The Waiting Game - Part Two

I know that 9 months can seem to fly by until the last week or so - then each day seems to drag waiting for that first signal of labor.  Not only is the expectant couple in anticipation but so are their family and friends, workmates and neighbors.  Everyone it seems needs to check in and see if there are any signs of labor.

But the waiting game I was thinking about today is in the life of a doula.  It starts with that first phone call or e-mail or text that says "today might be the day".  If it is not an urgent message, then the doula has time to figure out how to rearrange her day - is there mail to be sent - messages to be returned - appointments to be rescheduled - backup to be alerted - laundry to finish - etc, etc.

It may seem that this waiting time can be very productive - but in fact - it is usually not time well spent. Sometimes it is much harder to be by a phone waiting for the signal to head out - than to be sitting in a labor room.  Why?  Because when you are at home - you really don't have a sense as to how strong the contractions are, how the family are handling them, if they are in the hospital already - what is the medical team presenting to them?  You don't know if you'll have time to make it to the store - keep an appointment - or take a nap.

Being on alert can be exhausting.  Have you seen runners in a race at the starting block - in that tense starting pose - waiting to hear the starting gun go off?  Sometimes that is how a doula can feel - when will I be needed?  How long will I be needed?  Will things suddenly change before I get there?  What is happening now - when it has been several hours since you've had an update. Are there suggestions I can make over the phone - or reminders of signals to watch out for that labor is progressing?

The hardest job of a doula - is being on call - but not in the midst of the labor.  However, I will say that ask any doula if they would like to have another job?  And they will answer quickly - NO.  We love our job - the waiting game is just a way for doulas to develop patience, which is needed for birth.  Thanks for listening - now it's back to waiting for that phone call to head out.....