A Doula In Your Pocket – Is Better Than No Doula | Story 2

This story of virtual doula service comes from Monet Combs of Mama Magic Birth Services. Having a VBAC(Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) can be a lot of work to set up depending on what type of hospital and provider you have. VBAC families need to be very educated and determined to flow with any last minute changes, both with their body and possibly their baby. COVID-19 was just part of the unexpected that showed up last minute to these birth plans. But with good education and great doula support, this family did great!

From Monet:
When Maria and I discovered that doulas were no longer being permitted entry at her hospital due to COVID-19, we had to adapt and come up with a new game plan! She was going for a VBAC, and it was really important to her to have doula support. We over-prepared, and she was armed with knowledge and a birth plan.

She labored at home with her partner, and we checked in every so often via video chat, so I could see and hear how hard she was laboring. It was really important to get to the hospital at the right time, and having that visual was super effective. Her husband was such a wonderful support partner and they figured out which comfort measures worked for her. After several hours, I was able to tell that it was time to go!

I met her in front of the hospital and gave her my love and well wishes, and she was admitted right away at 6 cm! Perfect timing. Her partner set up the laptop with webcam capabilities in the hospital room and I was able to be an active member of the birth team. I offered information to help her and her partner make decisions as well as suggestions for labor positions and comfort measures. I was also able to help her navigate her decision of whether or not to get an epidural. Labor rolled along and though we hit some challenges during pushing, we tried everything we could think of! She did not give up and she got her VBAC – I was so proud of her!

From Maria:
“Having your input during a very challenging time really gave me my VBAC goal. I’m absolutely sure I’d end up with the epidural then another C-section if you weren’t there, even if it was through video! And your input really helped every time we needed to make a decision!” – Maria D.

@doula.monet MamaMagicBirth.com

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