"My husband's in Iraq. I'm all alone to have this baby...and don't know what I'll do!"

Those big tears rolling down Tonya's face say it all.
She is living at the local Army base while her husband is serving in Iraq. They are expecting their first child, and Tonya is here...and is alone. She will soon enter the military hospital as a young, first time mother, all by herself.

Since Tonya and her husband recenlty moved to the base, she did not have time to take a childbirth class. She wants natural childbirth, but the doctors suggest that a planned c-section might be easier for all.

The Science: Does doula support during childbirth make a difference?

A birth doula is specially trained to give information as well as emotional and physical support to women during childbirth. She does not perform medical tasks but is trained to provide uninterrupted support to a mother in labor. Studies show that doula services reduce the incidence of both epidurals and c-sections. Natural, supportive childbirth enhances a woman’s success with breastfeeding and early parenting and may decrease postpartum depression.

The delivery went great...but, "My baby doesn't seem happy, " the new mom says.

Erica, the OSD doula, meets Tonya at the hospital when labor first begins, and she stays by her side for sixteen long hours. Little William is born full-term and without medication or intervention just as Tonya had hoped! But, now this new mother seems worried. "I can't seem to make my baby happy!" Tonya says.

Erica notices that William gazes up at his mother's face when Tonya talks to the nurse. However, the more Tonya talks directly to her son and rubs his soft, warm head the sleepier and the more "out of it" the new baby gets. Tonya notices that he actually turns away from her and looks toward the door to the hall. "It's like he keeps looking for his Daddy," this young mother says.

"Ah-Ha" Moment: How The HUG's information helps this mother...

William is showing a common and normal SOS (Sign of Over-Stimulation) when he turns away from his mom and "spaces out" or "shuts down." Many new parents, just like Tonya, misunderstand and worry about this behavior. Erica recognizes this SOS and finds The HUG DVD for Tonya to watch. Tonya actually laughs out loud when she sees the video baby turn away from his mother's face JUST like William does. She now thinks that her baby is extra smart "to do THAT maneuver" to keep from being over-stimulated. Tonya learns to tone down her activity level and to speak more quietly when she first notices an SOS. "I guess he's a happy baby after all!" Mom exclaims as she kisses her son's head and reminds him (and herself) that "Daddy will be home very soon!"