I’m a pretty independent woman. With the right research and preparation, I’m not afraid to tackle anything, and I likely won’t ask for help. That’s the same attitude I had going into childbirth. I knew that I wanted a natural birth due to my research on interventions, and I’d read a couple of books in preparation for the birth.
My husband and I also attended Delilah’s childbirth class, which proved to be educational and inspirational. We loved Delilah’s frank and open approach to natural childbirth, and her words stuck with us as we faced the final few weeks of pregnancy—but being the naïve first-time mom that I was, I didn’t see a need to have a doula for the big day.
Long story short, I went into labor on Christmas night, and by the clock timer, my contractions indicated that by 10am the next morning I was ready to head to the hospital. So I did, and couldn’t believe that I was only one centimeter dilated! How could that be? I’d already been in labor for almost 12 hours and thought I was uncomfortable enough to indicate active labor.
If I wanted to continue to work towards a natural birth, the nurse told me I needed to go home and labor more on my own.
Back home, my independent, courageous spirit was broken. I pleaded with my husband to “let” me have an epidural—even though I had previously made him swear not to “let” me. Always quick thinking and supportive, my husband called Delilah—the day after Christmas—and asked if she was available for last-minute doula services. THANK GOODNESS Delilah obliged.
If it weren’t for Delilah, I would not have had the support, physically and emotionally, to continue to labor at home and subsequently have the natural birth in the hospital I had so wanted.
My husband and I had the most incredible experience with my daughter’s birth, and we can’t thank Delilah enough for her time and expertise. I am now pregnant with our second child. As soon as I got that positive pregnancy test, my husband happily exclaimed, “Book Delilah NOW!”
We can’t wait to see you again soon, Delilah! – Liz