The Doula Effect

 

 

 

If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.
~ John H. Kennell

 

        3 men in Pronita’s Life

It was one of those times where, what I called “the Doula Effect” happened. I was getting my things together after a Saturday evening class…( 16th of January 2010 ) when Pronita walked in, and just plopped herself in a chair. She was so ready to have her second baby. I was there for the birth of the first one. We got talking and she said she remembered that my being there had helped… so would I be there for this time.

Did I want to be there .. absolutely. Foggy Delhi in January so all I wanted was a ride when ever she needed me. A week later, I got a message from the father to be that they had been in the hospital all night and that would it be ok for me to come…so car arrived and I got to the hospital at 7:30 am. The doctor had checked and she was 5 cm at 7:15am.

Here she was lying in her bed saying ‘well even though its been a night where she could not sleep, but it was ok.’ Sometimes, when the mom is saying that.. In my head a voice is saying .. ok watch now…

Sure enough as she sat on the chair just a little after 7:40am it was just as if she was waiting for me…there was a different speed in baby time. Within the next 20 minutes she was ready to bring this baby here.

It felt as if she was waiting for me. And it feels amazing to think that. Wonderful birth, true knot in the cord, dad completely caught up and sure the mom did her thing… gave birth.