Allison,
What a sad end to what could have been a really positive experience for both
of you. I dont' have time and sit down and write any profound or
professional opinions (it's the breaky run) but your letter disturbed me
because of the clients apparent indifference to your good practice. Good
Luck for all future clients, hopefully they are not as rude.
Must run (quickly)
Cheryl
>From: "allison buck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>Subject: Understanding?
>Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2001 16:52:28 +0000
>
>I write to explore the events that have occured in my practice as a
>Hospital
>Based Midwife in the past week.
>
>I am on night shift at present, and we all know the challenges that sunset
>seem to bring. Never do these things seem to occur during day light hours,
>or if they do, seem quite trivial, with a Hospital full of Medical
>resources.
>
>After receiving handover on this cold, wintery night, I freely volunteered
>to care for 'the homebirth' woman.
>
>The instances that had seen this lady admitted to our Birth Unit, included
>a
>prolonging of her second stage (over 5 hours prior to admission), prolonged
>rupture of membranes (45 hours) and incoordinate and dwindling uterine
>contractions.
>
>My background is of course as a Hospital Based midwife for the past 5
>years.
> I am strongly involved in supporting women, and their families in the
>choices that they make, whilst at the same time, being governed by the
>Hospital in which I work, and which, in turn provides the safety and
>support
>that I need. I have at some times thought of the possibility of entering
>private practice, but for me I feel that the right time for that may be
>many
>years away.
>
>Following handover I was introduced to the couple I was then going to care
>for and support during their birth experience. I was not greeted by a
>smile
>or hello, and yes I can fully understand that Hospital was not where they
>wanted to be. How great it was to be with a couple who were making choices
>and deciding for themselves. Alternatively, I work within policies. You
>can plainly see the dilemma beginning to arise for myself. I needed to be
>supportive, but also the devil's advocate for all the 'what ifs'. Is this
>my role? Yes, absolutely, but is it also the role of the Independent
>Midwife
>to do this before leaving the comforts of home? That's Ok, I understand.
>
>The lady's GP was a wonderful support to both the couple and myself.
>Agreeing to be 'baby nurse' as the couple refused to have another Midwife
>present for the Birth. That's OK, I understand.
>
>A healthy baby boy was born at 10.30 that evening with the help of a
>Syntocinin Infusion, and a lot of 2nd stage coaching by Her Independent
>Midwife and Myself. A wonderful outcome achieved. A few smiles and nods
>of
>thankyou were circulated throughout the room, but none unfortunately in my
>direction, as I waited for pulsations to cease of the cord. That's OK, I
>understand.
>
>A long 8 1/2 hour second stage, and after 45 minutes no signs of a
>placents,
>was I worried about a PPH or a manual removal? Absolutely, and is that so
>wrong? My concerns were unfounded when after an hour, She had Her
>placenta,
>complete with a scant amount of vaginal blood loss. "Can I pop this arm
>band
>on your baby?" I asked, and was met with a firm "no, we will not be
>separated". That's OK, I understand.
>
>After a beautiful 2 hour breastfeed, and well deserved shower, the couple
>went home four hours after the Birth. Armed full of contact numbers,
>answers to possible scenarios that could happen before their Midwife sees
>them in the morning, and my best wishes and congratulations, the couple
>entered the coldness of the night. There was no acknowledgement or
>thankyous offered.
>That, I do not understand.
>
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