The Doula Sandwich
By: Teri Quinn

When I became pregnant with my fourth child, I knew that I wanted a doula. My first child was born with minimal intervention but was very scary nonetheless. I thought I was fairly educated, but when it came time to being in labour, I realized how little I knew. The birth of my second child, much was different. I had a doula! I felt very nurtured and cared for which in turn made me feel in control. This birth experience empowered me. When I got pregnant for the third time I knew I would like a doula but did not know where to find one. The only doula I knew had moved away. I could certainly tell first hand what a difference a doula made. My husband was unsure how to help me and my mother was so emotionally connected. All they could do is watch and feel my pain. After having boy number three, I decided to become a doula myself. My birth experiences had led me on a journey of discovery. My calling.

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, I chose to have a homebirth with a midwife, two doula’s, my husband, three children, my mom and my sister all in attendance. I called my midwife and my doula, Jen early in the morning on Valentines Day to say that labour had started. Jen came over and we visited through the beginning of the contractions. We went for a walk trying to get things going while my husband watched over the boys. My second doula, Lisa, arrived mid morning as the contractions were getting stronger. They lit all of the candles to set a peaceful atmosphere and my husband started a fire in our fireplace. After another call from the midwife checking in to see how I was progressing, Jen and Lisa urged me to go for another walk. Honestly, I did not want to go. I was tired and it was warm in the house and cold outside. I knew that they were right though, so I reluctantly agreed.

Every time I felt a contraction we would stop and I would lean into Jen while Lisa rubbed my back. Unfortunately, the intervals of the contractions kept us stopping in front of the same barking dog and the same stinky garbage pile! It gave us something to laugh about anyways. Labour changed during that walk and I needed to get back to the house. My mom and sister arrived and all I could say to them was “bake me some banana bread.” Another call from the midwife. She can’t wait any longer. she’s too excited and wants to know if she should come now. I am definitely in active labour and am really relying on my doula’s now. Being in my own home brings the freedom to be as vocal as I want. I drape my arms around Jen and moan as Lisa massages my back. My doula sandwich! They speak words of encouragement, softly, one at a time and together. Time for a bath. They make all of the preparations and I slither into the warm water. Relief. Now I leave my body. I hear what is happening around me but I cannot respond. I hear them speaking to me, loving words, encouraging words. I doze in and out of consciousness. I feel a warm towel on my belly.

It feels so good. A straw pokes in my mouth. More wonderful words. Transition. Let me out of the tub! I cry out, weep, groan, give up. It’s too much. They talk me down. They get me moving into my bedroom and onto the bed. They tell me it’s almost over and I am doing so well. It’s time to push. I am leaning over Jen on my hands and knees. She holds me and whispers into my ear. She feels every powerful contraction with me. Lisa is stroking my back, rubbing my legs and speaking to me. Finally my baby emerges and I scoop her up from between my legs. A girl! A beautiful and precious blessing from God! I am euphoric. All of my loved ones are around me welcoming a new life. Jen and Lisa help me clean up and get settled in bed ready to rest and enjoy my new baby.

It’s hard to put into words the feeling you have for another woman who experiences your birth with you. I love them both for all that they did for me. They made my birth experience everything I wanted it to be. For that I am eternally grateful.

Teri Quinn is a mother to four beautiful children-Forest, Aidan, Cullan and Sequoia. She is a doula, childbirth education student and aspiring midwife.

A Sister's Story
By: Lisa Hoogenraad

I had been working as a Doula for several years when my sister shared her news that she was expecting. I was thrilled and started looking forward to being with her for the birth. Much to my disappointment she explained that she and her husband wanted this to be their private experience. I was one of many family members who were waiting outside the delivery room for the news. My sister had been induced earlier that day as she was three weeks past her due day. Her baby boy was eventually delivered by C-section after several hours of pushing early the next morrning. When my sister told me she was expecting for the second time I wondered if they might be more open to having a Doula. In fact she was adament that she wanted help during this delivery because she wanted to avoid having a repeat C-section. One week after her due date she was once again induced.

It raised fears for my sister because of the similar start as her first labour. I did everything I could to reasure her that this labour would be different, all the while praying that it would be so. As we laboured I encouraged her walk around...Oh! that is much better than laying in bed she explained. Every hour I had her empty her bladder. She shared with me later that couldn't even remember doing that with her first labour. I watched as the contractions increased and her look of concern every time the nurse came in to increase the pitocin. I had her focus on each contraction, one at a time, riding them, working with them, breathing through them. Her husband massaging her back, supporting her body, whispering words of encouragment. Her ritual of wiggling her fingers with each contraction, and rocking back and forth brought comfort and rythm to her labour that had been absent with the first.

After only 8 hours her baby girl was delivered vaginally with no complications. My sister and her husband were overwhelmed with the difference it had made having someone with them constantly, encouraging them, making suggestions, calming them, supporting them.

Since then I have had the privilage of supporting several more women through the emotional and physical challenges of a vaginal birth after ceasarian (VBAC) including my sister's third delivery.

Third Times a Charm

My birth stories certainly seem to support that saying. My first two births involved breach baby, posterior babies and epidurals all round! I think even my husband wanted one with the first!

Then along came our doula! My good friend Joanna had finished up with her doula training in good time to be there at the birth of our third baby. I was a little uncertain at first at the thought of having someone other then my husband or mom with me. However, with all the good things I was hearing from Joanna about having a doula present and just the knowledge she had on birthing, it definitely calmed any doubts I had.

There were so many positive things about having a doula, not least of which was to have someone who was a calming presence during the frustration of preterm labour. During labour I was so grateful to have someone think for my husband and I so that he could really concentrate on me and not have to keep an eye on how things were progressing. We had a hospital birth again but even that was light years away from all previous experiences. I know that all the extra encouragement and support from our doula was what made a significant difference.

I was so thrilled to get through everything without any needles or drugs, that right after our lovely daughter was born, I said it truly was my first "real birth". And my doula knew exactly what I meant!!