Belinda’s ‘Bespoke’ Birth.
When I was selecting what I like to call “My Bespoke Birth Biatches” (should have chosen babes but hey, pregnancy brain). I had two beautiful midwives but I was missing a key person. Someone who would not only take the beautiful photos but who would also be my “Mother figure.” Lou and I are the same age or there abouts, but the person who would be kind and soft and caring and help take care of me in a way my husband couldn’t. My darling husband is an absolute rock when I birth but I needed a soft presence. Doula Lou was it, the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle who fit perfectly with my birth team.
When I first contacted Lou she was wrapping up being a doula for a while because she was pregnant with her third child too. However, I think there was some kind of special connection there between us, like kindred spirits, because she allowed me to be her lucky last Mother even though our guess dates were only four weeks apart. I’m sure most of Lou’s mum’s feel like she is a kindred spirit to them.
The first time we spoke we really connected and still to this day when we run into each other it’s like we have been best friends or sisters in another life. It’s a weird and spiritual thing for me to say (I’m not usually into all that spiritual hippie, dippie stuff) but there you have it. I really honestly wouldn’t be surprised if everyone feels that way when they meet Lou.
In pregnancy, she comforted me and helped me unwrap any fears even tiny ones especially when I couldn’t get into my birth zone. I knew that until I was in this special zone I wasn’t going into labour, I just didn’t know how to get in it. But Lou listened and gently steered me in the right direction and I knew exactly what I needed to do. I knew I would go into labour that night because I was finally in my birth zone. Which I did.
When Lou arrived about 36 weeks pregnant herself I might add. She fixed the birth pool liner as I was trying to get in the pool between contractions, blessed if I know how, with a beautiful big bump.
During my lovely and short labour she seemed to be everywhere at once. Getting me heat packs and rubbing my back, getting me cold facewashers and I felt like she was always there with me, calm and loving. Magic powers, I tell you.
She took beautiful photos and one I’m particularly fond of with my husband who I swear sat exactly like that the entire time. I’m very grateful for that photo in particular. So in short, Lou was the perfect missing piece that made my birth the wonderful bespoke birth it was, exactly what I wanted and needed.
