01/11/2024                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            So… what happens during the rare + unfortunate occasion that I can’t make it to a birth??? ☹️
Read below, because that’s exactly what happened this past week. ⬇️
Sweet Baby Ella May was welcomed earthside yesterday morning! 🎀👶🏻
Her mama texted me Tuesday night at 11:11 pm (magical timing ✨) to inform me she was having contractions. Unfortunately, my household had been hit with the stomach flu on Monday, which meant I was not going to be able to make it in person. 😷
So what happens then? What’s the game plan??? After talking to my client; we settled on the plan of virtual support with me trying my absolute best to find a back up doula! You may be wondering, who pays the back up doula? As stated in my contract, in the event where this may happen, all costs and expenses of a back up doula are covered by me! 
I reached out to 4 local BisMan doulas + 2 doulas in Dickinson, and asked if any of them would be willing to be tagged in. While waiting for a response from the doulas, I virtually supported this laboring mama from my home, texting what positions/methods to try next, sending affirmations + a playlist of music. At about 6 AM, one of the Dickinson doulas, which is the phenomenal  , answered me + told me she was on her way! I continued virtual support, updating both my client + Mary along the way. Once Mary got to the hospital, I let her take over + work her doula magic!
A little over an hour after Mary arrived at the hospital, this sweet girl was born! My client had the goal of a pitocin-free, pain-med-free hospital birth and SHE DID IT! This mama is so, so strong 💪🏼 She rolled with the punches of being virtually supported, plans changing + was an absolute superhero through it all!👏🏼✨🙌🏼
Mary was the absolute BEST backup doula! (pun intended 😉) She drove all the way from Dickinson to Bismarck to cover for me + updated me as often as she could. Mary + I had both attended the same doula training, so I had personally witnessed her abilities as a doula. I had no doubt my client was in amazing hands. I am forever so, so grateful for Mary! 👏🏼💕