Thursday, June 19 to
Saturday, June 21, 2008
dou·la (d
l
)n.
A woman who assists another woman during labor and provides support to her, the infant, and the family after childbirth.
[Modern Greek doula, from Greek dialectal doul
, servant-woman, slave.]
, servant-woman, slave.]This is what I am here. One of the roles I have. A role I want. Not a midwife or a doctor, but a supporter of them and of women who give birth. A supporter of their families in this sacred process. I loved that part especially when I was at the big Mercy Manila clinic a few years back.
And of course, I was honored to be at the birth of my granddaughter.
There is actually a certification process for it. I went to San Francisco the weekend before I left for the Philippines this time, and attended the DONA mandatory workshop. Yes, San Francisco. It was great. Other than sitting on pillows, it was quite informative and all of the women were lovely and open and giving and committed. No incense, really. Now that I have completed the workshop, the births here that I attend from 4 cm on will count for my certification, if I stay with them continuously until well after the baby is born.
Disclaimer: This will be the only medically detailed birth story I will post. Email me if you want a private email list for my doula and midwife friends.
So, another first time mom showed up on Thursday. We will call her Elizabeth.
At 5 pm, Vicki texted me. She was 4cm, get to the Clinic stat! She can be a candidate for my certification!
She was lovely. With an easy, quick smile. From an island in the way-south. She spoke of the political situation with Abu Sayef and the recent kidnappings as she walked. And walked. Her back hurt. I applied the double hip squeeze. I learned a lot of holds in my early law enforcement days, but none so effective for back pain in labor. She kept walking.
Some European missionaries drove in, headed to the medical side of the clinic. One of them had been snakebitten while with the Mangyan tribal village. He had a tourniquet and said that a tribesman had sucked out the poison within 4 minutes. He felt ok, considering he did not know what kind of snake it was. And he was not in labor, and "E" was still walking, walking, walking.
Her labor oh so slowly but surely progressed. Very normal for a first. But it can be discouraging too. This is why she needed a servant. I washed her face and brought water and Ovaltine when she heard she was still only at 7cm at 1 am. Held her hand. She quit smiling and thanking me, and I knew that the time was nearer. It took all night, but at around 4:00 her mom and sister came in, at 4:50 her husband arrived (he had been stuck across the bay). Eventually she dilated to 10 cm and began pushing, and at 5:10 there was a lively little boy born It was so great. And her mom was calling on Jesus to help her, and thanking Him as the baby's head crowned. Kate was there, Anna the intern was there and Jen our Filipina midwife. AJ latched on and all was well. The big smile was back. The following day Kate and Anna took a boat back across the bay in pre-typhoon weather to do the postpartum exam. I couldn't go because I had another mother in early labor.
I didn't know how long it would take to get 3 qualifying clients, but this was going well. Rachel arrived at 10:20 am on Saturday, June 21st. Another walker, very stoic, very young. Her mother in law was with her, and later her husband and his young son as well. She told Jen she is a second wife. She is 20, her husband 24. At 5:30 she is still 6-7cm and is up and down out of bed, different positions. The tears start. I walk with her. I show her husband how to support her. He seems willing, he rubs her back but then has somewhere to go. I am holding her up in a squat, and am thankful when he comes back at the critical time and helps. I am whispering to her, helping her breathe, having her keep her chin down to make her efforts more effective. She gives it all she has left after being awake for two days (plus walking maybe 100 kilometers?), and at 8:29 pm a girl is born. Vicki and the other midwives work to bring the baby from blue to pink. The mother is physically fine but shockingly tired. I try to keep her awake so that she doesn't literally pass out. Her baby cries as I hold her at the breast and that revives them both. A smile plays at her lips and she focuses again. The baby sucks at the breast, the husband thanks God. And us. It was Him, and us through Him.
Yes, thank God.
And of course, I was honored to be at the birth of my granddaughter.
There is actually a certification process for it. I went to San Francisco the weekend before I left for the Philippines this time, and attended the DONA mandatory workshop. Yes, San Francisco. It was great. Other than sitting on pillows, it was quite informative and all of the women were lovely and open and giving and committed. No incense, really. Now that I have completed the workshop, the births here that I attend from 4 cm on will count for my certification, if I stay with them continuously until well after the baby is born.
Disclaimer: This will be the only medically detailed birth story I will post. Email me if you want a private email list for my doula and midwife friends.
So, another first time mom showed up on Thursday. We will call her Elizabeth.
At 5 pm, Vicki texted me. She was 4cm, get to the Clinic stat! She can be a candidate for my certification!
She was lovely. With an easy, quick smile. From an island in the way-south. She spoke of the political situation with Abu Sayef and the recent kidnappings as she walked. And walked. Her back hurt. I applied the double hip squeeze. I learned a lot of holds in my early law enforcement days, but none so effective for back pain in labor. She kept walking.
Some European missionaries drove in, headed to the medical side of the clinic. One of them had been snakebitten while with the Mangyan tribal village. He had a tourniquet and said that a tribesman had sucked out the poison within 4 minutes. He felt ok, considering he did not know what kind of snake it was. And he was not in labor, and "E" was still walking, walking, walking.
Her labor oh so slowly but surely progressed. Very normal for a first. But it can be discouraging too. This is why she needed a servant. I washed her face and brought water and Ovaltine when she heard she was still only at 7cm at 1 am. Held her hand. She quit smiling and thanking me, and I knew that the time was nearer. It took all night, but at around 4:00 her mom and sister came in, at 4:50 her husband arrived (he had been stuck across the bay). Eventually she dilated to 10 cm and began pushing, and at 5:10 there was a lively little boy born It was so great. And her mom was calling on Jesus to help her, and thanking Him as the baby's head crowned. Kate was there, Anna the intern was there and Jen our Filipina midwife. AJ latched on and all was well. The big smile was back. The following day Kate and Anna took a boat back across the bay in pre-typhoon weather to do the postpartum exam. I couldn't go because I had another mother in early labor.
I didn't know how long it would take to get 3 qualifying clients, but this was going well. Rachel arrived at 10:20 am on Saturday, June 21st. Another walker, very stoic, very young. Her mother in law was with her, and later her husband and his young son as well. She told Jen she is a second wife. She is 20, her husband 24. At 5:30 she is still 6-7cm and is up and down out of bed, different positions. The tears start. I walk with her. I show her husband how to support her. He seems willing, he rubs her back but then has somewhere to go. I am holding her up in a squat, and am thankful when he comes back at the critical time and helps. I am whispering to her, helping her breathe, having her keep her chin down to make her efforts more effective. She gives it all she has left after being awake for two days (plus walking maybe 100 kilometers?), and at 8:29 pm a girl is born. Vicki and the other midwives work to bring the baby from blue to pink. The mother is physically fine but shockingly tired. I try to keep her awake so that she doesn't literally pass out. Her baby cries as I hold her at the breast and that revives them both. A smile plays at her lips and she focuses again. The baby sucks at the breast, the husband thanks God. And us. It was Him, and us through Him.
Yes, thank God.
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