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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Doula-Doula

I booked a "natural labor encouragement massage" with a doula tomorrow. 

For those who don't know, doulas are like a hippie's helper before, during, and after pregnancy.  They are not nurses or midwives; they just provide a host of services for the preggo and post-preggo population.  And I joke that they're for hippies because, well, it's mostly granola types who trend toward doula services.  I don't really think of myself as such a granola type (since as a college friend of mine once said, "I'm not a hippie!  I shower everyday and I hate the smell of patchouli!" -- and that's always been my definitive definition); however, I suppose I border on hippie.  Hippie-adjacent, I guess you could say.

Anyhoo, one service they offer is a "39 week special" which is a massage that combines certain essential oils with specific pressure point focus that is supposed to naturally encourage labor to start on its own.  They boast an 85% success rate that after your massage, you'll naturally go into labor within 2-5 days.  A student initially told me about the service a few months back -- she too is a mother and she'd taken advantage of such a massage with her second pregnancy and she swore she went into labor exactly 48 hours after receiving the massage.

I was, and still am, a bit skeptical because, well, when you're at least 39 weeks pregnant, you could go into labor at any point, so the 2-5 day promise seems a bit like a given anyway.  But, I figure: Why not?  It can't hurt to try and, as Jerry argued, if nothing else, a massage would be a nice, relaxing activity which is maybe something I should take advantage of and enjoy right now anyway.  So, I booked it.  It's not cheap, but it's really no more expensive than a regular 60 minute massage, and I figure if it does work, it's worth it.

My mom arrives this afternoon, so she can stay home tomorrow morning with Norah, and I guess I'm gonna go get my doula on, yo!

13 comments:

Jennifer said...

Have fun with your mom!

Also.. Couldn't find your email address but wanted to put FitFluential.com on your radar as I think you would be a good fit! :)

Julie D said...

Cool! A massage is relaxing, anyway, so why not?!

Anonymous said...

"Certain essential oils..."

Yeah, your baby is coming out high!

MCM Mama said...

There are definitely pressure points that can help if your body is near ready for labor. Hope it works out for you.

And I prefer the term crunchy. ;o) (says the woman whose second son was born at home with a midwife.)

Marlene said...

My first thought was 'hey, even if it's a bunch of hocus pocus, at least you can enjoy the massage!'

So enjoy it!

Wes said...

not a hippie? hahahahaha! That's my laugh for the day. oh, that and the video of The People of Walmart. but I digress :-) no, I don't think you're a hippie, but if it makes you more comfortable, any good father/husband is ALL for it!!

Erin said...

I think you just wanted an excuse for a massage and alone time. :)

If your water breaks during the massage, is it free?

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

That sounds pretty cool? If it works...great! If you don't go into labor , then at least you still get a massage out of it! Hope it works for you.

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

Hope it works for you!

Aron said...

A massage sounds good to me :) I hope it works!!

MNFirefly said...

Good luck! Crossing my fingers for you.

lee said...

I think I'm hippie-adjacent too.

Amber said...

I had two of those. One at 38ish weeks that didn't "work". Then another at 39 weeks in desperation, and I had the baby the next day! Of course, the next day was my LMP due date, so I'm not sure the doula can claim the credit, but at least it felt nice!