Every person I encountered in the grocery store, bank, Target, day care, really anywhere I went, made some comment about how gigantic my belly was, so I knew I was getting close to the end of my fourth pregnancy. This wasn’t my first rodeo, so I had plenty of whitty comebacks for the lovely people who decided to comment on my physique, but what I didn’t have any answer question some sweet grandmother asked while cooing at my two year old… “honey, what on earth are you going to do with all of these other children while you’re in labor?!?”
Crap. I had been avoiding this because I really couldn’t come up with a solution. At this point I was thinking my dog, who is of legal age, would probably be our best bet for a reliable sitter during labor. Several friends had offered to watch the kids, but one was out of town around my due date, one said I would have to bring the kids to her if it happened in the middle of the night, one was available, just not Thursday through Sunday, or Tuesday’s between 4 and 9pm. I appreciate everyone reaching out to help, but things aren’t that helpful if they make my already chaotic life feel more hectic.
Then, like a gift from the heavens above, my good friend from California called with a solution: a sibling doula.
Sibling doula? What? I had heard of a labor and postpartum doula, but never a sibling doula.
Turns out, a sibling doula will be on call for you just like a regular doula, but instead of going with you to the birth, she stays with your kids. The amazing doulas at Chesapeake Birth and Baby will actually come to your house, whenever you call, and stay with your children while you are in labor.
I have a bunch of kids, so at first I was a little skeptical; how can someone be available around the clock for me, and will they be willing to deal with all of these children? Well, they will, and they’ll be amazing at it.
When I spoke with Danielle and Megan they assured me that they could handle all of my kids, and their various needs. Danielle and Megan came to my house for a prenatal appointment where we chatted about all the things, and unknowns that surround a whole bunch of children and an impending labor. They got to know our children, and I showed them around the house. When I finally went into labor at 2am (why does it always happen that way?) I gave them a call to let them know things had started. Megan came to my house in the middle of the night when I was ready to leave for the hospital, and I knew my kids were in good hands. After the baby was born, my husband stayed with me for several hours, so we could enjoy the time of just the three of us, Megan told me to take our time, that the children were doing well.
I truly do not know how we would have done it without the sibling doulas at Chesapeake Birth and Baby! They were extremely reliable, amazing with my children, and they even checked in on me after I was home with the baby to see how everyone was doing. I have them to thank for a smooth transition into life with four children.
-JoyAnna