My first 'trainee doula support' birthing experience - Sue Emary
On the morning of the 19 January I received a call from Theresa, she was in early stages of labour. We made arrangements for me to meet with her and Simon at the Royal Women's Hospital when she felt it was time to leave her home. I offered Theresa plenty of encouragement and reassurance and told her to call me whenever she needed me.
When Theresa rang again she was on her way to the hospital and she asked me to meet her there. The feelings that were running through me ranged from excitement to shear terror. Was l going to say and do the right things? Will l make it there on time? How would Simon feel about me there? (I hadn't met Simon as yet). Was l going to be able to meet her needs? How would the hospital staff treat me? I pondered on these feelings all the way to the hospital while adrenaline was pumping right through my body pretty much most of the way there. I vividly remember telling myself breathe Sue just breathe.
I arrived at the hospital just after 2.00pm. Theresa and Simon were both in the examining room. Theresa's waters had spontaneously broke just before l arrived. Theresa called out to me with each contraction just wanting to hold me tightly, to know that l was finally there with her. Simon and l worked together to support Theresa through the contractions as they came.
Her contractions were coming what seemed like every two minutes and lasting for quiet sometime. After an examination we were all surprised that she was well on her way and 8cm dilated. We all moved into the delivery room soon after.
We set the room up with a mattress and beanbag on the floor and the midwife bought in a bowl, and jug of ice water. Although the contractions seemed rapid and strong Theresa was coping extremely well. I noticed that she was welcoming them as they came. So with each one l whispered gentle encouragement into her ears all the while saying
'yes yes yes'. I encouraged movement and various positions throughout the contractions offering iced water to drink and gently wiping her forehead with a nice ice cold face washer after each one.
Still upright and using Simon to lean on, just before Theresa went into transition she began vomiting towards the end of each contraction. So l gracefully cleaned up the vomit, changed the sheets and her gown, and offered cool drinks all the while softly encouraging her to keep going. It wasn't long before Theresa had the urge to start bearing down.
She birthed her son in a supported squatting position, while l supported from the side. The baby was born after about three to four strong pushes at 3.40 pm. The feelings rushing through me at that time were almost indescribable. I felt so incredibly
honoured to be present and part of the process.
The baby began breathing soon after he entered the world. I noticed that he did not open his eyes so we dimmed the lights so the little man could take a look at the world that he had just entered into, and look into his mothers eyes for the very first time. I stayed and supported both Simon and Teresa for sometime after the birth offering them both something to eat, while they spent time bonding with their son. I helped Theresa to shower and get dressed and settled her into the maternity ward. l left her cuddling her baby as he was delightfully suckling on his mother's breast.
What a day!!!!! It felt like time had stood still and nothing else in this universe mattered except birthing this child. I finally got to be part of the one thing l had dreamed of, the one wish l had wished for, for as long as l could remember; to be at the birth of a baby. And although l was at the birth l found out that it wasn't so much witnessing the birth of a baby it was the magic and beauty of supporting another woman through the process. It was a day that l will never forget.
