Dog Labor Support
I have birthed all three of my babies at home. Our oldest, Evangeline at 41.2 weeks, Olive at 10 weeks, and Atlas at 40.3 weeks. Each one of my births was accompanied by one of my precious dogs that acted as a beautiful comfort during each labor and birth.
For Evie’s birth we decided to board Luna (Great Dane) since she was so protective while I was pregnant, we didn’t know how she would react to our midwives and video / photo team. Isa (silky terrier) was / is small enough that we could have just put her in the other room if she got too protective or in the way.
Isa was such a sweet puppy during my 21 hour labor. She constantly came and checked on me and never left my side. As Evie was born she stood on her hind legs trying to peek in and see her new person.
When I birthed Olive in our bathroom at 10 weeks and sobbing on the phone with my husband and mom both dogs almost instinctively knew that I needed to be comforted but also that Evie would also need attention since I quickly stopped playing with her in her bedroom and rushed for the toilet.
I sat on the toilet and cried while Luna came and pushed her head up against mine. When I came out of the bathroom I found Isa curled up in a blanket on the floor next to Evie while she continued to play with her blocks and toys. (Looking back this is one of the ONLY TIMES Evie did not follow me into the bathroom when I went)
For my recent birth, we decided that Luna was more mature and we felt comfortable having her at the house. Especially since this house is quite a bit bigger than our last and our bedroom was big enough to shut everything else out on the other side of my bedroom door.
Atlas’ birth Luna was my birth space protector. She blocked the hallway to the bathroom when I was in there. She came and sat right in my bubble as I labored hard. She was the little oxytocin boost this time around that made me smile and I loved reassuring her that I was ok. Isa was almost bored with me during labor and only came in at the end when she heard all the commotion after he was born.
Both dogs were concerned when it took Atlas awhile to breathe on his own. Both of them needed to be pulled out of the room as I got out of the tub to give Atlas additional breaths.
Luna was the first to make sure he was ok as we snuggled up in our bed as a family of four.
Dogs just know. They can feel the energy in the room and know when to be still, calm, and can bring such a peace into the birth space. I am forever grateful for these memories captured of my little (and not so little) ”dog doulas”.