Birth Story of Baby E

Tuesday I had the honor of being at a birth. I was the back up for another girl who wasn't able to be there with the expectant parents. They were admitted to the hospital about 6:00 pm on Tuesday night at 4 cm and her water had been broken for several hours already. So finally at about 1:30 am I received the call that I needed to be there to relieve the other girl and she hadn't dilated any further so they had started pitocin. By the time I arrived at the hospital she had been on pitocin for a while and had been coping very well. However, they were about to increase the drip and she decided to relax and progress she needed an epidural. Because of the meds, she had alot of shaking. We tried to manage the shaking by me rubbing some lavender essential oil on my fingertips and massaging her scalp. That was the only thing that worked! After about 15 minutes of me doing that, she was out like a light. The epidural was a great decision on her part, as within the next, approximately, 4 hours, she went from 5 centimeters to 10!! It was time to start pushing!

Most people that have an epidural need a while getting alot of direction on pushing. Well not this mommy! She picked it up on the first push. Not only did she pick it up like a champ, but she did it for 3 hours and 55 minutes and never complained. Not once! After almost 4 hours of pushing the doctor decided she needed a little help getting baby out, as she was at 41 weeks and there was meconium present in the fluid when her water broke. So with a little help from some forceps, baby girl E was born at 2:35pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Of course, seeing as how there was meconium present, they had to call in the special care doctors to check baby, and she had to be taken to NICU. She was perfectly healthy otherwise, weighing 7lbs 6 oz and beautiful as could be.

The parents were completely elated with the whole process, and I may not ever see a couple that loves and supports eachother more than these two. They were a great team, and did an awesome job in labor!

Happy Friday to All,
Doula Tiffany

1st Solo

Good Morning!! I think I am just now getting caught up on sleep and coming off of my rush from last week. Thursday, I had my first solo birth. It was AMAZING! Maybe not so much for the mommy, but for me, definitely. It was challenging. Probably the MOST challenging first birth anyone could have conjured up. But would I change it? NO! Well maybe the part where the baby went into distress and had to be born by emergency c-section. But, that's only because it wasn't in the mommy's plan. But mom and baby are both doing great! The sweet little baby girl weighed 8lbs 12oz and just didn't want to come out of the nice, warm place that had been created for her. :)
On Thursday night I got called up to the hospital because my girl was hurting pretty good. So, I mad my way up there and got to her at about 7pm. for the 5 hours or so, we bounced on the ball, swayed, tried turning the baby with hands and knees, and walked. Well, eventually the baby got tired of all that and went into distress. So as this sweet woman laid in bed she contracted VERY hard for a few more hours. With each contraction, I was putting intense pressure on her hips and lower back to try and ease some of the labor she was feeling in her back. We thought surely it was almost time. She was at 1cm. She had been contracting so hard from the pitocin, but was still not dilating. Finally she asked to be taken off and given the night to try and progress naturally. She was hungry and exhausted and she couldn't take any more pain without dilating. I told her how proud I was of her for going so many hours in that much pain and not asking for meds or c-section, which were HUGE goals for her. What a champ!! So, I left to go get a few hours of sleep, and to let her get some as well and told her to call me when things started moving. I never heard. I started to worry and at about 12:30 called to make sure everything was ok. No answer and more worry. Finally at about 2 I got the call that they had to be rushed in for an emergency c-section. My heart sunk, as I knew it wasn't what she wanted, and as I realized I wasn't there for it! I made my way up to the hospital to see them and that really made everything so much better. Once I saw that sweet baby girl and knew she was healthy, I knew that everything that had happened had to happen and all that mattered was that they were healthy. Again, she was so amazing to endure about 24 of back labor and not ask for anything to make the pain go away. I got some amazing experience with comfort measures and relating to hospital staff, so all in all I would say that everything turned out pretty great! Looking forward to my next one!!
Be fruitful and multiply,
Doula Tiffany

Another Week, Another Adventure

Well last week brought forth some interesting days. I got a taste of what it's like to live the life of a Doula. AND also a taste of how incredibly unpredictable birth is. I have a client, now 4 days past her due date. She was having contractions every 5 minutes and said she felt some pressure in her pelvis. To me, I thought hmm maybe she needs to get to the hospital, but when I called on the advice of the one I would say is my mentor, she knew immediately, that it wasn't time for that baby to be born. So, today, Monday, I still await the call for my service! I am still as excited (maybe even more) as I was last week, but I realize that my sitting around and thinking about it isn't going to make the baby come faster! :) Lesson #3698 learned. And that is the lesson to not stop your every waking move if someone has a contraction. I think I will get used to it!
A thought I've been having alot lately, is the parallel in this time of year and birth. It never ceases to amaze me when I look around and see a new bud sprouting on a flower, or a tree getting new leaves. And even more so, a mommy's belly begin to grow with the growth of her baby! God creates some pretty amazing things! Alright, that is all for today! I must get on with some other things! Have a great Monday!
Be fruitful and multiply,
Doula Tiffany

Hitting it Head On

Today was a big day for me. I actually put in writing, a business plan of action for my new adventure! Of course there are all the normal business planny type things. But #11 on my business plan was PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! I have spent so much time praying that God will use me to help people, and show me the direction HE wants me to go. So, join me won't you? I would appreciate a little shout out in your daily prayer time! Thanks!
Be fruitful and multiply!
Doula Tiffany

My Big Week

I had my first birth this week! I got a call after our small group on Wednesday, to go shadow for a doula and get some experience! I was nervous and ecstatic! On my drive downtown, I prayed and assured myself I knew what to do and that I would do great.
When I got there, she had decided after several hours of back labor, that she would get an epidural. I thought to myself, "great, how am I going to get any experience?!" WELL, actually, when you are presented with a situation that on any given day, you would turn your nose up at, you are probably going to learn something! Not that i necessarily turn my nose up at epidurals, I just wasn't aware of my role, as a doula, when one has been given. Little did I know the work it is to hold someone in a position to push for 3 hours!! WOWZA!! She did so great and worked SO hard for those 3 hours. However, after 3 hours you would think a baby would move down some. Especially after dilating from a 4 to an 8 in about an hour and a half! However, the baby had not made any progress, so they checked to see what was going on. Turns out the baby was stuck in the pelvis and there was NO WAY it was going to move through. So after a very tiring labor, she was told she had to have a C-Section.
So my first experience was different than I imagined it would be, my I'm so grateful I got the opportunity to see things in action! AND, the doula I shadowed sent me a referral of a girl that is due any day! I'm so excited and I'm sure you will be hearing about it soon!

No Tip Today

In trying to keep up with my "tips" each week, I started to feel like it was becoming more of a chore instead of a passion. Don't get me wrong, I want to be available for tips and questions, but I just started to draw blanks when trying to come up with a topic. And for goodness sake, I do NOT want anything I do on here to be done half way or without heart. So, we are not having a tip today. Just an honest outpouring of thoughts and feelings on my journey, thus far. I, certainly, did not think 3 months ago, that I would ever be as close as I am now, to being near the end of the certification process or so near to the births of a few of my dearest friends children. WOW! One of them today messaged me shock and anticipation that she is now in her third trimester! How exciting! I can't wait to be with them as they are bringing little tiny humans into the world. It still amazes me, no matter how much I read, or how many birthing videos I watch. IT'S AMAZING! I honestly wish I had more coming up, because I think I'm going to love it so much, I'm not going to want to wait around too long for another one. Actually, I wish I could doula for someone today! HA
There is just something about the process of carrying and birthing a child that makes people just stop and kinda go "whoa". In fact, yesterday I was talking to one of my best friends about all of it. Let me preface this by giving you some of her background. She is amazing. She has lived and worked in Barcelona, London, and currently New York at a big time bank. She is currently trying to decide WHICH Ivy League school to go to for her MBA (WHAT?!). She has traveled the world, including Thailand, Egypt (she floated the Nile), etc. She is an adventure seeker who sky dives among many other things. YET, when I was talking about being a Doula, she reacted with a sound of awe in her voice and said "whooooaaa that's awesome." That furthered my belief that God put something in each of us that makes us recognize what an awesome and intricate thing he has created! It blows my mind really!
Sometimes I wonder if people will take me seriously because I don't have children of my own yet. I hope they do. I have read several blogs of other doulas who got into it because of their own birth experience, whether good or bad. I love those stories, because it seems like they can pinpoint the defining moment that they realized what they wanted to do. Since I have never experienced labor personally, I don't have that kind of a story. My story is a little longer and seems as if several events over my life have brought me to this point. God created in me a sense of compassion and nurturing. That's where my story starts. And from there, people that have come into my life have inspired me even further. So again, I hope the "no child Doula" will have credibility!
Maybe I was just feeling extra sappy today, but these are just some things have been going through my mind lately, so I thought maybe they needed to be shared! I look forward to any comments, whether I know you or not!
Be fruitful and multiply!
Doula Tiffany

Tip of the Day Tuesday-On Wednesday

Yesterday was such a crazy day, that before I knew it I was getting ready for bed, and realized I hadn't blogged!! So we'll just call this a "Special Edition" :)

This weeks tip is all about taking care of your body while you are pregnant! Nutrition and Fitness! Far too often, we think of pregnancy as an excuse to slack off a little bit, as far as our body is concerned. It's just easier to eat whatever you want and maybe skip your daily exercise regimen, because no one will say you've let yourself go if your pregnant. Well this could be doing more harm than good. Statistics show that maintaining a healthy diet and espeically exercise, during your pregnancy can lead to a shorter labor. And you certainly feel much better during labor if you are in good shape. Below are some of the studies that have been done regarding the link between a healthy pregnancy and easier labors!

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/exercise-during-pregnancy-myth-vs-fact

http://www.babycenter.com/0_seven-great-benefits-of-pregnancy-exercise_7864.bc?page=1

http://www.babycenter.com/0_seven-principles-of-eating-well-during-pregnancy_3561.bc?page=1

Moms at Risk

New Moms at Risk - ABC News
abcnews.go.com
Why are a growing number of American moms dying shortly after giving birth?

This is not meant to scare anyone, just to inform you.
I hope that women start to understand the risks that come with unneccesary interventions. This is just too sad.

Tip of the Day Tuesday-What to do with a Posterior Cervix

Has your doctor/midwife told you that you have a posterior cervix? Or have they asked you to ball up both fists and put them under your back while they check you? Then you might have a posterior cervix (especially if you said yes to the first question :) )

Not to worry! There are exercises to do to help aid in turning it the right way. This will really only work if you already have a little baby belly! The exercise is called abdominal lifting. Pretty self explanatory huh?! If you will spend 10-15 minutes a day before you go into labor, it will begin to help your cervix turn. If you begin the exercise when you go into labor, it will be more beneficial.

What to do daily:
Lock your hands together under your belly right above the pubic bone. lift your belly until you can feel the relief of pressure. This will slowly help your cervix rotate into the correct positioning.
What to do in labor:
At the beginning of each contraction, lock your fingers together right above the pubic bone. You should feel quite a bit of pressure and stress taken off of your back and belly. If you hold it until the contraction is over, you will have given your cervix enough time to get into the correct position, and your baby enough time to move into a position that holds your cervix in place! If you do this for several contractions, it should work like a charm!
If you find that your contractions are too intense to do this yourself, you can have your partner or Doula stand behind you with a rebozo and do the lifting for you, while you concentrate on moving your baby down!
Anyone else have tips they'd like to share, or tips they'd like answers to? Let me know and I'll be happy to help!
Be fruitful and multiply!
Smiles,
Doula Tiffany

Workshop Complete

This weekend was exhausting. The good kind of exhausting. I completed the DONA workshop for Doula certification. It was the last thing on my list, other than 3 births, before becoming Tiffany Fleming CD(DONA)! Woohoo! I did get certification as Tiffany Fleming, LSP, so that's good. I didn't leave empty handed.
So if you are pregnant, and just happen to stumble onto my blog, and would like a Doula, PLEASE let me know! I would love to help give you the opportunity to have a Doula.
I will spend a little more time later talking more about the workshop, things I learned, and where I'm going with it! Have a happy Monday evening!
Be fruitful and multiply,
Doula Tiffany

Good Saturday morning. As I sit here typing this blog, Jack Johnson's "Banana Pancakes" is playing on my computer. I think the lyrics say something about a ukelele and then, "Momma made a baby." I love that line. I am Tiff's older sister and two months post home delivery. I had such a great experience with my home birth and am now an advocate for home or birthing centers. Upon my decision to deliver at home I received a lot of "whatchu talkin' bout Willis" looks, and "are you completely whack?" comments and I embraced all with open arms and a definitive YES! Our precious Lauryl has been such a blessing and the first few months of life have been so different from what I experienced with my previous two births. I had my first two kids in the hospital, both with traditional methods. This time around I decided to educate myself a little better and make the decision based on my findings. The more I studied, the more I realized that home birth was the choice for me. I loved the fact that I was not rushed to deliver, but instead allowed to let my body take its "natural time.' Now don't get me wrong, about halfway through I was ready for that 'natural time' to speed up a little but it was all good in the end. Anyway, God created a woman's body to do amazing things and I knew that it was the strength he gave me that would allow me to do that. I am so thankful for someone sharing the option of home birth with me and so thankful for people like Tiff who are dedicated to making natural birth doulable:) Have a great day! Peace Out

Tip of the Day Tuesday

Tip of the Day:
ASK QUESTIONS!

I really can't stress enough how important it is to educate yourself on labor and birthing. It is so unfortunate to hear stories of women who were told one thing by their doctor and just believed them without a second opinion or researching it for themselves, or even asking the doctor why they are suggesting certain measures to be taken. Most of the time, these women were given unnecessary interventions and, in turn, less than desirable birth memories. Don't get me wrong. I am NOT anti doctor. AT ALL! I do, however, think there are doctors out there that are looking for a way to bring a baby into the world, in whatever way is most convenient for them, not the mom. As smart as doctors are, your body knows you better and knows what it needs to do to birth your baby. Try to not let the intimidation factor keep you from asking your doctor or midwife, questions that you really want and need to know. This time in your life is all about you and your baby and you DESERVE to have complete peace of mind about it. Here are some helpful questions to ask if you always seem to draw a blank at your appointments.
*What their Cesarean rate is
*Their views on fetal monitoring
*How they feel about catching the baby from different laboring positions (ie: squatting, standing, dangling, etc)
*How long do they let you labor before they think you are failing to progress
These are just a few. If anyone has others that they can think of, please feel free to leave your tips in the comments!
Have a great Tuesday everyone!
Go be frutiful and multiply!
Doula Tiffany

Benefits of Choosing a Natural Birth

Question:
What are the benefits of natural birth?

Answer:
There are many benefits of natural birth for mother and baby, including a lower rate of cesarean birth and a faster recovery. Natural birth allows women to move freely and choose any position for labor and birth.
Natural birth can take place in a hands and knees position, standing, squatting or in a tub of water. Laboring without medication makes the birth process easier on the baby, which is reflected by healthier ranges of the baby's heart tones and less fetal distress. There are also fewer episiotomies when women are giving birth without medication. Natural birth costs much less and provides better results than medicated birth, surgical procedures and recovery room time.

I'm sold! :)

Many times I just assume that pregnant women have educated themselves and already know the information and benefits of natural childbirth. However, I am finding out more and more that this is not the case. Alot of women only go off of what they have been told by family or friends or tv/movies, which would scare me too, if I didn't know any better. I attended a Child Birth Education class with a couple that didn't really understand the whole process, but were just ruled by the fear of pain. Our instructor handled the situation quite nicely and explained to them the process and how beautiful and amazing that process is, because it's how God designed our bodies to work. They were completely amazed when she finished explaining it to them. The best part.....she did still acknowledge that there would be painful moments, but they didn't seem to be ruled by that fear anymore. Beautiful!

Credits Completed!

As of last night I have complete all of my Childbirth Education hours. I am one step closer to being a CERTIFIED Doula!!
Honestly though, I may choose to go to more of these classes for fun and extra knowledge. In my opinion, you can never know TOO much. I want to be able to recite birth knowledge in my sleep. Well maybe not my sleep, but you get the picture.
I have learned so much from these classes. Last nights class REALLY was super helpful. It was the comfort measures class and focused on different way to keep mommy comfortable and happy while laboring. I even got to practice with a girl who's hubby couldn't make it to class. What awesome hands on experience! I feel like i'm getting smarter, better and more confident every day! Hallelujah!!
Be fruitful and multiply,
Doula Tiffany

Tip of the Day Tuesday

In an effort to have interesting and clever posts, I am going to try having some alliteration in my titles...we'll see how it goes!

Tuesdays Tip of the Day: Helping with back pain
This one has been on my mind since a girl I went to college with wrote on her blog that she was experiencing alot of back pain with her pregnancy. Several people wrote comments that they had the same thing. Sooo, this is the tip I gave her and will hopefully be useful to all of you tired backed mommies!

*Hip Squeeze
This can either be done by rebozo or your partner.
If it's done by your partner, simply get on all fours and have your partner squeeze with a lot of pressure on your hips to relieve the pressure from your back. This can be done by hand, but if you need it for an extended period of time, they may want to do it with their knees.
If it's done with rebozo, mom will sit with rebozo (or shawl) around your hips. Your partner will pull on the rebozo, squeezing the hips together. This counter-pressure may relieve the back pain by releasing pressure on the ligaments in the pelvis.
*Knee Press
Mom will sit in a chair that is braced against a table or a wall so it won't slide. Sit up straight, with hips against the back of the chair. Your partner will kneel, cupping their hands over moms knee caps. Have them lock elbows into your body while leaning forward into moms knees. The partners weight presses the long thigh bones into the hip joint to relieve pain in moms back.

I hope these tips are helpful and would love to get feedback on what works for you!
Go be fruitful and multiply!
Happy Tuesday,
Doula Tiffany

A Plan

Last night Daniel and I had the pleasure of being guests at a different small group than we normally attend on Wednesday nights. And WOW what an experience. I really feel like I experienced what it's like to have an "aha" moment of what God is doing in your life. I commented last night how amazing it was to see how He put that group, and our group that we normally go to, together. It's like the perfect mix of where people are in their lives. It really reassured me even more that my "new adventure", as I keep calling it, is exactly where I'm supposed to be. In times when I feel overwhelmed by the fact that I'm trying to be led instead of leading myself, it comforts me to know there is something bigger than me and that, really, I have no say in it at all! I know this isn't a typical Doula type post, but I do want people that stumble across it or read it daily to know this is why I am doing this. Hopefully others will be comforted by that just as much as I am!

On another note, I have been practicing massage techniques and birthing positions with my trooper of a husband! The massage part he likes, the other stuff, not so much. But, he helps me anyway. So when you are in labor and I help alleviate some of your pain, you can thank him instead of me, because I wouldn't be that experienced at it if it weren't for him!
Just thought I'd give everyone a little something to chuckle at on this lovely Thursday morning!
Now go be fruitful and multiply!!!! :)

Smiles,
Doula Tiffany

Welcome To My Adventure

So here we go! I have been so excited to "promote" this new path I am taking! Probably most people that are reading this, are people that know me already. However, in the event that you are not one of those people, let me take some time to tell you a little bit about myself, and how I got to where I am.

My name is Tiffany Fleming, I am 27 year old wife of almost 5 years, to a most wonderful fellow! He is a huge reason I am starting this new adventure. Great support never hurt anyone!

I graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2005 with a degree in Communications. Daniel and I were married one week after I graduated and I promptly moved down to Aggie Land while my hubby completed his senior year at Texas A&M. After he graduated he found a great job in Dallas as a Marketing and Advertising Manager. I have been working in an administrative position for the same company for almost 4 years. We have been very blessed to have worked for a family company that allows its employees to put family above all else.

As I have gotten a little older, and quite a bit more focused, I have slowly realized that I am being called to do something big. It has taken a couple of years to realize what that was, but here I am now, becoming a Doula. Even as a little girl, I always was enamored with the older girls at church that were pregnant, and then my sisters, and now my friends. It has always been miraculous to me, the way God made a woman's body to carry and nourish a baby, and eventually, when the time is right, to birth it. The more I have studied and read and studied some more, the more amazing it is to me. All of the parts and pieces of conception, pregnancy and birth just completely astound me!

The idea to become a Doula came to me because of a friend that found something about me that she wanted in her labor. As I started learning more about how a constant companion in labor and birth can completely change a families outlook on it, the more clear it became to me that this is what I am being called to do. So, I am beginning this new phase in life with great excitement! The cheesy side of me likes to compare the birth of your baby, to the birth of my new journey. :)
Either way, I am excited for this.

As of right now, I have the classroom hours and the required readings fulfilled. However, I will probably read them all again for fun! I will complete the DONA sponsored workshop in March which will fulfill everything I need except 3 births. Until I complete those 3 births and have a certificate in my hand, I cannot charge. So now is the time to book me! I will update this often, with updates on my certification information, availability, and eventually fees, so please keep checking back. Also please feel free to leave a comment as I'm eager to hear from people!
You can also visit my facebook page under DFW Doula!