One of the most amazing birth experiences I have had as a doula was my very first one. I was so incredibly honoured to be invited into this birth. I was ecstatic that I was going to be able to work alongside a midwife, for in my mind, they are truly magical beings. When I first spoke to Sila on the phone I was nervous that she might not want me present since it would be my first birth, but instead she welcomed me and wanted to help me learn and gain experience. Also, purely by chance, the doula whom I ended up working alongside was the very one who guided me through my birth with Aida. That alone was very special to me.
It was a long but incredibly beautiful birth. I surprised myself at how calm and not nervous I was. It felt completely natural to me, like I was exactly where I belong - next to a powerful labouring mama. I loved every minute of it. Sila is a woman with such strength and beauty, inside and out, and was nothing less than wonderful to be with. We spent a lot of time chatting and laughing and bonding and when it came to the more difficult parts of her labour we worked so well together. I could feel the absolute trust she had in me and it fed my drive to do everything I could to help her have the beautiful birth she wanted and deserved.
I witnessed for the first time the birth of a tiny, gorgeous human being and I was filled with such happiness for the mom and her new baby that I could not contain my tears. The emergence of this new baby triggered a rush of so many emotions in me along with the memories of my own birth and I was so thankful to feel these again. It was nothing short of amazing. I will forever be great full to this mama for the wonderful birth I ended up experiencing by her side.
Sila, who is back home in Kenya, sent me her birth story to share with you all. I hope you enjoy reading it! Thank you Sila for sharing with me and those who read this blog and thank you again for being an all around wonderful woman.
"When
I was in my early 20’s I remember wondering if a magic genie came to me
and said I could only have one thing in my life but not both – a true
love or to be a mother – which would I choose. In my head I always chose
to be a mother. If I couldn't have both then that was the one I’d
choose. In 2011, I was pregnant at 31 and in a troubled relationship. I
was advised, "You need a doula to be with you through it!" and yes, you
guessed it I googled it first and later decided I did need a doula!
After asking my friends about doula services in Winnipeg, a friend
recommended her friend friends' wife, who happened to be Bree. I later
learnt that it would be her first birth! As a new mum-to-be, I was a
little bit apprehensive but if there is something you will learn about
Bree is that she can calm a storm. We met shortly after I reached out to
Bree and she explained the package she will be providing me - but since
she was still in training she will be shadowing a certified doula. I
registered for a pro-bono doula
with another well known doula service in Winnipeg. Bree was a great
support for me 3 months leading to my birth. And when Barbara Harper was
in town for a talk on water births - we made a date to attend the
event. She kept me informed and also advised me on what/how I should
prepare. The fact that Bree was a mother too made her a good
birthing 'companion' for me. We talked about how I felt, how to improve
my energy levels (I was pretty tired) and how I was coping with
everything.
On
Nov 21st I started laboring at 4:30am and my midwife confirmed that I
was indeed going to have my baby today. I called my doula's Jessica and
Bree - Bree was to shadow another certified
doula for her practicum to be validated. Bree was the first to arrive
by my side and she brought me some homemade pasta sauce and a pack of
sanitary towel that remained from her last birth. Bree kept me
distracted from the pain as I crotchet my baby a sweater in between my
contraction. Bree truly felt like a sister at that moment. At 9pm (yes,
17 hours later) my midwife suggested we go to the hospital since I was
6cm dilated. Bree checked my bag to confirm I carried everything and
helped me finish my packing. We arrived the hospital and thank fully I
got my own huge room. I got settled in as my bath was prepared. Bree
excused herself to pump milk for her daughter and I remember she had
mentioned that she often pumps at work as well. Now, I had never heard
the weird sound of a breast pump before and when she started pumping, I
thought it was the funniest thing I have heard ever! Of course it wasn't
so funny after I started pumping but at that time I laughed so hard I
teared up. It was hilarious!
After
Midnight, my pain intensified and Bree stepped-up and made sure I was
breathing right and when the pressure was too much for me, she walked me
though techniques to ease the pressure. At 7:25am I was ready to push
-- Bree was there to cheer me on as she snapped pictures from her phone.
The photos she took are the only once I have of Mariela's birth.
Pictures that I shared with my family who were back home in Kenya.
Mariela was born at 7:45am on November 22nd 2011 and I asked Bree to cut
the umbilical cord.
Bree
was my star during my 25 hour labour. One thing that I love about Bree
is that she loves what she does as a doula and because she is so
passionate about her work, she is also so great at it too! I remember my
midwife telling Bree that she will make an incredible midwife some day.
She is just not a doula, she is a phenomenal doula.
Thank you Bree."
Thank you again Sila! And thanks to you all for taking the time to visit my blog.
Have a great day!
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