward, took the elevator up to the nursery for more walking, and then walked some more in my room. The whole time I was in that ghastly, ugly, completely uncomfortable hospital gown. If only I had known about Binsi birthing wear at the time!"

Birth Story - Kim's First Birth

Posted by Kim:

I have been promising my birth stories and after an aggravating, sweaty search for my birth journal I finally found it and will transcribe the words from the actual birth experience. I have been looking for a week and I was starting to get a little sick to my stomach because I thought I had the journal out since we have been in our new house, frankly I felt a little taste of vomit in the back of my throat for every day that went by and I couldn't find it. Never the less, I was successful and without any more pointless details about my search I will get to the story!!!

Look at this picture? If you ever wonder why we "invented" BINSI this is why. To say the least I am not looking like I am ready for the challenges of labor and birth. I look like someone stuffed into a sausage casing. Thank goodness I wore BINSI for my second birth

October 20, 2002

written by Paul (Daddy)

Today is the big day! We arrived at the hospital around 12:15pm to begin inducing the baby. We are inducing the baby because the baby is a little bit smaller than expected, but the baby is healthy [original due date 11/16/02]. The Doctor believes at this point the baby will grow better on the outside than inside [had an amnio the previous week and lungs are developed].

Our first nurse is Polly and she has been wonderful. Our room number is 2010, pretty ironic since today is 10/20, we think it might be a sign that the baby will be born today (so naive we were). Also the Bills are beating the Dolphins 20-10, coincidence? The first thing Polly does is put Kim on the fetal monitor for about an hour while going through the formality of admission paperwork. During the course of conversation we find out that Polly is from Elmira, NY and that Kim and Polly share the same birthday. It seem that everyone has a NY connection.

At approximately 1:30pm Dr Finnegan arrives applies prostin gel to begin inducing the baby. Kim is about 1cm dilated, so we have a ways to go, but almost immediately after the gel is applied, Kim starts to feel cramping. We are also starting to see contractions on the external probe, a good sign. Kim describes the pain as similar to menstral cramps she used to have.

Since our arrival we've been catching up on our NFL action. Unfortunately the hospital does not have the NFL ticket, so we didn't get to watch the Bills today, Kim and baby are disappointed. Dr Finnegan says the head is in position for delivery and that the baby's head is looking in the direction of the football game, must be a football fan!

Amy Jones arrives around 2pm to visit us. Shortly after Amy arrives we go for a walk outside around the hospital. It was a short walk, but it felt good.

The Bills won today 23-10, so maybe its a sign that we're not having a baby today.

After a shift change, a new nurse Kelly, our friends Mark and Becky visit bearing gifts. Becky brought a sleezy sex mag (Cosmo), a baby Magazine (Martha Stewart) and Fortune with an article on Super Dads for me.

Dr Finnegan returned around 7pm to check on Kim's progress. Contractions are still occuring and the baby looks good, so the Dr will not give another dose of prostin gel tonight. Our progress indicates the baby may not come until Tuesday, but he'll re-evaluate on Monday morning.

After the Dr leaves Kim, Amy and I watch Monsters Inc. After the movie I run home to pick up a few things and get some food. As Day 1 comes to a close Kelly is relieved by Missy who will be our nurse throughout the night. I think we were both very anxious for the baby to arrive and with the news it may be Tuesday before baby comes is disappointing. The hospital and nurses are great but I think we'd both like to be home with our new baby!

October 21, 2002

Day 2 starts early with Missy coming in to take vitals every couple of hours, with a pelvic exam around 5am to check Baby T's progress and prepare for Dr Finnegan's first visit. After the prep work for the Dr visit Kim heads for the shower to freshen up. I slept on the sofa bed in the room. It was nive to stay in the hospital, but the comfort could be improved.

written by Kim:

Dr Finnegan stopped by around 8am or so, just before breakfast arrived. I was very hungary and wanted to eat, but didn't get a chance. The cramping from last night's gel had pretty much worn off so he decided to start with gel again today, not pitocin. Dr Finnegan checks my progress and I am 3cm dilated and about 80% effaced. He applies the gel and it seems to instantly spin me into labor. Our nurse today is Stacie and she says that the gel may be enough. I may not need pitocin.

Stacie constantly monitors my progress and I feel the contractions come on strong. They are approximately 2 minutes apart and 45 seconds in length. Stacie checks my progress and vital signs. She can not believe it, I have not dilated that much, but I am 100% effaced. She is going to call Dr Finnegan, it may be time to break my bag of water.

Around 9:15am Dr Finnegan breaks my bag of water and the contractions start to get stronger. He thinks we may have a baby by 4:30pm today. Mean while, throughout the whole labor process Paul has been wonderful! He hasn't even had a chance to shower or anything. He just sits by my side, counts my breathing and holds my hand. After Dr Dinnegan broke my bag of water he had to put the internal fetal monitors on me to check the baby's heart rate and my contractions. For some reason my contractions were not showing up on the monitor. I find this very odd because I know I am having them. The pacement of these monitors restricts where I can go, but that's ok because it seems like lying on my right side makes me feel best any way. Every time I move I throw up! I feel sea-sick.

The contractions keep coming and they are getting stronger. Nurse Char comes in to relieve Stacie so she can go to lunch. Char suggests I try some different positions, maybe this will help. I try sitting in the glider chair, but the rocking really makes me nauseous. Then I try to stand up and lean forward on the bed while Paul rubs my back. While Paul's massage feels great the standing and swaying makes me sick to my stomach again. So I just opt to sit on the bed. The baby's heart rate is best if I just lay on my right side so this is what I do.

The pain is really starting to get intense now. Epidural is running through my mind, but I can do this, I can endure! I will wait until Dr Finnegan comes over on his lunch to check my progress.

Around 12:30pm Dr Finnegan stops in to check my progress. I am only 4cm dilated! 1 cm? How can that be? I don't htink I can do this too much longer [this is where a doula would have intervened]. Stacie said I may need to get pitocin to regulate my contractions. this will probably make them more intense, regular and closer together. UGH!! Call for the epidural. I need it now.

We hear Dr Schneden is the doctor on call and I am nercous about this, but all the nurses say he is the best. At 1pm he starts the process and it takes about 30 minutes to complete, well it would have taken only 20 minutes if he wasn't so concerned about deleting a message on his beeper. By this point I could have picked up his beeper and slammed it on the floor inro 1000 little pieces. But eventually it is placed and the medicine starts to work.

It is amazing what a difference the epidural makes. I can hardly believe it, and I think Paul is pretty amazed too! The break in the action allows him to take a shower. I guess he doesn't want to be in his pajamas when the baby is born.

Around 1:15pm Paul calls Amy to give her an update. Very shortly Amy calls back. She got our message when she was in her car because she was already on her way to the hospital. She was just too excited to stay ay work. It works out well because Paul hasn't had anything for lunch and he asks Amy to stop by Wendy's and pick him up his favorite #2 combo.

Amy arrives around 2pm and Paul goes to eat lunch (switching of the guard)! I tell Amy all about the day and we are chatting when Stacie comes in to check my progress. She can't believe it, I am dilated to 10cm and I can start pushing! It is 2:30pm now and Amy runs out to get Paul and let him know we are going to start pushing. Paul runs into the room he can hardly believe it. In a little over an hour I went from 4cm to 10cm. Stacie says maybe th eepidural helped me to relax.

I begin pushing and it is really nice because it is only Paul, Amy, Stacie and me. The cameras are ready for action and the pushing begins. Soon the warmer comes into the room with our nursery nurse Brenda and Kristi the tech is present as well. A few contractions come, so they tell me, but they don't want me to push because the baby is too close. I have been pushing lying on my right side Stacie is counting and holding my left leg. Amy is cheering me on, but I think Paul is so excited and overwhelmed he forgets about me. He doesn't count, I think he is speechless. Finally Dr Finnegan arrives and he says we need to push him out now or we may need to use the vacuum because the baby's heart rate is going down. Just as he says that I push as hard as I can and out comes the abby. For what seems like an eternity I think "What is it? Boy or Girl?" Finally Dr Finnegan says it is a BOY! I can't believe it, I was so sure it was a girl. Paul was glowing with pride!! It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Connor was 4 pounds 10 ounces and 18 inches long.

After Connor was born they laid him on my belly and cleaned him off. We had a short time together, but then they took him to the warmer so the nurse could check him out. Of course at this point the only person paying attention to me was Dr Finnegan [again a place where a doula would have made a major difference]. Dr Finnegan said I better get use to it. I don't mind my boy is healthy and beautiful!!!

Connor was induced 5 weeks early due to low in-utero fetal movement. We had been sent to Denver for an amnio and his lungs looked developed and the Dr there said I could either have the baby now or wait a week on bed rest and then induce the labor. Upon Dr Finnegan's recommendation we decided to induce sooner than later (the day of my planned baby shower actually).

While typing these words out I felt tears of joy coming to my eyes thinking about the birth of my first son. While at the same time I feel tears of pain stinging my eyes for the naive choices we made, the lack of knowledge I feel I had going into the birth (we did take a childbirth class), and some mourning for the birth experience I did not get to have, but had been planning all along. I have often wondered why we didn't listen to our friend Chuck when he said "Get a Doula. It's the best investment you will make." While hindsight is 20/20 and I can't change anything about Connor's birth there is a feeling of loss and sadness that I did not accomplish the natural birth I had been wanting. I really think we made the choices we had to at the time and as Carri always says, I have to embrace Connor's story because that is HIS birth story and in the end we have a happy healthy 6 year old now who I adore and is truly one of the lights of my world!

Little did I know that Connor's birth was going to be the easy part. The next two weeks were to be the hardest weeks of my life!

To Be Continued.......

Product Review - Labor Lab

Posted by Kim:

As a new doula I have probably been going overboard trying to devour everything I can find about being a doula, doula techniques, the outcomes of births with vs. without doulas, networking with new doulas, interviewing and seeking out the advice of seasoned doulas (you get the picture here right?). I may be going a little overboard and my new doula bag may be packed (shall we say stuffed) with many I may never use, I have found one amazing item that truly gives me confidence knowing that it is in my bag as a resource: Labor Lab. Because one of my major goals throughout labor is to keep mom active and to help her manage her surges and find positions that help lessen the intensity of each surge, Labor Lab is the perfect resource giving me position suggestions, accupressure points, massage techniques and so many ideas on helping mom manage her labor.

Labor Lab is an easy, hands-on way to teach pregnant women and their support team, skills to enhance the experience of labor. The lab itself consists of 12, two-sided laminated cards packed with information as well as facilitator's guide with suggestions for use. Each card contains a labor situation practice, a question to discuss and various coping techniques. It is a wealth of information, but the thing I love about it the most is that along with the descriptions there are practical real life pictures so you can actually see the position and why it is used. I often find in a long labor my mind is so driven by adrenaline and I get so pumped up that I can barely think and keeping these cards out as reminders not only gives me position suggestions, but it is helps to me remember to keep mom moving and change positions every 45 minutes or so. If you have the chance check out Laurie's website and I highly recommend purchasing the set.

They are great for childbirth educators too because they can easy be used to assist in creating labor stations when you are having a labor rehearsal and you can even purchase the Parent Booklets as a small, easy item to carry or as reference material in your student folders. The Lab costs only $45 and includes the 12 cards two-sided full color cards, instructor's guide and 1 copy of the Parent Handbook. The handbooks are a screaming deal at only $2.50 and both are available in English and Spanish as well as the fact that they feature moms of different ethnic backgrounds. In my opinion, it is a must have!

The Twelve Labor Lab Cards include:

• Advantages and disadvantages of
  • Standing
  • Leaning forward
  • Side-lying
  • Squatting
  • Walking
  • Semi-sitting
  • Back-to-back
  • Kneeling/Hands & Knees
• Coping with Back Pain
• Rotating a posterior baby
• Breathing Techniques
• Tips for riding in the car
• When to call your doctor
• What to look for when the water breaks
• Difference between 'True' and 'Practice' labor
• When to go to the hospital
• Using a 'Birth Ball' - positions and safety tips
• Aromatherapy
• Massage
  • Hands
  • Feet
  • Jaw
  • Hips
  • Shoulders
• Ways to progress labor
• Acupressure points to
  • help nausea,
  • decrease pain, and
  • increase contraction strength
• Dealing with panic
• Creating an ideal labor environment
• Suggestions for encouragement and coaching phrases
• Ideas for cooling off or warming up during labor
• Signs and how to help with hyperventilation
• Ways to help with nausea or vomitting
• Pictures of
  • single women
  • married couples
  • women with labor companions
  • hospital settings
  • home environments
  • people of different ethnicities

About the Creator

Laurie Boyer is a certified childbirth educator, massage therapist, and labor doula. She has been active in the childbirth field for over 20 years. In an effort to keep her childbirth classes a "hands-on" and exciting learning experience for her students, she incorporated interactive learning stations to her teaching style. With the suggestions and ideas of many educators as well as feedback from class participants, Labor Lab evolved into the product available today. Her hope is to make a distinct and substantial impact on the overall experience of birth by providing Labor Lab to parents, childbirth educators, doulas, doula trainers and hospitals.

Birth Story - Kim's First Birth as a Doula!

Posted by Kim:

Well bringing in the new year was VERY exciting this year. I was not with my family when the clock struck twelve, instead I was helping a family be born! Since Friday night I had been in touch with Gina and Steve as their contractions began. The first call from Steve was received on Friday night at 10:30pm just as my husband Paul and I were sitting down to see the new 007 movie! Things were pretty much under control at that time, however I expected to hear from them later that night, but no news (silly new doula). Saturday morning I called at 9am to see how things were going and Gina's contractions had slowed throughout the night, but things kicked in again a little early Saturday morning, but were light. On Sunday morning I heard from Gina and Steve again and contractions started early and they wanted me to come over. I headed over around 9am (after picking up a heating pad) and worked with Gina as her contractions remained 5 minutes apart. Unfortunately they started to fade again so we walked the stairs, I encourage them to be together and kiss, we took a walk together, but nothing seemed to help. So after a while I went home and Gina enjoyed her mother and sister's company for the rest of the day.

On Monday Steve and Gina went to see their doctor and found out that she was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced. Good news that her contractions were actually doing something for her.

On Tuesday morning around 4:15 am Steve called again and asked if I would be willing to come over and help Gina as her contractions were back, but Steve was going to go into work. When I arrived Gina was laboring hard and we worked through the contractions. She sat on the fit ball and once the sun came up we went for a walk. Today however she wasn't able to walk through the contractions as on Sunday. We had to stop, I rubbed her back and she was cool and calm through each one. I was so impressed with how she was able to close her eyes, go into herself as each wave passed through her. Steve returned home from work around 10am, just as Gina's contractions were slowing in time and intensity AGAIN. Poor thing, how many days of labor can one person take? So I suggested she rest as much as possible and call me if she needs me. So once again I headed home expecting to hear from them again soon.

And I did..... It wasn't as soon as I thought, but after a fun evening of taking the boys Dave and Busters, Steve called me around 12:15 am Wednesday morning and said that Gina had been laboring and the intensity of the contractions seems like it had changed. After getting up and getting dressed (couldn't shower because the pilot on the hot water heater was out NICE...) I headed over to their house once again. I arrived around 1am and Steve immediately went to bed to rest. Gina and I spent some time together talked through the waves of contractions and I spent a lot of time rubbing her back, this seemed to be a continuous ache for her. While trying to remain completely confident and in control for Gina, on the inside I was worried that she could be progressing and we were close to birth and I didn't want to catch a baby. Gina kept asking me when we should go to the hospital and I reassured her that we could go any time, and we should especially go when she no longer instinctively felt safe at home. So around 3am and after a call to the hospital confirming that we could come home after being checked if we chose to, we decided to head out.

We arrived at the hospital about 20 minutes later and by 4am they checked Gina and confirmed that she had progressed to 5 cm and was about 100% effaced. This was good news so we decided to stay. Gina continued to labor and we all hoped that the contractions were making her progress, but again by 10am ish her contractions started to slow and become less intense. After talking with the doctor (she wanted to start pitocin right away) Gina and Steve agreed that we would wait until noon and see if she has progressed. At noon they checked her and she was only 6cm. So the doctor broke her water and this definitely brought on active labor. Gina continued to labor and was my hero because she was really handling it well considering the new level of intensity.

Around 6pm Gina decided to have another check and she was only 7cm. This was very discouraging for Gina and frankly after 5 days of labor she was really starting to get exhausted. So she and Steve decided it was time to consider the epidural. We all hoped the epidural would help her relax enough to dilate quicker. Once the epidural was placed there was instant relief and Gina felt much better and could even get a little rest. Unfortunately it did not help her dilate faster however. At 9pm she was 8cm, 11pm 9cm, 1am 9 1/2cm and by 1:40am she was fully dilated and ready to push. This was an exciting moment, but I tried not to get too excited because I knew from experience that there was still a lot of work to be done. I just didn't know how true this was, because it wasn't for 5 more hours before little baby girl Jordyn joined the world at 9 lbs 1 oz and 22 inches. As always it was amazing wonderful and euphoric. Looking at Gina's face it was like the last 28 hours (or 6 days for that matter) hadn't even happened! What a honor to be there. I can't wait for my next birth! I learned so much and it even allowed me to let go of some of the figurative pain I have been going through since Griffin's birth. Its like anything with parenting, you just can't make plans or if you do they have to be written in pencil because they are sure to change!

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to the BINSI blog. We are starting our blog as a way to introduce you to new BINSI products, other great birth products, and most importantly birth stories (ours and yours)! In addition, I will also share information and stories from my newest venture, Doula Certification! I am so excited about this opportunity and I can't wait to share with you what I am learning and about the births I am attending. Childbirth is an amazing and exciting process and I feel so honored that two couples have already asked me to be their doula! Everyday I discover more about birth (wish this was happening before I gave birth) and I am excited to share what I am learning with you. Carri will also be sharing information and stories from the births she attends as a doula and a mom.

We look forward to hearing your birth stories, comments and suggestions as well. If you have a birth story, a specific product or a suggestion that really helped you through your birth we would be happy to post it to our blog. Please send comments and suggestions to me at kim@birthinbinsi.com. Many Blessings...... Kim