My Calling

(Note: photo is not of the actual delivery in mention.)

Many of you read Facebook, so you already know that I've gotten to attend a couple of births as a doula. But I haven't posted anything about it on my blog, nor have I mentioned the amazing birth I got to be a doula for this past week.

As I've mentioned before, I am on staff at Woodwinds (hospital) now as part of the volunteer doula program. It's one of the only hospitals in the country to offer a doula to any mom in labor who desires one, free of charge. Right now there are about 35 of us on staff, and we each take approximately one 24 hour shift a month to be on call. Well, I've had 2 days where I've been on call, but hadn't been called in for a birth yet. (The one birth I had attended was for a private client, and was a very very quick labor!) I had been excited & ready to put my skills into practice while everything's fresh in my mind, especially since I know that once my baby arrives in a few months, I will probably need to take a good 4 months or so off from being a doula. I wanted some experience under my belt, and the chance to build my confidence in this field before I need to take a break for a while.

Anyway, I had just been praying about all of this, knowing that God has clearly led me to this point. He has opened door after door, and confirmed repeatedly that He has suited me for this role and brought me to this place of readiness. So I placed it in His hands. I told Him I would trust Him to provide a birth in His time, even if it wasn't my time.

And lo and behold I got a call last Tuesday from my supervisor; they needed a second doula that day (more than one mother was requesting one) and it worked out for me to come in. Thank You, Lord!

Upon my arrival, the nurse briefed me on the couple's birth stats (cm dilated, when water had broken, etc.) and also gave me a bit of their background. Said both the husband and wife were medical professionals themselves at another hospital--highly educated and very knowledgeable medically. (The husband is even a doctor himself.) For a minute I was tempted to be intimidated, as I am fairly new, but thought to myself "Well, they are asking for a doula. I know I have something to offer, and I am capable of doing a good job for them as a doula." And that was that. It turned out that they were the most wonderful couple. I was with them for 14 hours--over the span of 3 nurse shift changes, and they were so grateful that someone would stay with them throughout their entire labor. They also expressed that they didn't think the birth would have gone nearly as smoothly had they not had a doula. The husband, even though he had actually performed some deliveries himself in med school years ago, still didn't feel like he knew a lot about labor itself, or how to support his wife through it. I loved working with them as a team, helping the mother cope with contractions, and with pushing. I truly felt honored to be a part of their birth experience. And this just confirmed to me once again that God has designed me to do this--and to do it well.

What joy it brings to use your gifts to serve God, and to bless others.