Baby 'C' is born!

Baby 'C' was born by emergency C-section early on 12-22-09. His mother hadn't felt him move in quite a while and called the Doctor. The Doctor suggested going to the hospital for monitoring. Baby Mama checked into the hospital (believing that she wouldn't be staying long) and was told that the amniotic fluid was low (they couldn't find any) and that they wanted to monitor her/Baby 'C' until his birth. They admitted her with the understanding that she really didn't want to have a C-section. A few hours later, several nurses rushed in and were VERY concerned about how her contractions were affecting Baby 'C's heart rate. Apparently, his heart rate was going up into the 160's/170's with each contraction...which is a definite sign of fetal distress/stress. They ordered an emergency C-section and an hour later, Baby 'C' was born. Baby Mama barely had enough time to get her best friend and parents back to the hospital in time for the birth, let alone me (her Doula). Baby was in the NICU for the first 12 hours of his life. He was given several courses of antibiotics, as they were concerned about infection and possible meconium inhalation. Baby 'C' checked out fine and was soon rooming in with Baby Mama. I went to visit them on the 23rd to help with breastfeeding and offer whatever support was needed. I was there for about an hour and a half. Baby 'C' was starting to catch on to breastfeeding and so was Baby Mama. She was in a lot of pain and discomfort from the C-section...poor thing, not what she wanted at all (but, who does!). I'm expecting to hear from Baby Mama with breastfeeding/whatever needs she has in the next few weeks. Seeing Baby Mama and holding Baby 'C' was quite miraculous and teary for me. Birth is SO COOL! :)

Week 7

I'm still waiting for my 'baby mama' to go into labor. She's now a few days over-due, so it should be ANY time now!

Earlier this week, I registered with the 'Chicago Volunteer Doulas' service. Hopefully in January I will be able to sign up for some 12-hour time-slots and be able to attend at least one birth. Very excited to start practicing. :) My initial 'take' at a Doula bag is complete...I have a visualization scenario printed out, breastfeeding information, relaxation techniques, rice sock, etc. Just waiting!!!

More updates to come soon.

Week #6

Weeks 2-5 went by VERY fast. Accomplishments include:
- Ordered DONA certification packet
- Signed up for and attended DONA 3-day Birth Doula Workshop/Breastfeeding class for the first weekend in December
- Finished book #1
- Have a first birth client whom is due on Saturday, December 19th! Wow, this is all happening faster than I expected
- Prepared my Doula services packet (incluing contract, description of services, articles, labor relaxation techniques, DONA forms, etc.) that I have presented and discussed with my first potential clients
- Attended Cortiva massage therapy workshop and met some of my fellow students!
- Signed up for (and was accepted) the Chicago Doula Yahoo group
- Set-up a meeting at Swedish Covenant Hospital to enroll in 12-hour Doula volunteer blocks of time
- Toured RUSH University Medical Center labor and delivery suite

I'm very excited about this first birth that I will attend (hopefully I will be able to attend this birth...but, I do have a back-up that I met at the Doula Workshop).

More updates to come soon!