Super Doula

When we first found out we were expecting a baby, we had conversations with many different people about how they did things. From the information I gathered, many friends suggested having a midwife. It seemed like the right idea. a)it was covered by medical, b)it seemed like over and above the home/personal care you would get from just having a doctor c)my own doctor (who doesn't deliver babies) seemed gung-ho on the idea.

So the hunt began. (I think there is a post somewhere earlier here perhaps) Well, the long and short of it, I think we ended up with midwife or team of midwives/office that were going through a transition. Something felt almost too relaxed about each visit. For first time parents, I found that not many of the conversations were initiated by them and they felt very disorganized to say the least. I was called by the wrong name several times and a couple of appointments were re-arranged. There was just a general feeling of unsettledness. (I realize there are many great midwives out there - so this is no reflection on the profession) The bottom line - we just didn't feel as though they were really taking care of us. There were three midwives at this particular office and we had only met one up until asking if we should meet the others. The idea is if one isn't available - the others take care of you. We realized that the only other midwife we had met was leaving possible before our baby was due, another had left for a term in Africa, and a young, less experienced midwife showed up on the scene (there was even one midwife that came into our first meeting that I never saw again...I don't even know if she's still a part of that office?) I really wanted some guidance from someone with experience and it just wasn't heading that direction. Something just felt off kilter.

This is were we were in luck. The prenatal classes we signed up for through Lower Mainland Child Birthing Society were taught by two fabulous teachers (both of whom were Doulas) and we ended up asking for some advice from one of them - Aleksandra. We quickly decided that we needed to hire a doula. Now, my perception of what a doula up until this point was that they were more some esoteric, hippy-like cheerleader...haha. (of course this isn't based on any fact!) But I quickly realized that it was the support we were looking for all along. We now have switched care to one of the best obstetricians and we have the support of Aleksandra, who we feel so great about involving in our adventure into parenthood. We knew from taking classes with her that we would feel so comfortable and supported by having her around and she's already done more for us in one meeting and a phone call than we feel like we've experienced the whole way through.

Three cheers for doulas we say! And thank you Aleksandra for being there for us.

Happily heading into the homestretch

Bill & Jennifer