Monday, July 20, 2009

Child Birth...

well if you count my own births, one of my sisters' three, and two friends' births, then today would total: 8. Eight births that I have been able to be a part of.   but of those births 3 were all natural, and of those three 2 were with pitocin and no epidurals.. but today was different in that I was solo.. in the coaching chair that is. I think the technical term is doula, but since I'm not certified or anything (who knows when I will get to that part... ) the role is still the same:  coach momma through contractions and help parents get the birth they want by dealing with pain management and working with the hospital staff.  

I LOVED it.  First I have to say thank you to Lindsay and JC for allowing me the privilege of being in the room during such a sacred and blessed event.  Wow, I could live off this high for a long time.  Lindsay was induced and stayed on the pit drip up until 7 cm's, which by the way: she went from 1 to 7 in a little over 2 hours.  Then the pit was turned off and shortly thereafter she had her beautiful baby girl.  She did fantastic!  Seriously! 

I know I have sung the praises about natural birth (namely mine), but there is such a different side to be experienced when you are the one coaching someone else, on your own, well not on your own, but without other doulas/coaches there.  I learned a lot today about trusting your gut and what the body is communicating.. Birth is so amazing.  God created our bodies to grow those babies and also to push them out.  And when we allow our bodies to do just that you will be amazed at how you CAN do it.  Your body was made for it.  

You truly can take it "one contraction at a time" until you are pushing that precious little head out and then onto scooping that little baby onto your chest.  Wow.. I am amazed at the gift of God through birth.  Seeing that even in our most painful moment, He is there and is able to give strength to our bodies (and mostly to our mental fortitude) to arrive at the end.  

Anyway.. I just had to share.  I am so thankful to the Lord for what I was able to gain from today.. and I look forward to more opportunities to help momma's get the birth's they want.  

8 comments:

Abby Warren said...

Preach it sister! Yea! What a blessing. I have a few mommas I am hoping to help have natural births in the next few months! I am super excited! I am sure having you there was such a blessing. I got your message by the way and, no I was not at work. Plus, I just work at night now=( so I rarely get inductions. Glad everything went well!

Tiffany said...
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Tiffany said...

I think that's so amazing Rachel! I had no idea that you were a coach! I will have to keep that in mind whenever we get off the road and start a family. What a blessing for Lindsay and you!

Ole Miss Mom said...

I am definitely PRO natural birth...but for some reason, I can't come out and formaly SAY that's what I PLAN to do...i just want it to happen this time. I don't know why! I know I could do it, and would LOVE it, but I guess I've been down the easy/painless birth 3 times before and also I feel like I'd be really "going against the flow" of what the drs in my practice do. Last appointment I hinted at it to see her reaction (i had never met this dr before) and she about died and said, "well, hopefully we'll have you in a nice CONTROLLED environment" Note to self, I DO NOT want this dr to deliver me!! lol

Lindsay said...

I couldn't have done it without your support, Rachel! You were a GREAT coach and I'm so thankful for the experience we had yesterday! I'll carry it with me forever.

Rachel Garcia, CD(DONA) said...

Lindsay M-
Yeah.. that is definitely code for "strapped to the bed." Wow that gives me the creeps just thinking about her actually saying "controlled." Wow..

Let me encourage you, with God you can do anything. Even the pain.. And without a dialogue with your doctor it will be next to impossible to have support and therefore, success. I'd be happy to talk to you about it if you would like..

I can offer some suggestions for you on how to approach it. Email me eljeep@yahoo.com

Rachel said...

That's awesome! I'm glad you got to be a part!

christiejones said...

So excited for you Rachel. That is a huge ministry. I probably would have considered natural child birth if i had "access" to someone like you. Yeah God!