Well I got the chance to do it again. I went over to my client's house on Sunday night to give her a massage and work on some pressure points to hopefully help her labor start. Well it worked!! A half hour after I left her contractions started, which I didn't know about until 5am. I then joined them at the hospital at 12pm. Mama was amazing. She had such control over her contractions and the way she was so strongly focused on what she wanted for her baby, was truly inspiring. Daddy stood at her side every minute of the way, even when exhaustion set in for everyone, he never left her side, always ready to hold her hand and encourage her at each contraction. At times I felt like there was nothing for me to do because of his dedication to be her supporter.
I was with them for 17 hours but one thing that spoke volumes to me was when mama looked up at me in between two contractions and just quietly asked how I was doing! She told me I looked really tired and should try to rest. How unselfish is that??!!!
Mama was so in love with her daughter from the moment the doctor laid her in her arms. To watch the sheer love shine off her tired face made me shed a few tears. It was that special.
The nurses at Twin Cities Hospital are some of the very best nurses a doula could possibly hope to work with. This sweatheart, Sarah, was so attentive and sweet. She contributed so much to the the entire birth experience. Daddy got in some skin to skin time with baby within the first half hour too!!
Here are just a few of my favorite shots of the beautiful baby girl. She's only a few hours old here! So sweet and peaceful as she slept.
I am so blessed!!!