advice for doula w/mom expecting twins

greenspun.com : LUSENET : Doula.Com General Discussion : One Thread

Does anyone have any advice for helping me as a doula with two moms expecting twins? I could use any advise you have! Thanks, Denice

-- Denice Jentlie (djentlie@netscape.net), September 01, 1999

Answers

Congratulations, how fortunate to have the opportunity to support these two moms!

While I haven't supported a mother of twins before I think I'd study up on how the births are handled in your area. I had a bit of a scare at about the 28th week of my pregnancy when they thought I might have twins and the footwork I did that week was what I needed to ease my mind. Actually, it didn't ease my mind but at least I knew I needed to be okay with a high-tech birth or leaving the state. I imagine these moms would find it invaluable to have a resource as to how twin births are handled by the different careproviders and hospitals.

You could also get them info on nursing twins and on diet prenatally. They need even more protein to grow those babies big, healthy and to term.

Otherwise, just be what you are, a supportive, helpful doula!

Enjoy! Please let us know how the births go.

Kirsten

-- Kirsten Gerrish (kirsten@doula.net), September 07, 1999.


The first birth I ever attended as a doula was the birth of twins. Depending where you live, you may need to prepare the expectant mother for a highly medicalized birth. Do some research into the standard practices for multiple births in your area. You might also want to look at extending the period of time that you would normally spend with a mother immediately after delivery (I would recommend at least 3-4 hours). She will be particularly overwhelmed with delivering and caring for TWO babies, especially if she is planning to breastfeed.

-- Shawna Douglas (shawna@doula.net), January 24, 2001.

Denice,

You may have already gone to this birth, but maybe this will help others.

I just experienced my first twin birth. It was not highly medicalized, at least in comparison to some births I've seen. This mom was really committed to going natural. She ate great, kept swimming throughout her pregnancy, and educated herself on the best ways to make her pregnancy and birth safe. Her doc was very supportive, up until her water broke and there was meconium. He recommended an amnio-infusion, which required an IV and being horizontal. We interpreted horizontal to mean being on all fours was okay :). And it was. She dilated from 5 to 8 in an hour once we got her in this position.

She had no drugs and delivered both babies vaginally. The second baby was breech, so the doc helped by pulling her down.

I did stay longer, as someone else recommended, because getting started breastfeeding takes twice as long. She also stayed in recovery a little longer than most, so my usual waiting until she gets situated in her postpartum room did take about 4 hours.

The doc makes a big difference though. We had to tell the nurse at least twice to call him because she was telling us we had to do, or not do, something that he said was fine. He was a great support.

Teri

-- Teri Brickey (TBrickey@juno.com), March 03, 2001.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ