Dear Allison,
No offence, but why were you there if the couple's midwife was present and
the GP??
That would no doubt be hospital policy. Right?? but why?? and why is it
like that?? Why can't the midwife/GP just bring women in and continue......
I'm disappointed for you that the couple appeared ungrateful, but it seems
that they had tried very hard to achieve what they set out to do and failed.
You were a stranger in their midst and most likely unwelcome. Let it go.
Liz
----- Original Message -----
From: "allison buck" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 8:52 PM
Subject: Understanding?
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
IndependentMidwife 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 nodsof
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 sowrong? 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 beseparated". 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 thank
yous offered.
That, I do not understand.
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