Tonight I meet with a majority of my Alabama clients.  Since I serviced many military families only a handful are left.  I have a feeling I will get emotional.  This get together includes, my first Bama baby, my first VBAC, my first and my first precipitous labor.  I hope to post pictures soon :)

Tonight is not the first time I have had a "nesting session" right before a client delivers.  Something is in the air, I feel it.  Maybe it's because I spent some time with momma yesterday and as I talked to her little boy, he transferred a sense over to me.  It does seem to happen with mommas I visit often.

Next week at 6:30 at Mama Mochas in Auburn Alabama there will be a group of mommas, doulas and birth junkies alike to share birth stories and experiences.

Also if you are looking for a doula but I have no availability we have a new doula.  Trina.  She grew up in our area but took a journey with her husband while he was in the Army.  Everyone knows how being the new person in town (even if it used to be home) can make you feel a little lost.  I want to welcome her.  Go say hi.
http://www.atranquiljourney.com/

I will begin taking clients again starting late spring.  Filling up fast.  Visited with my October baby tonight.  She is a doll and I will always think of her as my snow white baby because she reminds me of what an infant snow white would look like.  She's so chill and sweet as well.  I was in love.  Her momma was so kinda and got me Angel ornaments for my tree which was funny because I had just told her how much I liked her tree because I collect ornaments from different parts of my life, trips, events, ect.  Little Willow will always be remembered every Christmas for sure.  Looking forward to watching her grow up into a little lady.

It upsets me but it's the way my life is going now.  I have had to get a part time job.  I start nursing school next semester and judging the complaining I hear day in and day out, I am going to need 100% of my time to study and can't miss class.  As of December I am no longer taking on clients as contracted clients.  I will however do "On Call" and if I attend your birth I will only charge my deposit of 200$. 

 I am building up my site to list other doulas and trying to add postpartum doulas.  Pray for me as I give up something I truly love.  Boo!!

Today Joanne Santana taught us about the stages of labor and how to determine baby's position. 

I seem to get a lot of OP babies, so I was happy to learn that squatting was indeed a good way to help baby out but that you must help mom control the speed so that she does not tear.

Our 2nd class of the day we palpated fanny the dummy doll.  This was an experience.  When it was my turn I got my baby completely upside down.  Honestly it didn't feel like a real belly to me lol.  Anyways my baby was breech when I thought baby was ROA.

The 3rd class we got to practice on real mommas.  I measured fundal height, checked fetal heart tones and guessed baby's position.

Ina May showed up for dinner.  It was a nice surprise because there were rumors that something was amiss. 

The first class we had was on what to expect from a midwife assistant.  This is where we got to see what a typical midwifes bag contained.  We learned about labor support and comfort measures.

Midwife assistants are expected to be compassionate, reliable, and not pushy or loud.  We are expected to represent the midwife we work for.

This is where we learned a few tricks of the trade like intradermal water blocks (my friend Lisa has done this) to confuse the pain receptors.  We also talked about Blue Cohosh to enhance labor, Shepard’s purse to stop bleeding and borage oil to soften the cervix.  The most famous thing we learned in that class was the Twatcicle.  A Twatcicle is a ice pad with arnica gel applied.  It really helps heal the perineum.

We also practiced taking vitals on each other, like blood pressure, heart rate and respiration.

We also spent the majority of the day learning how to sterilize our midwifes equipment and all about sterile field. 

The Farm, where do I start?  I can't find my note book right this second so I will try and go from complete memory

Day 1 or should I say Day 0.  I was so excited I showed up a day early thinking I was late.  That night they had a BBQ Vegan style and I met Donna and Dani. 

Dani- When I first met Danni I thought she was beautiful.  Positive energy just radiate from her.  Totally a free spirit. 

Donna-  I liked her right away, she was just as nervous as I was.  We were both excited and wowed by the farm.

This was the night I learned to carry my flash light and that my cell phone was a lost cause.  The crickets and frogs were amazing and sang me to sleep and for the first time in years I saw lightening bugs.  I was so giddy and ready to meet the rest of the ladies the next day.

Check back later for Day 1 :-)