I Hired a Doula to Accompany Me During My Delivery and Was Shocked to Find Out Who She Really Was – Story of the Day

I always dreamed of becoming a mother, and finally, my dream was coming true. But the joy of expecting a child was overshadowed by my husband’s unexpected business trip and the arrival of a stranger who turned out to be connected to my past.

My husband David and I had been preparing and planning for a child for a long time, but for many years, nothing worked out. We had tried everything we could think of, and the constant disappointment was heartbreaking.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

But eight months ago, everything changed. I finally saw those coveted two lines on the pregnancy test. This pregnancy was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

The joy I felt was indescribable. I knew I would never abandon this child as someone once did to me. Even though I was adopted when I was a year old, and my adoptive parents were wonderful, learning that I was adopted broke me at the time.

It felt like a part of my identity was missing. But now, I was eagerly awaiting our baby, ready to give them all the love I had received and more.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

David and I decided to have a partner birth, so I knew it would be a special moment for both of us.

One evening, when David returned from work, he looked very tired and worried. I tried to find out what had happened, but he only responded that everything was fine.

We had dinner in silence, and I felt he wasn’t telling me something. The tension in the air was thick, and I could see he was struggling with something.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“David, please talk to me. It’s hard for me to see you like this,” I said, my voice soft but insistent.

David sighed heavily and rubbed his nose, looking down at the floor. “Alright,” he began slowly. “I’ve been sent on a business trip in ten days. I’ll be paid very well for it, and I thought it was a good opportunity since the baby is coming soon.”

“That’s great. Why do you look so sad then?” I asked, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Because they don’t know how long they’ll need me there. They said to expect anywhere from two weeks to a month,” David said, his voice strained.

“But the birth could happen during that time,” I said, placing a hand on my stomach, feeling a wave of anxiety wash over me.

“I know. That’s why I’m in this state,” David replied, his eyes filled with worry.

“Then refuse,” I suggested, trying to keep my voice steady.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I can’t. It will affect my future work, and we could use the extra money,” he explained, frustration evident in his tone.

“But you might not be there for the birth,” I said, my voice breaking slightly.

David got up and came over to me, hugging me tightly. “That’s why I found a doula for you. I want you to have support while I’m away,” he said, his voice gentle.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I want to give birth with my husband, not some stranger,” I said, dissatisfied.

“I know. But Martha is very good, and many people recommended her to me,” he tried to reassure me.

“I don’t like this idea,” I said, shaking my head.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’ll try to return as soon as possible, but I want us to have some backup. Let me arrange a meeting with her while I’m still here. If you don’t like her, we’ll look for other options,” he offered, trying to find a compromise.

“I don’t want other options. I want you to be with me,” I insisted, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

“I want to be with you and the baby too,” David said, placing his hand on my belly. “That’s why I feel awful about having to leave. But we’ll get through this, and I hope to be back before you start giving birth, okay?”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“Okay,” I said softly.

That evening, we just lay together, hugging, as if not wanting to let each other go for even a moment. The fear of him not being there for the birth was heavy in my heart, but I knew we had to face this together, even if it meant being apart for a little while.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Two days after that conversation with David, I was on my way to meet the doula, Martha. To be honest, I wasn’t very positive about this meeting because I didn’t fully understand how a stranger could support me during such an important moment.

I parked near the café where Martha and I had agreed to meet and went inside. The café was warm and inviting, with the rich smell of coffee filling the air. I looked around, not knowing which of the people there was Martha.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Suddenly, a woman sitting alone at a table waved at me, and I realized it was her. She looked older than I expected, around 50, with kind eyes and a gentle smile. I approached and sat at the table.

“Hi! I’m Martha, and you must be Sheila,” she said, her smile warm and inviting.

“Yes, but how did you know it was me?” I asked, a bit surprised.

“You looked confused… and pregnant,” she added with a gentle laugh.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Right, I just feel like this belly has always been with me,” I said, laughing too.

“I understand, but believe me, you’ll feel such relief when it’s gone,” Martha said, nodding.

“I can only imagine,” I replied, trying to picture that moment.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Martha and I talked for two hours. She explained what her work would involve and how she could help me. She spoke about different techniques for pain management, relaxation, and support during labor.

I described how I envisioned the process, emphasizing the importance of a calm and supportive environment. It turned out our views were very similar, and we immediately found common ground.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Martha’s experience and empathy reassured me, and I was grateful to David for coming up with this idea.

As the conversation was ending, Martha asked, “Do you have any more questions for me?”

“Yes, I don’t want to be tactless, but do you have children?” I asked, feeling a bit awkward.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“No, I decided to dedicate my life to medical school and then to working in this field, but now I’m here,” Martha said, smiling. “But I have given birth,” she added softly.

“Oh…” I said, sensing it might have been something very personal and possibly traumatic for her.

We stood up from the table, and Martha came over to hug me goodbye. As she hugged me, I noticed her looking at the large birthmark on my shoulder.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“In my teenage years, I thought about removing it because I didn’t like it, but now I consider it my unique feature,” I said, trying to make light of it. Martha looked at me, puzzled. “I’m talking about the birthmark,” I added for clarity.

“Oh, yes. It’s very nice,” Martha said, rushing off. I didn’t understand her behavior but decided to ignore it. Maybe she remembered she was late for something.

As I left the café, I felt a mix of relief and curiosity, wondering more about this woman who would be by my side during such an important moment.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

Time passed, and my due date was approaching. It was hard without David during this period, but Martha was very supportive. She visited almost every day and even helped with household chores.

Her presence was comforting, and she always knew how to calm my nerves. I felt like Martha understood me like no one else. It was as if we were related, and I couldn’t shake that feeling.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

David was supposed to fly back home that day, and I just hoped he would make it before our baby started to arrive. Martha and I were checking my hospital bag, probably for the tenth time, due to my anxiety.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure everything you need is there. If anything is missing, I’ll definitely bring it,” Martha said, her voice calm and reassuring.

“I know, I just want everything to go perfectly,” I replied, trying to hide my anxiety.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“Oh, dear. This is childbirth; it can’t be perfect. But your baby will be, and that’s what matters,” she said, smiling.

“Thank you, Martha,” I said, feeling a bit better. I went to the kitchen to pour myself some cold juice. As I approached the fridge, I felt something was wrong. I realized my water bag had broken. I immediately went to Martha.

“My water broke,” I said, panicking, my voice trembling.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

“Quick, sit down,” Martha said, helping me to the couch. Within seconds, I felt the first contraction and screamed.

“Breathe, remember how I taught you to breathe,” Martha said. But the pain was too intense for me to think clearly. “Breathe, Amber, breathe,” she said, and it snapped me out of my panic.

“What did you call me?” I asked, confused.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I meant Sheila, sorry, I made a mistake,” Martha said quickly. “But you need to focus on your breathing now.”

“When I was born, they named me Amber. But my mother abandoned me, and my adoptive parents renamed me when I was a year old, right after they adopted me. Don’t tell me this is a coincidence,” I pressed her, my heart racing.

“Sheila, it truly is just a coincidence,” Martha said, her face serious.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“What happened to the baby? You said you gave birth but have no children. What happened to that baby?” I asked, my voice rising.

“I gave her up for adoption,” Martha answered quietly.

“It was me, wasn’t it? I felt something was off. I noticed we were too similar,” I said, my voice shaking.

“Sheila, you need to focus on your baby now,” Martha said, trying to keep me calm.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“It was me?!” I shouted, feeling a mix of anger and confusion.

“Yes,” Martha admitted.

“And how long have you known?” I demanded.

“Since our first meeting when I saw your birthmark,” Martha said, her eyes filled with regret.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I can’t believe you’ve been lying to me all this time!” I cried, feeling betrayed.

“Sheila, I wanted to do the right thing,” she said, her voice breaking.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to see you,” I said, struggling to get up from the couch, grabbing my hospital bag, and heading to the car.

“What are you doing?” Martha shouted after me.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I’m driving myself to the hospital, and you can leave. I don’t want to see you,” I replied.

“That’s dangerous!” she shouted, but I ignored her. The contractions were coming fast, but I couldn’t think about anything other than getting to the hospital and being away from Martha.

I got into the car, feeling intense contractions but trying to drive anyway. The pain was overwhelming, making it hard to focus on the road. The drive to the hospital felt endless, each bump and turn amplifying the agony.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

I kept trying to call David, but he wasn’t answering his phone. He was probably still on the plane. I prayed he would make it in time.

When I finally reached the hospital, nurses surrounded me with concern. They asked me many questions I couldn’t answer in my state. They quickly put me in a room, and a doctor told me I would give birth within two hours.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

My labor was progressing rapidly. David still hadn’t called me back, and the worry added to my pain. My whole body was in agony, and I felt like I couldn’t bear it any longer.

Suddenly, I saw the door to the room open, and Martha walked in.

“I don’t want to see you!” I screamed, my voice filled with pain and anger.

Martha calmly approached me. “I called David. He was leaving the airport and should be on his way here,” she said. “I know you’re angry, but I can help you until David arrives.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“I don’t need anything from you!” I shouted, but then another contraction began, making me cry out in pain. Martha breathed with me and applied a cold compress to my head.

I decided to stop arguing. I really needed support, even if it was from the woman who had abandoned me and then lied. An hour later, the pushing began, and the doctor said it was time to give birth.

“I don’t want to give birth without David!” I cried. “He should be here soon.”

“Sweetheart, the baby is the priority now, and we can’t delay,” Martha said gently.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney

“No! I want my husband by my side!” I pleaded, but they didn’t listen. The doctor and nurses gathered around me. “Please, wait for David!”

Suddenly, the door to the room opened, and a breathless David walked in. “It’s okay, I’m here,” he said, taking my hand. Relief washed over me as I felt his strong grip.

David and Martha supported and helped me as much as they could. Martha held my hand and reminded me to breathe while David stayed by my side, encouraging me.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my daughter was born. It was the best and happiest moment of my life. Her first cry filled the room, and tears of joy streamed down my face.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

A few hours after the birth, Martha came to me. David was asleep in a chair, holding our daughter.

“I’m sorry for abandoning you and lying, but—” Martha began, her voice soft and filled with regret.

I interrupted her, “I don’t want to talk about this now. But we will discuss it later, and you will explain everything to me.”

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

I didn’t want to spoil this day with unpleasant conversations. Martha nodded sadly and was about to leave the room.

“Can you bring me some cold juice? I didn’t get to drink it,” I asked her, trying to keep things light.

Martha smiled. “Of course,” she said and left the room. As I watched her go, I thought that now that I was a mother myself, maybe I could understand why she did what she did.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

MID-FLIGHT MIRACLE: WOMAN GIVES BIRTH WHILE PILOT TAKES AN UNEXPECTED ROUTE

Rose was a young woman who didn’t like flying. She had only started taking flights when she began visiting her husband, Bill, who worked as a miner in Texas while she lived in Omaha.

Bill’s job paid well but kept him away most of the year, only coming home for a short break between Christmas and New Year’s.

One day, while Rose was on a commercial flight, she unexpectedly went into labor. This caused the pilot to change the flight path, but instead of heading to the nearest airport, the plane was rerouted elsewhere to handle the emergency.

Pexels

Rose, now heavily pregnant, had convinced Bill to let her visit him once a month in Texas, despite his initial reluctance. Over time, these weekend visits became a cherished routine in their marriage, and the moments they spent together in Bill’s small apartment were some of their best.

It was during one of these romantic weekends that Rose became pregnant. Bill was thrilled about the baby and had big plans. He promised to retire from mining once the child was born and start a farm in Omaha. Bill came from a family of successful farmers, and he believed they could make a good living growing crops.

Even though Bill had asked Rose to stay home during her pregnancy, Rose was determined to see him. Flying to Texas had become such a habit that she couldn’t bear the thought of missing their time together that weekend, so she boarded the plane one last time, despite being so close to her due date.

Pexels

“You are nine months pregnant, Rose,” Bill reminded her during their last call.

“Oh, thank you for pointing that out, I had no idea my stomach started swelling nine months ago,” Rose replied sarcastically.

“You shouldn’t be traveling at all, let alone flying across states. It’s absurd, my dear,” Bill insisted, concern evident in his voice.

“I need to see you, Bill,” Rose cooed. “I’ve missed you so much.”

She had let him convince her to stay home for the past two months, but this time, she wasn’t backing down.

“I know, baby,” Bill sighed. “But it’s September, and I’ll be home for good in December. Just be patient, hon.”

Rose let him think he’d convinced her again, but when Friday arrived, she packed her bags and boarded a flight to Texas. When she arrived and surprised Bill, he pretended to be angry, but they quickly fell into their usual rhythm and cherished their time together.

Pexels

By Sunday evening, when Rose boarded the plane back to Omaha, she was glowing with happiness after spending a refreshing weekend with Bill. But once the plane took off and hit turbulence, she was quickly reminded of how much she disliked flying. Rose preferred solid ground, where the worst-case scenario wouldn’t involve falling from the sky.

Another shake rattled the plane, sending her imagination into overdrive. She began worrying about everything from hijackings to plane crashes, and her stress level spiked. While her mind raced with worst-case scenarios, something unexpected happened—her water broke.

At first, Rose didn’t even realize it. She noticed the wetness and blushed, assuming she’d lost control of her bladder due to the stress. It never occurred to her that her water had broken three weeks early. But then, the contractions started, and Rose finally understood what was happening. She was going into labor.

Pexels

Rose’s scream filled the cabin, catching the attention of a nearby flight attendant, who rushed over. “What’s wrong?” the attendant asked, her voice filled with concern.

“I’m having a baby!” Rose yelled, gripping the armrests as another contraction hit her.

The flight attendant quickly relayed the situation to the pilot, who immediately contacted the nearest airport for permission to land. While waiting, the attendant tried to soothe Rose by talking to her between contractions.

“Why are you traveling alone, especially so far along in your pregnancy?” the flight attendant asked, her voice soft but concerned.

“I was visiting my husband and now I’m returning home,” Rose replied breathlessly.

“He let you travel like this? That’s so irresponsible!” the flight attendant remarked, shaking her head. “Okay, do you have family we can call? Other than your husband?”

“No, I’m an orphan,” Rose said, her voice weakening as the contractions became more intense.

The flight attendant noticed Rose was burning up with a fever and struggling to endure the pain. Realizing the situation could turn dangerous without medical help, she informed the pilot, urging him to make the emergency landing as soon as possible.

Pexels

The pilot, Drew, received unsettling news from the dispatcher: the nearest airport wasn’t ready to take their plane due to bad weather. Time was running out, and Rose, in her feverish state, could only cry out for her husband. Drew knew he had to act quickly.

“We’re going back to Texas,” Drew said with determination.

He instructed the flight attendant to keep Rose stable for another thirty minutes, but soon, more bad news arrived—Texas was experiencing severe weather too, and they weren’t allowed to land at the airport.

Despite the setbacks, Drew had one last option. He knew the area well and remembered an old, abandoned airstrip not far from the airport. The only issue was the runway—it was too short for a plane their size. Still, it was Rose’s best chance to get help.

“We’re landing at the abandoned airstrip,” Drew announced to his co-pilot, Stan, who was still relatively new to flying.

“Sir, with all due respect, landing there is against the rules,” Stan said, hesitant.

Drew turned to him, eyes focused. “Sometimes, to save a life, you have to follow your conscience, not the rules,” he replied firmly.

Stan nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. The decision was made—Drew was going to attempt the risky landing to save Rose and her unborn child.

Pexels

Drew instructed the flight attendant to contact Rose’s husband as the plane circled the abandoned airstrip, preparing for a risky landing. Every move had to be precise, and Drew knew there was no room for error.

They circled once, then twice, each time bringing the plane closer to the ground. Meanwhile, Rose was slipping in and out of consciousness, her contractions overwhelming her.

As the plane neared the ground, Drew knew it was time to take the leap of faith. With no control tower to guide them, it was all on him. The co-pilot, still a rookie, was on the verge of panicking but followed Drew’s calm lead. After several tense minutes, the plane finally touched down safely.

As soon as the hatch opened, an ambulance with EMTs and Rose’s husband raced toward the plane. They were followed closely by media vans and a few concerned civilians who had rushed to the airstrip, fearing a crash. Drew had done it—he landed the plane against the odds, and now Rose was on her way to getting the help she needed.

Pexels

Bill gently carried his pregnant wife to the ambulance, overwhelmed with worry as they raced to the hospital. All he could do was pray that Rose, who looked exhausted and unwell, would be okay.

At the hospital, doctors quickly checked her vitals and realized she was too weak to deliver the baby naturally. They decided a C-section was the only option. Bill wasn’t allowed in the operating room, so he waited anxiously outside. After what felt like an eternity, he was finally called in to meet his new baby and see his recovering wife.

Relief flooded over him. He couldn’t believe how close he had come to losing them both. That day, Bill decided to quit his job, vowing never to leave his family for long periods again. When they returned to Omaha, it would be for good.

Out of gratitude, Bill asked for the name of the brave pilot who risked it all to help them. He and Rose agreed to name their baby after him.

As for Rose, it would be many years before she would ever set foot on an airplane again.

Pexels

What did we learn from this story?

Human life is incredibly valuable. Drew made the right choice when he decided to land the plane at the abandoned airstrip to save both Rose and her baby. It reminds us that life is precious and should be protected at all costs.

Overthinking is not helpful. Rose might have made it back to Omaha without any issues if she hadn’t let her mind race after the turbulence. Her anxiety triggered stress, and her body reacted by going into labor early. This shows that overthinking often makes things worse instead of helping.

Share this story with your friends—it might brighten their day and inspire them.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*