Hi Jo,
I really believe fear has a great impact
on labour and outcomes. Recently I
took over the care of a young woman who had remained at 3cm dilation all
night. She had her last VE at 6am (still 3cm) and I am sure she was only left that long because the
doctor didn’t want to get out of bed! The doctor was coming in at 8.30. I started my shift at 7am. Previously I had met
the couple briefly when they popped into the hospital with a concern – I had
been in a particularly silly mood that day and had made some pretty silly (amusing)
comments which obviously stuck in their minds. When the doctor arrived the girl was
feeling pushy and I told the doctor that there had been obvious progress and I
would let her know when I needed her! (This doctor likes to “deliver”
her “patients” babies with the most ferocious directed pushing I
have seen). The young girl never hit the bed from the moment I came on –
she birthed her baby gently in the standing position (no direction from anyone
except her body) and then wandered around with her baby in her arms until she
squatted to deliver the placenta.
It was a particularly beautiful birth and it happened at 9am! The doctor almost
cried herself – I let her know at the last possible moment of the
impending birth and then wouldn’t move out the way to let her take over. The couple told me later that they hadn’t
felt safe or cared for by the night midwife. This is not a comment on her care as the
midwife is, I believe, a particularly good and non-interventionist one (she has
only recently started at our hospital).
The midwife and couple had obviously “not connected” and it
was probably only the fortunate fact that I had met the couple previously that
they immediately relaxed with me. I
do not mean here to sound my own trumpet - I am no better than any other
midwife – I firmly believe it was the woman’s lack of feelings of
safety (?fear) that delayed her progress overnight.
I have other examples, but I must let
others have a turn!!!!
Cheers, Edwina J
Subject: [ozmidwifery] birth and the power of the mind
Could people please share their knowledge on how
fear can impact (or doesn't if the case may be) on labour lengths and
especially in regards to vbac. .
Also does anyone have comments on "is simply
providing information alleviate fear?" When women are 'empowered
through information' is this really all that needs to be done to empower, or
does faith have an important role to play? Does the faith or trust of
those around the birthing women have an impact on her empowerment?
There's a couple of questions for those beautiful
midwifery students to ponder (and the seasoned professional).
Jo Bainbridge
founding member CARES SA
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
phone: 08 8388 6918
birth with trust, faith & love...
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