29 weeks – Doula October 28, 2009

I’m happy to say that we’ve selected our doula.  We’re going with the woman, Ellen, who was recommended to us by our friends.  Apparently, she’s the uber-doula of the greater Philly area, having trained or supported several of the other doulas that we talked with.  She also spent a decade or so as a labor & delivery nurse before switching to being a doula.  The most important thing, though, is the grandma vibe she gives off.  You know the one… warm, cozy, comfy, supportive, and a teeny bit of pushiness around the edges.  Just right for comforting me during labor and pushing me to remember that I really CAN do this.  She also clicked with Pete, which is huge, because she’s going to have to support him too.  Yep, that’s right – he’s going to have to be there for the whooooooole thing.  No getting off the hook for him! <evil laugh>

Anyway, it was an interesting process of interviewing women.  I talked with about 8 women on the phone and we interviewed 4.  They were all pretty different from each other.  I can see, though, why they recommend having the interview.  The person with which I had the most in common (Quakerism, Maine connection, Boston connection, etc.) turned out not to be a good fit for me.  Not because she’s not a nice person but because it just wasn’t the right match of personalities.  I have a feeling that we may need someone with a strong personality at some point during the labor process and I think we found it in Ellen.

Now, on to selecting a pediatrician and a day care provider… dang!  And I thought all the work came after the kid was here!!