2 years ago I converted from 'the world', so to speak into my 'Faith'. As a whole, we (members of my church) do not go to doctors for anything, we rely on the Lord in all things. However, being a recent ADULT convert into this way of life, giving birth naturally after 2 sections has me terrified. I do not have any intentions of abandoning my faith. I need a strong strong doula to be there for me when my time comes.......can anyone help?

-- Sarah Capdeville (cap_de_ville@yahoo.com), May 14, 2001

Answers

Hi Sarah. I grew up in Tulsa, OK and am very fond of the city. Where is OK are you? I know of some doulas in OK so if you would email the city you live in and your zip code I will see what I can do for you. It sounds like you have quite a challenge ahead of you. So do you have a midwife? In your faith is a midwife permissable? I'd like to hear more about the details of your birth plan. I am assuming a home birth vs a birthing center. What is your current religious affiliation? Doulas and midwives attend many births for Menonite, Amish and Jahovah Witness believers. It sounds like you need someone experienced first in VBACs then homebirth would be great. Where as you are seeking someone who is going to be respectful of your religious beliefs, please go easy on any that may decline due to possible implications on themselves as well. There is a lot of responsibility taken on when someone decides to support a birth where there is no possibility of transporting to a hospital if something goes wrong. I am a Christian and totally understand the need to keep your faith at all costs. Also, it is important to know why you had c-sections each of the previous times. A copy of your medical records would be very helpful. Where as c-sections are performed entirely too often, there is actually about 6% of births that really do need them for the sake of mother and baby. I am not implying that you should leave that open as a possibility. Only you can make that decision. It is, however crucial information that anyone assisting your delivery will need to know. By the way, if you are wanting an unassisted delivery (no midwife present) then you may not find a doula to help you. Most will not attend unassisted deliveries in optimal circumstances, let alone a VBA2C. Good luck and God Bless!

Tricia L. Saxbury, CD (AmDN) Babysteps@americandoulanetwork.com Baby Steps Birthing Solutions (Central MO)

-- Tricia Saxbury (babysteps@americandoulanetwork.com), May 28, 2001.

Sarah, I am in Duncan, Ok. I have traveled a bit before for clients. Where are you at? I am also interested in if you are "allowed" a midwife. I just had a homebirth with a midwife and 2 doulas a bit over 2 months ago and it was great. Here is my birth story if you want to read it for inspiration. http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/1stimestar/Birthstory.html

Anyways, email me if you are intested. Good luck! Georganne

-- Georganne Hampton (georgi@simplynet.net), December 06, 2001.

Hi Sarah, I just wanted to point out that scripture supports midwives. They are mentioned several times in Genesis, including the midwives who disobeyed Pharoh by not killing the Israelite babies at birth. And remember, they were blessed because of that. So it would seem that midwifery should be OK according to the Bible.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 14, 2002.

I just wanted to let you know that I have the same religious beliefs as you. I have had 2 children in the hospital, but a year ago I was baptised. I hope to have more children and will want them to be born at home. I just wanted to wish you all the luck in the world. I will be praying for you and your baby, and I know that God will be with you.

-- Della Spradlin (d.spradlin@caneyisd.org), January 24, 2003.

Well it's been a couple of years now. I am wondering how it went. If you ever check back here, let us know. Georganne

-- Georganne Hampton (georgi@simplynet.net), June 24, 2003.