I Did It!

Last night I taught my first pre-natal class, or at least one hour of it, at the health unit. I was very well prepared this time (and prayed a lot before going) and I did it! I taught the class, and I wasn't even nervous once I started talking. Besides forgetting my whole train of thought with the fear-pain-tension cycle, I think I covered everything I had wanted to cover. Amy was great, she said she thought it was well received and that they learned some good stuff from me. It felt awesome!

It was fun getting them all down on the floor and teaching them some comfort measures for labour. I hope that they can remember some of the ideas when they get to that point. I showed them how to breathe (sounds difficult, I know), what kind of vocalization to use, relaxation, massage techniques, positions for labour, using the birth ball and everything else I could think of. I may even end up getting another client out of it.

Client #2 of my May clients is due today. This is also the day that Joel started his long week of work (96 hours in 7 days), yikes. Also my middle-of-the-night sitter is away this weekend on a motorcycle trip. Let's just say I'm trying to figure out what to do with the kids if I get a call, and I'm also doing lots of praying that this all works out. This will be my 16th birth and I have yet to miss a birth. I think that would be a really tough thing to handle, but I suppose it may just happen sometime. I always encourage my clients to hire a backup doula, but generally they say if they can't have me there, they will manage without a doula and choose not to hire backup. It's all in the Lord's hands, so now I just have to trust Him.

Life continues to be busy. I wonder if I would even like to take on more clients at this time. I would really like to take July and August off from births because I think I need a break from wearing this pager and constantly wondering who will take care of my kids if I get the call. I can't imagine how awesome it will be when I don't have to worry about that anymore (which is obviously a long way off...but will indeed happen someday :) Then I could actually take on more clients then I do right now. Generally I only take on one client a month, because I find that's pretty much all I can handle (physically and emotionally with the stresses that come with the job). It's very exhausting to give yourself fully to a couple for what can be many MANY hours. At the last birth I was sitting on the birth ball beside her bed, pushing on her back during contractions, and actually falling asleep with my head on the bed in between (while she slept as well). Can you say EXHAUSTED?? I'm grateful that client #2 has held on this long so I had time to recover.

I received a wonderful tip from client #1- a gift certificate for our local spa in town (which I've never been to). Talk about a perfect gift for a doula, since we spend hours and hours giving massage, and comforting our clients. It will be my turn :) I can't wait! But, I'm not going to book the appointment until baby #2 has been born. I don't want to risk getting a call in the middle of my pedicure that's for sure!

Joel and I have been ships passing in the night for months now. It's starting to wear on both of us. June will be busy now for him as he plans another boys' camping trip, so that's why I'm really looking forward to the summer. When these babies are all born, we're going out on a DATE! Just the two of us, no pagers, and lots of time to talk and hang out. We've found a wonderful new babysitter from the kid's school who is incredibly polite (she calls me Mrs. Siebert!), sweet, leaves the house clean and the kids adore her. What more could you ask for -don't ask me her name, I don't want anyone stealing her from me :) (heehee).

Anyway, that's the update here. This weekend we're laying low. I'll be hanging out with Mom S. on Sunday since Dad's going away so that'll be great. At least we won't be alone on Sunday. Next weekend is the big Clinton Spring Fair. It's a real blast! The boys go to the demolition derby on Friday night and the girls are going to watch a Barbie movie (oh, I can't wait :) Saturday is the parade, magic show and the midway. It's going to be a blast.

Lots to do, and lots to look forward to.

Mel