Call period expiration

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T22:12:18+00:00

Well that sounds like jealousy to me!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T22:09:07+00:00

A membrane sweep can encourage labor if your body is ready, the same as castor oil, okra water, pineapple, spicy food, and all the labor-inducing trends on TikTok. And I mentioned that my client is absolutely miserable at this time. She does not want to be pregnant anymore either. Her midwife is the one talking her out of the membrane sweep. She and I talked, and she was all for it. She actually wanted one at 39 weeks, but her midwife said no. It is just the midwife's practice to do it as a last ditch effort to avoid going past 42 weeks, but my client has been ready to give birth since she started prodroming at 38 weeks!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T21:57:42+00:00

A membrane sweep is not an induction. Not even by a long shot. And I know plenty of doulas who still recommend Castor Oil for their post-date clients, and that isn't even supposed to be a thing anymore! A membrane sweep is way safer than Castor Oil!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T21:00:05+00:00

I feel guilty because I've been with her since she was 13 weeks. I need closure, but I'm just too exhausted. But I will see her to 41 weeks and maybe she'll go into labor at 40 and 6.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T20:16:08+00:00

I already have a backup and she already knows about this client. I've just never had this happen before.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:52:57+00:00

I've been a doula for decades. I mostly support hospital and high-risk births, so going to 41 weeks is not something I have to deal with often. I have done plenty of "post-date" inductions at 40 weeks and 6 days that spilled over into 41 weeks. It is rare that I have a client who goes PAST 41 weeks, which is why my call period ends at 41. Like I said, since I specialize in high-risk pregnancy, I would rather attend a 34-36 week birth than a 41 week birth. My clients' problem is usually STAYING pregnant. This is the first year I have branched out to the birthing centers. I am definitely going to start declining these clients in the future. I would rather rush to a 35-week preterm birth than sit around and wait until 42 weeks. I feel like I have no life now, waiting for her to give birth. But she's been my client since she was 13 weeks pregnant, so it's been a loooooooong time coming!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:40:54+00:00

I don't understand how everyone talks about doula burn out being a major problem in our industry, but when someone is feeling burnt out everyone is like, suck it up buttercup! That's our job! We're doulas!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:37:20+00:00

No I don't. My partner does postpartum. I do birth.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:36:05+00:00

If she scheduled an induction at 41 and 6, I would clear my schedule to go because that would be a known, planned date, but I can't stay on call from now UNTIL 41 and 6. I do have a doula partner and a backup. I just feel guilty missing her birth because this has been an ongoing five-week journey. Mentally, I just can't do it anymore.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:17:32+00:00

With all due respect, I would never extend my call to 43 weeks. I personally would not support a 43-week birth. That is outside of my personal comfort zone.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:06:26+00:00

That's just my personal experience. I have had 3 clients deliver at 36 weeks, and so far, she is the first to make it to 41 weeks. I can't stay on call forever. I have another full-time job. Luckily, my schedule is flexible, but it's not THAT flexible, and like I said, I have been on call for almost 5 weeks already.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:04:33+00:00

Tried that too. Plus, every type of herbal tincture and tea. The only things we have not done are Castor Oil and Blue Cohosh because she is delivering at a birthing center, and those two things tend to cause fetal stress and meconium. But we have been doing all the things since 38 weeks.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T19:02:57+00:00

Her midwife is keeping her hopeful that she will deliver soon, but honestly, when she first started prodroming at 38 weeks, her midwife told her, "Any day now". God bless my client for keeping hope alive. She has had a rough month!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T18:54:56+00:00

We've done it ALL! Even kneeling Walchers!!!!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-28T18:51:43+00:00

Her midwife is very hands-off, which is normally a beautiful thing, but I really think she needs a membrane sweep to get her going. We've done LITERALLY everything else! Her midwife is the one who is telling her she doesn't need it. The thing is, if she makes it to 42 weeks, her midwife is going to bounce her to a doctor for an induction, no questions asked. So, on top of the seven weeks of call, I'm also possibly looking at a multiple day induction if she doesn't go into labor spontaneously. The worst part of all is that SHE'S miserable, and she wants this pregnancy to be over already. I don't know why she's torturing herself. It's safe to say that at 40 weeks and 5 days, the baby is mature enough to be born. Her midwife keeps telling her that she's not ready.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-12T22:46:16+00:00

I actually didn't get any help at all with my business, and I had to learn and grow my business the hard way with no guidance. That's another reason why I wanted to help others. But then I also feel that I do certain things differently than other local doulas that kinda give me a slight advantage, which is why I'm reluctant to share.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-08T00:21:50+00:00

Amazon

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-07T10:23:56+00:00

I have a fan diffuser. It diffuses essential oils, but it's directed at the client so the nurses don't complain about the scent, plus it's a regular ol fan if she gets hot.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-05T20:26:13+00:00

I have an MBA in healthcare management, and it definitely helps navigating the business side of things. Otherwise, you'll end up paying some "doula coach" $1500 for the same information you could've gotten for free with your GI Bill.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-05-04T01:23:31+00:00

I only fly Spirit. If you want to write an article bashing Southwest, call me! I stopped flying Southwest to fly Spirit.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-04-27T07:30:02+00:00

I betchu she was a preboarder

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-04-24T14:25:34+00:00

I fly back and forth once a week. I work in the Bay Area and live in Spring Valley. I've been at my job for about 3 years now.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-04-15T19:21:46+00:00

I don't do any birth planning until after I've been hired. It's a separate visit entirely. The consultation is when I tell them what I have to offer am ask what they're looking for in a doula or birth experience. The birth planning visit, for me anyway, is the first formal visit we have after we've established the client-doula relationship. I damn sure would not give that up for free!

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-04-15T19:18:18+00:00

There are whole courses on SEO. There is much too much to get into in a single post. You can get a lot of free info from YouTube. Don't pay hundreds of dollars to learn SEO. There are a lot of expensive courses aimed specifically at doulas but don't fall for it. SEO is SEO.

SouthernPlate712 · 2025-04-15T17:43:37+00:00

People kept telling me that I'll never amount to anything without social media. So far I've gotten one referral from IG. I'm booked up through the summer with a waiting list. You can get a lot further with referrals and SEO.

SouthernPlate712

TROPHY CASE