Re: [ozmidwifery] Student's support role

[shaz42]

Kirsten as a newly qualified midwife who has supported women during birth 
when a student I wish you luck. You need to be very strong for both the 
woman and her partner in what she wants to get out of her birth. I suggest 
that when you are with the woman and her partner during the birth you act as 
her advocate and speak up for her but at the same time ensure that both the 
wom,an and the unborn baby are not in any danger from what you are 
suggesting. A woman will adopt a position which she feels comfortable and 
safe in. There are ways around monitoring such as intermittent monitoring of 
the fetus using Doppler or using the telemetric ctg instead of forcing the 
woman to lay on the bed. Good luck with your role as support person. You 
could try reading some of the birthing books that women read to find out 
positions act or speak to the midwives at the clinic when you attend with 
the woman  they are a invaluable source of information.

Enjoy  your time as a student
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kirsten Wohlt" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au>
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2005 9:17 AM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] Student's support role

Hi all,
As a 2nd year BMid student with very limited experience of being present at 
births, I wonder if I may ask for some tips on how to support women in 
labour. I have attended only 3 births, and have contributed to some degree 
by being there to hold a woman's hand or bring her ice or a cool cloth, or 
speak an encouraging word - very much been working on the 'less is more' 
basis and being a quiet support presence.  I have one woman now who is 
planning a VBAC and has some specific requests regarding my support role, 
but I don't know where to start, and I don't want to go in there feeling 
nervous and tense!  Her first birth was long and painful, ending in an 
emergency c-section following a 'failed' induction. She remembers 
essentially lying in the bed the whole time, not walking around, and having 
several doses of pethadine.  This time she wants to stay active and upright 
and would rather have limited/no drugs.  She says that she knows she will 
not want to walk once she is in labour and wants her husband and I to be 
strong and 'make' her.  She also wants me to think about ways to encourage 
her, or positions that may help.  I don't have any idea how to start...any 
pointers?  Articles, texts, experience?  I will do web research and look 
through my uni texts, but I know there will be an awful lot out there - some 
pointers which will help refine the search would be really appreciated.

Many thanks,
Kirsten
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