M.'s first prenatal meeting

I had my first prenatal appointment with M. this morning. M. is in her 3rd trimester, and pregnant with her first child. She's living with her husband and dog in a very picturesque part of town, in a cute little house. Before the birth, they're planning to move into a new house, in one of the suburbs of Jerusalem.

M. called me up a few weeks ago, after she found my name on the internet. She wanted to know all about my services as a doula, and how I would be able to help her with a natural birth.
I told her how I feel about birth, that is it a natural process, and that I am trained in methods such as reflexology, shiatsu and massage that can help her get through the birthing process. I also explained that I see my role first and foremost as a calming presence at the birthing scene.
We set up an initial interview meeting, and M. and her husband decided to hire me for the birth.

So today was the first official prenatal meeting, and the second time I went over to M's cute little house. Together we filled in the client questionnaire, which has questions about general health and the pregnancy, and also how she views my role as a doula.
She told me that her husband would be her main support, and she wants me to support them both, to be an adviser, and also to write down the details of the birth such as at what time the waters broke, at what time she started pushing, and things like that.

I think that M. is very well prepared for her birth. She has read books like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Birthing From Within. Both are books that talk about natural birth, and are very empowering and informative.
It is not often that I get clients that have read up on birth so well. Usually they read the more standard pregnancy book which name I won't mention here because I don't want to give them any publicity.

Because M. is so prepared, it didn't take us long to put together a birth plan, something that often takes me more than 1 prenatal meeting. This means that we've got all of the next prenatal meeting to do something else. We are considering a nice prenatal massage.

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The street festival

I just came back from a Jerusalem street festival. The organizers had arranged for a booth with alternative treatments, which was run by the school where I study, Reidman College.
Reidman provided students who gave short massages, reflexology, and shiatsu treatments. I was one of the volunteer students, and I gave women short 10 minute reflexology treatments and pregnancy massage. I was hoping for lots of pregnant women to practice my new massage routine on and to put out some advertising for my doula business, but strangely enough there were hardly any pregnant women! It often seems as if every other woman in Jerusalem is pregnant, and birth is a huge business here, but for some reason pregnant women just did not walk through that specific street!

Luckily there was pregnant lady who wanted a massage, and I gave her a nice back and arm rub. In pregnancy, the only thing you need to be careful of are specific points that are in connection with the uterus, that are known for causing contractions. If you want to induce labor or make contractions stronger during labor, stimulating those points can be very beneficial. But during the pregnancy itself, you have to be careful not to touch those points because they might cause preterm labor.

The massage took about 10 minutes, and my lady seemed to really enjoy it. After the treatment, I gave her my business card. She is due in 2 weeks and my agenda is already fully booked for then, but she was going to give my card to her pregnant neighbors. Who knows, maybe I'll get new clients through her! The best form of advertisement is still word of mouth, and I am counting on that.

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What to pack for the hospital?

Here is a list of things I suggest you take with you to the hospital when you give birth.

For labor

• The notes from your course
• Pregnancy passport
  
• ID
• Robe, slippers (that can get wet)
• Favorite music with portable cd/tape player
• Drinks, water
• Food: dried fruits, fruits, energy bars, sandwiches (for mom and for dad)
  
• Change of money
• Washcloth
• Chap stick
• Personal items: pillow, pictures
• Mouthwash/toothbrush
• Lens case, eye glasses
• Warm socks
• List of phone numbers of people to notify of the birth, in order of importance
• Hair band, snood
• Camera/video + batteries
• Disposable underwear
• Sidur/tehillim

Post Partum

• Nightgown(s)
• Mega pads
• Nursing bras
• Nursing pads
• Nipple cream
• Breastfeeding book
• Breastfeeding pillow
• Toiletries
• Homecoming outfit (maternity size)

For the baby

• Onesie
• Overall OR shirt, pants with footies (or separate socks)
• Receiving blanket or thick blanket, depending on the season
• Hat
• Baby car seat!!!

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The childbirth preparation course

Today I had an appointment with R. and her husband. R. is 35 weeks pregnant with her first child, and has decided to hire me as a doula.
When R. first contacted me, she was already too far along in her pregnancy to register for a childbirth preparation course, so I offered to give her a private course. Today we had our second meeting.
We talked about the routine hospital procedures, and about all the possible interventions. I always try to give a view that is as balanced as possible and based on actual research, so the couple can make well balanced decisions about their birth management.
My goal is to prepare R. and her husband for the realities of giving birth in Jerusalem, and how to best cope with it. Next time, we are going to focus on relaxation, movements and positions, and breathing.

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Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog!

I will introduce myself. My name is Michal Levy, and I am a birth doula.
I am 29 years old, married, and I have 3 very sweet kids.
We live in Jerusalem, Israel.

I will be writing about my life as a doula and an alternative therapist.

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