What I learned at my first birth

Bailey Baldwin • February 14, 2024

My first birth as a doula

Being present at the beginning of a life is an honor beyond compare.

Having a family choose me to be a part of this journey and their baby's birth story is incredible.

Yes, I have skills and knowledge to offer. But, I learn a great amount from the family as well.

I recently had my first experience as a doula during a labor. It was long, intense and amazing. I was able to witness this new life and the two beautiful people become first time parents. During the hours of labor, I supported this family in maintaining their goals within the pace of the hospital setting. They were also cared for by several inspiring providers (nurses and midwives). My training came into play while I did massage, offered position changes, advocated for their wishes, provided counterpressure and encouraged nutrition.

There was so much awe within the labor and birth process. The power of witnessing a new life come earth side, take his first breaths and hear the first cries was astonishing. The faces of the new parents as they gazed that their perfect little baby was so wonderful.

I learned so much from this first client. She taught me what perseverance is. She confirmed my knowledge of the pure, raw and primal power of the female body. Even after labor took its toll on her energy and spirit. Her faith in herself and God gave her what she needed. And her birth team's faith in her and birth itself.

I learned so much from the hospital care team. I learned a new position, a capability of the fancy hospital bed. I learned more about physiologic birth and that time is your friend. I was able to be guided through this natural birth and unlearn some of my bias to discover the beauty in the process.

I will never stop learning about birth and the purely incredible human body. This passion is deep within me and I am so grateful to have found this avenue of serving families in this truly transformational time of life.

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Hormones in Labor

By Bailey Baldwin • May 3, 2024

Labor involves a cascade of hormones. These hormones, when the birthing person remains calm and feels safe, can create a smooth labor process. The birth team and environment can support this by helping the birthing person feel loved, cared for. When fear creeps in, the catecholamines work in opposition to the oxytocin. The catecholamines can come from many things like unresolved fears or concerns, a strange environment, past trauma, a change in circumstance. Also of note, when labor is induced or augmented with a synthetic form of oxytocin, like Pitocin, the body may experience an increased pain sensation. Since the Pitocin was not produced by the body, it does not cross the blood brain barrier in the same way. This affects how the body responds with endorphins, which may lead to a need for increased external pain relief. Birth is unpredictable, but the innate trust in the birthing person's abilities, the birth process and the support of the birth team can lead to incredible experiences.