The new ACOG statement makes me so very happy. Among other new guidelines - active labor is 6cms (not 4cms) and pushing for a first time mom can be up to 3 hours before they need to start stressing. Probably my favorite part was about doulas, of course:

Published data indicate that one of the most effective tools to improve labor and delivery outcomes is the continuous presence of support personnel, such as a doula.

We knew that already, but hooray for the ACOG getting behind doula support as an effective way to lower the rates of cesareans! Go check out the article linked above, it has great information.

Conversation between E (my 7 year old daughter) and J (my 5 year old son) this evening:

J: “Mom, when I get a wife I want you to be her doula.”

E: “You don’t get to pick the doula, your wife gets to pick the doula.”

J: “Okay, but I hope she picks Mom!”

E: “Or I can, because I’m going to be a doula. Or can I take your pictures?”

J: “But Mom said she would do it for free.”

E: “I’ll do it for free, too!”

They were both in attendance at the arrival of their littlest sister, and their passionate opinions about birth make me smile.

(I promise to not pressure any future daughter-in-laws to let me attend their births. Really.)

My second birthed happened relatively fast - I knew I was in labor all day but I stalled on going to the hospital. When we finally went things kicked up fast - I had warned the midwife I anticipated a fast birth as my first labor was only 12 hours. Despite my warning, she was at home in bed when the nurse realized I meant business. Only my husband and I were in the room when I loudly announced I was pushing and a nurse came flying in to catch. The midwife was on the stairs running up when she heard our daughter cry. I had gone from 5cms to baby in my arms in about an hour, with about 5 minutes of pushing.

My daughter was asking about this story and when I explained there wasn't a midwife or OB, just her daddy and the nurse, she asked, "And your doula, right?" No, I told her - I didn't know what a doula was back then. "But you had a photographer there?" Nope, no photographer either. She was shocked! How could I not have a doula and photographer??

It makes me smile to realize how much my work influences their perception of labor. OF COURSE you had a doula there, mom, right? 😉

Conversation with my 5 year old son (J) and 7 year old daughter (E) tonight:

J: "Mom, when I get a wife I want you to be her doula."

E: "You don't get to pick the doula, your wife gets to pick the doula."

J: "Okay, but I hope she picks Mom!"

E: "Or I can, because I'm going to be a doula. Or can I take your pictures?"

J: "But Mom said she would do it for free."

E: "I'll do it for free, too!"

They decided that I can be the doula and E can do the pictures - if J's future wife agrees.

E also asked if I would be willing to be her doula, and if I am okay coming to eight births because she's going to have lots of babies. Then she shared that a friend told her giving birth hurts, so my seven year old asked if I can help her learn more about birth so she won't be scared.

I told her yes, I can help with that. 🙂