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

I Had Doubts about Dating a Single Dad, but What I Found after He Moved into My House Left Me Pale

I came home expecting a quiet evening, but what I found instead shook me to the core. In that moment, I realized my trust had been betrayed, and my peaceful life was about to be turned upside down.

When I first started dating Ryan, I knew there would be challenges. I was stepping into a relationship with a man who had three young daughters, and I was prepared for the extra noise, the mess, and the constant whirlwind that would follow us wherever we went.

Woman laughing with her husband | Source: Midjourney

Woman laughing with her husband | Source: Midjourney

I had been living alone in my cozy, peaceful home for years and had gotten used to the calm and order that came with it. But I knew that loving Ryan meant embracing the chaos his daughters would bring, and I was ready to make the necessary sacrifices.

My home was my sanctuary, but I was willing to adjust. When Ryan moved in, I sacrificed my guest room and the upstairs rec room so the girls could have their own spaces. It wasn’t always easy.

Middle aged couple standing in their house | Source: Midjourney

Middle aged couple standing in their house | Source: Midjourney

I would often find myself retreating to my bedroom just to get a moment of quiet. But I was committed to making our new family dynamic work, so I kept reminding myself that this was what it meant to love someone—sacrifices, compromises, and the willingness to adapt.

But just when I thought I had a handle on things, the situation took a turn I never saw coming.

Ryan’s ex-wife, Laura, had always been a bit of a wild card. She was the kind of person who thrived on drama and attention. So, when she suddenly decided to get the girls a dog, three kittens, and a bunch of rodents, I wasn’t entirely surprised.

A woman with her cats | Source: Midjourney

A woman with her cats | Source: Midjourney

What did surprise me was the fact that her lease strictly prohibited pets. I couldn’t understand why she would make such a reckless decision, knowing it would cause problems. But I chalked it up to her trying to win the girls’ favor, hoping they’d see her as the “fun” parent.

I thought that would be the end of it, that she’d have to face the consequences of her actions on her own. “She’ll sort it out,” I muttered, hoping Ryan would agree. But that wasn’t the case. When her landlord found out about the pets and threatened to evict her, Ryan stepped in, determined to play the hero. “They can stay with us,” he told the girls with a reassuring smile, “We’ll make room.”

Ryan smiles at his daughter | Source: Midjourney

Ryan smiles at his daughter | Source: Midjourney

“Are you serious?” I asked, my voice sharp with disbelief. “We can’t possibly take in all those animals, Ryan. You know I have allergies, we both work long hours, and let’s be honest, you’re not exactly the most reliable when it comes to keeping the house in order.”

He frowned, clearly taken aback. “But they’re just kids,” he pleaded. “They’ve already fallen in love with the animals. How can we take them away now?”

“I get that,” I replied, trying to stay calm. “But maybe a few of the rodents could stay, not the entire zoo. We can’t turn this place into a circus.”

A woman arguing with her husband in their bedroom | Source: Midjourney

A woman arguing with her husband in their bedroom | Source: Midjourney

The girls, overhearing our conversation, looked devastated. They had already become attached to the animals, and now they were faced with the possibility of losing them.

Ryan, caught in the middle, started sulking, his usual response when things didn’t go his way. Meanwhile, his ex, ever the drama queen, played the victim. She acted as if I was the evil stepmother ruining everyone’s fun, and that’s how the girls started to see me too.

Sad man sulking in his bed | Source: Midjourney

Sad man sulking in his bed | Source: Midjourney

Then, one afternoon, after a particularly exhausting day at work, I came home ready to unwind. As I pushed open the door, I froze. My living room looked like an animal shelter.

The dog was lounging on my couch, the kittens were scampering around like they owned the place, and the rodents were making themselves at home in the corners. My throat started itching almost immediately, my nose tingling with the telltale signs of an impending allergy attack.

A dog on the couch | Source: Pexels

A dog on the couch | Source: Pexels

I felt a surge of anger, betrayal burning in my chest. Ryan had brought all the animals over behind my back. As I stood there, trying to process what was happening, one of the girls, Emma, approached me, looking guilty.

She hesitated before blurting out, “Mom told us you wouldn’t mind the pets because you told her you liked animals. But when we were at dinner last week, I heard you tell Dad that you had allergies. I think Mom heard too.”

Girl whispering something to her mother | Source: Midjourney

Girl whispering something to her mother | Source: Midjourney

I didn’t react right away, just nodded and reassured her that it wasn’t her fault. But that was the first crack in the story I’d been told. Why was Ryan’s ex lying to her kids?

That’s when it clicked. Ryan’s ex had done this on purpose. She’d overheard me talking about my allergies and decided to use it against me, knowing it would cause chaos in our home. I was furious, but I also realized that I wasn’t going to let her get away with it.

A woman has a moment of realization | Source: Midjourney

A woman has a moment of realization | Source: Midjourney

That evening, I confronted Ryan. “Why did you bring the animals here without telling me?” I asked, my voice trembling with barely controlled anger.

He looked at me, guilt written all over his face. “I didn’t think it would be a big deal. The girls were so upset, and I just wanted to make them happy.”

“And what about me?” I shot back. “You know I have allergies. You know how hard it is for me to keep up with the housework as it is. Why didn’t you talk to me first?”

Woman arguing with her husband | Source: Midjourney

Woman arguing with her husband | Source: Midjourney

Ryan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t want to disappoint them.”

I shook my head, feeling a mixture of anger and sadness. “Ryan, this isn’t just about the animals. It’s about trust. You went behind my back, and you let your ex manipulate you. We’re supposed to be a team, and right now, it feels like I’m fighting this battle alone.”

Frustrated woman looking down | Source: Midjourney

Frustrated woman looking down | Source: Midjourney

He looked at me, his expression softening. “You’re right. I should have talked to you first. I won’t let it happen again.”

But I wasn’t satisfied with just an apology. I needed to get to the bottom of what had really happened. I decided to dig deeper.

The next day, I made a few phone calls. It wasn’t hard to find the truth once I knew where to look. I managed to get in touch with her landlord under the guise of verifying some information about his other property. When I casually mentioned the pet situation, he was puzzled.

Landlord talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

Landlord talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

“I’ve never had a problem with pets,” he said. “In fact, I encourage it. Makes the place feel more like home, you know?”

That was all I needed to hear. Ryan’s ex had lied. She’d never been at risk of eviction. She’d used the pet issue as a way to manipulate the situation, knowing it would cause a rift between Ryan and me, and likely hoping I’d cave in to keep the peace.

Middle aged woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

Middle aged woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

That evening, I confronted Ryan again, this time with the full story. “I talked to her landlord,” I said, watching his face carefully. “He doesn’t have any problem with pets. She lied about being at risk of eviction.”

Ryan was floored. He stared at me, disbelief and anger flickering in his eyes. “She lied?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I nodded. “She used the situation to stir up trouble between us. She knew it would cause problems, and she did it anyway.”

Sad middle-aged man | Source: Midjourney

Sad middle-aged man | Source: Midjourney

Ryan clenched his fists, anger radiating off him in waves. “I can’t believe she would do that. I feel like such an idiot.”

I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “You’re not an idiot, Ryan. But you need to see her for who she really is. We can’t let her manipulate us like this. We need to be stronger together.”

He looked at me, a mixture of regret and determination in his eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner.”

Middle-aged man hugging his wife | Source: Midjourney

Middle-aged man hugging his wife | Source: Midjourney

The next day, I texted Ryan’s ex. I calmly explained that I knew the truth and that the animals needed to go back to her place. When she tried to argue, I reminded her that her own landlord had no issue with pets. She had no choice but to take them back.

The girls were understandably upset when they found out that their mom had lied to them about the pets. It wasn’t easy for them to reconcile that their mom had used them as pawns in her own game. But in the end, it brought some much-needed clarity to the situation.

Girls holding their pets | Source: Midjourney

Girls holding their pets | Source: Midjourney

Ryan and I had a serious talk about trust and communication. I made it clear that if we were going to make this work, we needed to be a team, making decisions together and not letting outside forces pull us apart. He agreed, and while things weren’t perfect, we were on the same page for the first time in a long while.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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