03/25/2025
We recently had the privilege of supporting a birth at the Vanderbilt Birthing Center in Nashville, and let me tell you, it is a *beautiful* facility with an incredible staff. Highly recommend it! Our client has a history of long labors and this one she was in labor for 36 hours—2 of those hours were spent traveling in the car. We talked about what it must have been like for Mary, riding a donkey so far, but I digress! Not all remaining 34 hours were spent at the birth center and I feel it’s safe to say that even though it was long it wasn’t miserable as one might think. A brief overview-We checked in, took vitals, and did a vaginal check, but things stalled. So, we took a break and walked to a cute diner for breakfast. After a leisurely stroll back, we did some fun exercises to encourage that little one to make her move. We checked in again, but not much progress. So, her husband decided to get an Airbnb just a few minutes away. And it was perfect!
While we were at the Airbnb, the mom’s dad brought her daughter down to visit, and after putting her to bed, we headed to the gym. We took advantage of the elliptical, exercise ball, and bike before a long walk back. After that, she got a massage, showered, and had a bath. Contractions started picking up, so we headed back to the birth center. There, we did some very specific, and admittedly uncomfortable, positions for a laboring mom, but it worked! Baby was moving into place.
As the contractions intensified, she headed to the shower for relief (with the trusty comb, of course). It was clear she was ready to deliver, so we got the tub ready, and it was a beautiful water birth.
Now, here’s what really stuck with me. The mom looked at us during labor and said, “I feel like I am being spoiled.” To truly understand the depth of her comment, you’d have to know how traumatic her first birth was. Can you imagine feeling *spoiled* while in labor?
This is why your birth team matters. The people you choose to surround you during labor can make all the difference.
1. **Where you birth**
2. **Who you choose as your provider**
3. **And yes, even your doula.**
It’s important to understand that your provider being there for your birth isn’t a guarantee—but your doula will be.
When planning your birth, most people spend a lot of time researching where they want to give birth and who their provider will be. The level of care you receive can vary significantly depending on those choices. However, something that’s often overlooked is how crucial it is to choose the *right* doula. There are many misconceptions about what doulas do (or don’t do), and we often get lumped together with others in the field. But that's a topic for another post!
Finding the right doula for you is *crucial*.
When starting a business, you get all kinds of advice—some you take, some you leave, and some you tweak to make it fit your style. Early on, I was told to keep clients at arm’s length so that you don’t get too attached. But I’ve learned that in this line of work, it’s okay to get attached—sometimes, it’s necessary. One thing I’ve been told is that your clients will become your friends faster than your friends will become your clients. I’m happy to report that hasn’t always been the case for me (thankfully, my friends have become clients too!).
When someone trusts you enough to invite you into one of the most vulnerable, intimate, and life-changing moments of their life… well, that’s not something you can keep at arm's length. You connect on a deeper level.
Because of this, this particular mom knows I’m not a hugger, and I know that she is. After her birth, as we were lying on the bed, reflecting on the experience, she asked, “Can I hug you?” Immediately, “Yes!” And I think we both may have had a little liquid swelling in our eyes.
We prayed so hard for this mama to have the healing birth she deserved, and I’m overjoyed to share that she got it. I always knew she could do it, and now, she knows it too. It’s truly amazing what can happen when you have the right support.
