March 22nd-28th is World Doula Week. As part of the celebration, I'm featuring a doula attended birth story each day.

Jaimie is a good friend, a fellow doula, and soon to be author of a book that highlights her *VBA3C journey. She is a wealth of knowledge, and amazing support to anyone looking to take their own VBAC journey. You can look for updates on her book release and follow her inspiring post on her Facebook Page or on her website. In the mean time, Jaimie was kind enough to share a bit of her story with me for my World Doula Week series.

Here is Jaimie's Story:

I knew with my fourth pregnancy, things would be completely different. Having had three previous c-sections I knew I couldn't schedule surgery again. While finding a provider proved to be almost impossible, the day I finally met with the doctor who agreed to support me, I also hired my doula. I'll never forget going through the mountains of West Virginia, after my consultation with him, heading for vacation, I called the doula and asked if she could support me. She happily said yes and I felt a sense of comfort to have her in this precious time in my life. I called her often after my appointments, I guess I needed to debrief. She was always encouraging and believed in me. And that was so appreciated. The day I went into labor, my water broke after weeks of prodromal labor. She came to my home where I labored and then followed us on our way to the hospital. I'll never forget her helping me get my hospital socks on, giving me sips of my red raspberry leaf tea in between contractions. I remember her sitting on the floor beside me. Just being there with myself and my husband. She was what we needed. As I went through labor some of the nurses questioned baby's heart beat. I was relieved my doula could help me relax, assuring me all was well. She helped me to the bathroom in attempts of changing position and I think to get a break from the room, she gave me a washcloth on my beaded with sweat brow during transition. During one of my most life changing moments this woman, served me, affirmed me and helped me to feel calm just with her sweet and assuring presence. As I pushed, she encouraged me. And as my baby was born and I reached down and grabbed her and brought her to my chest, my doula stood beside capturing pictures of my husband and my new baby that I will forever treasure. An unmedicated VBA3C changed my life. In so many ways. And if it weren't for my wonderful team supporting me, I'm not sure if I would have the same story. My heart is grateful and I am so thankful for the doula who stood with my husband myself. She will always hold a special place in my heart

*In case you're not familiar with the acronym, VBAC stands for vaginal birth after cesarean, and VBA3C is vaginal birth after three cesareans.