In August of 2013 I was in search of a politically conscious doula of color to help me with an unmedicated birth in a hospital setting. Met a few others, but when I met Pati, I had that feeling you get when you know it's the right match. She has a calm, positive energy, is in tune with herself, listens to you, and is unafraid to speak what is on her mind, yet does it in a way that is in no way judgmental or pushy. The key phrase that won me over was when she said her job was to not allow hospitals to bully me. Exactly what I wanted to hear! (AND she studied midwifery with Ina May Gaskin at The Farm!)
Other deciding factors: She was willing to work within our budget based on our income (otherwise we probably would not have been able to afford a doula) and she was familiar with Kaiser Sunset, where we were delivering. Our two prenatal visits went really well. We went over important background information that could potentially affect my birth and my state of mind, she sent me recommended readings and tips, she helped me finalize my birth plan, and she helped me and my husband practice various labor positions. She was very knowledgeable and was able to answer so many of my questions, but always came from a standpoint of informing me and allowing me to ultimately make the choices.
Whenever I contacted her with questions based on my various symptoms, she offered sound advice: take prenatal yoga classes, take warm Epsom salt baths, get a prenatal massage (which I got from her and was amazing, and I lost my mucus plug that very night)! Pati made herself available to me 247 the weeks leading up to labor. When I began experiencing consistent contractions, I contacted her, she arrived at my home, and an hour later she said it was time to go to the hospital.
We arrived the morning of September 14, 2013, and the entire time she was right by my side and advocating for me. From triage, to labor & delivery, to postpartum, she was a calm and comforting presence. I know it would have been different had it been just me and my husband, since it was my first birth. Because Pati was familiar with the hospital, she had really prepared me well for my experience. I didn't feel lost or surprised. She helped me write a solid birth plan that she made sure the staff got a copy of. She was on top of it, getting the hot shower ready for me whenever I needed it, setting up the squat bar on the bed, grabbing the vomit container right as I was puking, wiping my face with a cool washcloth, reminding the nurses that I wanted intermittent fetal monitoring, fetching the doctor or nurse when needed, supporting my husband and taking turns with him to apply counterpressure for me, walking alongside me, making sure I was getting enough liquids (which I'm sure helped me to avoid IV fluids), reminding me to breathe (I REALLY needed this!)... I mean, she was ON.
I know for a fact that I would not have had such a positive birth experience had it not been for Pati. I felt confident throughout my labor; she helped me to feel in control of my birth through all those exhausting hours. But I felt empowered. No one made me do anything that I felt I didn't want to do (ok, except for the hep lock at the initial check-in, but I asked to get it removed after about 10 min). She and my husband together made for an incredible birth team. She supported us every step of the way, reminding us of things we needed to be reminded of, offering suggestions for trying something different after some time... I could cry from happiness every time I think of Pati's role in my labor/birth and how she was so on her game. Because of her, I was able to have the med-free birth that I wanted... and a super healthy, alert baby boy! She also saved my placenta for me and took it home immediately after delivery, just in case I decided to have it encapsulated, or at least to make sure that I could have it if I wanted (and which I eventually got). Apparently she even got behind the camera and snapped shots and captured some incredible video (who knew?)!
I am so blessed to have found a friend and advocate in Pati. She still made herself available to me (with all my random questions) via phone/text the weeks and even months after that momentous day. The postpartum visit was like a reunion. Pati will always have a special place in my heart (I'm a total Chula Doula groupie). I'm so glad that we still stay in touch. She is a doula on a mission, and I support that mission. I love her dearly and I know we were meant to have her on our birth team. I truly hope to work with her again with a possible second baby in the near future~ :) read more