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Arriving Early: My Week As A Doula
I was MIA last week from blogging, but I had an absolutely wonderful reason.
A baby was born and as the Doula, I was privileged to witness this beautiful miracle.
I was scheduled to fly out to Texas on January 26th and Baby K was due January 28th.
Baby K had other plans and decided to come 6 days early.
When I got the text at 10:30 pm (1-21-12) that mama’s water broke, it was a bit unexpected.
When flight changes were finalized for a 6:05am departure from Denver – it was time to get in high gear so I was prepared to leave and be gone for 5 days.
Needless to say, I never went to bed that night. Bags were packed. Instructions were posted on the fridge. Food was prepared for the week. I made zucchini bread at 1am. Make-up was back on and hair was done. Then it was time to say goodbye to the kids.
Heartbreaking.
It was 3am and I went up to Scout’s room – he’s my little shadow. He very much likes and needs physical contact with me. Hugging, kissing, snuggling. I couldn’t wake him up because he wouldn’t have gone back to sleep, so I just had to sit by him quietly, caress his back softly and whisper “goodbye” and “I love you” while tears poured down my face. Closing his door behind me was so hard and sad.
Next was Bella. I did wake her up because, well, I just had to. I told her that I had to leave earlier than I was supposed to and that I was going to miss her so much.
She sobbed. Hard. So did I.
I laid with her for about 30 minutes as she clung to me with all her might. Closing her door behind me was hard and so sad.
Four am came and Hubby and I headed out the door for DIA. He walked me to security and allowed me the freedom to cry one more time. There he stood, off to the side of the security check point and watched me until I was through security and on my way to the terminal.
Love.
The flight was good and I landed at DFW shortly after 9am, Texas time. Labor had progressed and we (my sweet friend, Jenny and I) needed to head straight to the Birth Center. We arrived about 5 minutes before Mama and Daddy arrived – perfect timing.
A little under 2 hours after arriving, Baby K was here. Mama had a great birth and I was so proud of how well everything went.
First time mom. Giving birth at a birth center, natural and intervention-free. Hard contractions. Lots of pushing. Amazingly strong woman!
It was beautiful – an absolutely amazing experience.
I was honored to be able to be a part of a birth where I was able to help welcome a baby into this world in the manner in which the parents desired to.
I was honored to spend 5 days blessing this amazing couple as they adjusted to having a baby in the house.
Even in the midst of missing my children and husband like crazy, I had a wonderful week. I was welcomed into their home as if I’ve been a part of their family, well, forever. I also got the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. The dad’s parents and twin sister were staying in the house that week as well and I found in them a wonderful family. They welcomed me so gracefully. They treated me like I belonged in their family. We talked, told stories – laughed uncontrollably at times and I will never forget the friendships that were made that week.
I was also able to see some of my friends that I don’t get to see very often – I call them my Texas Girls! I was able to go to my friends Bible Study Group that she holds every Tuesday {you can can watch it online as well as listen to the podcast now – http://www.globalgirlsbiblestudy.com} and I was able to stay on the land that overlooks the lake that I was baptized in back in 1997! What a blessed week!
I was able to hold a newborn in my arms and watch him sleep as I just stared at him with awe for our Creator. I got the chance to calm him down when he would cry at the top of his lungs (he has strong lungs!) by walking, swaying, singing, patting and visiting the rebounder as needed! It was nice to visit with my new friend, Chelsey (the twin sister) as she held her nephew late into the night so the parents had a chance to get some much needed rest.
Days were spent baking cookies (Lactation cookies that became quite a hit), cooking up Wheat Farina (or as Chelsey called it – White Christmas) for breakfast, grocery store runs, trips to Five Guys Burger, finding a new adoration for the Keurig coffee machine, preparing Sitz Baths, taking pictures of Baby K with all his visitors, assembling book shelves for Jenny who is such a blessing to everyone she comes in contact with, giving Tikka the dog belly rubs, taking time to just enjoy the view of the lake, talking with Baby K’s grandma about parenting and training up a child in the ways of the Lord, bugging Chelsey to share ALL her wedding details with me (she’s getting married in a few months) and so much more!
My week was truly blessed. Having the opportunity to be a part of this week was amazing and I would do again in a heartbeat!
Leaving was sad – I think it always is. I was going to miss my friends, Baby K, helping and keeping busy.
But coming home was wonderful. It felt so good to hug my kids and smother their faces with kisses. I was doing it so much Scout finally said, “ Get off me, mommy.” Oops! Hubby did amazing at watching the kids all week – working from home and picking up my routine to make sure everything went smoothly. It did. I appreciate him so much.
I thank everyone who stepped up to the plate to help make this possible. For almost 2 years now I have had a desire to become a certified Doula. I still plan on it – I’m just finishing up all my other certifications first in the area of health and nutrition. I want to be able to offer any clients I have the knowledge of eating and taking care of their bodies pre-conception, during pregnancy and post partum. Once I complete these certifications, I will then pursue my desire of becoming a certified Doula.
Thank you, Rachel and Caleb for allowing me to be a part of KAM’s birth and all that it entailed. Thank you for welcoming me in your home and giving me the opportunity to bless you as much as I could during this new chapter of your lives. You guys are amazing and I love you all so much!
In Joy,
“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
Elizabeth Stone
what an awesome experience!
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