I feel certain that my labour would not have ended in a natural delivery had it not been for Stephanie’s support. At about 10:30pm on Friday night, after 24 hours of early labour at home supported by my husband and sister, Stephanie joined us. I was somewhat ‘stuck’ at this point, with contractions which were regular but not sufficiently strong or frequent enough for me to go to hospital. However, with Stephanie’s help I was able to engage with the contractions and by 4am Saturday morning I was finally ready to make the trip!
With Stephanie’s unwavering support, advice, encouragement and advocacy I was able to make it through a further 22 hours of labour, and birth my beautiful son Jude- without pain relief- at 1:47am on Sunday the 8th September, 2013. During the course of the labour, Stephanie helped me to negotiate the timing of internal examinations, the breaking of my waters and the introduction of Syntocin to speed up the labour. I had hoped for an intervention free birth, so when each one became necessary, Stephanie helped me talk with the doctor until I felt ready to accept each procedure. And, after being by my side for about 27 hours, Stephanie stayed on post delivery to take photos of my husband and I in those first precious minutes with our new son, bring me a sweet cup of tea and listen to me chatter about the incredible experience I’d just been through!
Prior to the front-line business of birth, Stephanie, Ben and I had several birth preparation meetings, covering everything from my family’s birth stories to practical birthing positions. During these meetings Ben and I got to know and trust Stephanie, and Ben gained confidence as a birth partner. Post birth, Steph visited me twice, offering a valuable opportunity to debrief about the birth, an experience which sticks with you in the following days and weeks. I also had three Baby Massage sessions with Steph, which were useful and enjoyable!
Giving birth is HARD WORK. At times labour can feel like it will never end. Doctors and midwives will come and go, but your doula will not leave you. Your doula will look you in the eye and tell you that you can do it. Your doula will hold a face washer to your burning brow. Your doula will massage your aching shoulders and then give you the encouragement and focus you need to work effectively through the next contraction. Your doula will give your partner a break and always has a new suggestion to mix things up when labour slows. Your doula will stand by you when it’s finally time to push and you feel like the universe is cracking in two.
Stephanie did all of this for me and more. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Jo, Ben and Jude – 2013