To My Expecting Clients: Don't Start Labor at 3am!

​Did you know that oxytocin (the hormone that contributes to contractions) levels the last few weeks of pregnancy are highest at night?
 
Did you know that melatonin (the hormone responsible for inducing sleep) synergizes with oxytocin to promote uterine contractions?
 
Did you know that I HATE to have my sleep disturbed? There I said it. I’m human! I’m also a mom of three crazy high-energy little monster children (sorry guys, Mommy loves you). And I am also a Doula.
 
Wrong line of work you might say? Nah, I love my job and have been at it since 2006. The majority of the births I have attended started labor between the hours of 9pm-5am.
 
Sometimes I just settle in to my cozy bed and other times I am startled awake by my obnoxious ringtone on my phone (I purposely found the loudest ring option my phone had). I’m not going to lie, either way I have a moment or two before I answer of whining because I know what this middle of the night call means.
 
And I have to mention that I also have nights of disturbed sleep brought on myself. This would include numerous times waking up and checking my phone in case I accidentally missed a call from a client who is due (a doula’s worst nightmare). Or a random loud noise that immediately wakes me and puts me in late-night doula mode. I wake up like a ninja ready to attack. Oh what was that? Just a Facebook notification! Curse you phone!
 
Now all jokes aside once I am finished moaning and groaning, I put my big girl panties on and head straight out the door. Doula clothes always ready to go at a moments notice, gas in the car, snacks in my doula bag, and I will never forget some much needed caffeine. I’ve got this!
 
When I arrive, I’m in work mode. I immediately forget that it’s the witching hour and I assist my client as needed. And as long as labor takes, I will be there.
 
Just as everyone has their “dislikes” at their job, I have mine. A tiny detail in the grand scheme of things. My job is rewarding and completely worth a bit of lost sleep.