Hello Lindsay
It is frustrating working in a pte hospital because the contract is between the woman and her practitioner. There isn't anything we can do when we finally meet the woman except give her our best care. What we need to do is enlighten the next generation. In particular, go into the kinders and primary schools and teach the public health benefits of midwifery care and normal birth. One of my survival tricks is to create a midwifery circle or space around the woman I am caring for and do whatever I can the midwifery way. Obs will usually leave BF management and other 'basic'cares up to the midwife. During labour we can help women with their pain management before resorting to an epidural. There are lots of little 'delaying ' techniques that can be implemented such as going to the toilet. This usually takes 30-40 minutes when women are in good labour, which can mean another centimetre!! Hang in there, you will have more choice when you are finished your mid course and can work in other settings.
Cheers
Jenny
Jennifer Cameron FRCNA FACM PO Box 1465 Howard Springs NT 0835
0419 528 717
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike & Lindsay Kennedy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 10:21 PM
Subject: [ozmidwifery] First "birth"
I am studying to be a Midwife, doing a Diploma of Mid, here in Queensland.
Coming from NZ and having had my babies at home, I have a pretty 'normal'
view of birth, so have found Midwifery here somewhat surprising if not
shocking! I had the pleasure of 'catching' my first baby last week. I was
a little saddened that my first baby was born by Caesarean Section!!
I have spent the last week working in a private hospital, where it seems
nearly all babies are born by C/s. It seems so tragic that these women who
are paying for the 'best' care are being cheated of what can be the most
rewarding and amazing experience of a woman' life. I know that some women
need to have c/s, but the first c/s I witnessed was for Breech presentation,
imagine my surprise when the baby came out head first. The next one was
because the baby was 'huge'. I weighed that baby... just on 8lb.
It all seems distorted with women choosing Specialist care that seems to
make them at higher risk for any birth interventions, particularly c/s. Yet
women tell me that going to an Obstetrician means that they don't have to
wait up at the hospital clinics for hours, and at least they see the same
person each visit. I understand where they are coming from, it just seems
that, that 'one person' they see, should be a Midwife.
Disillusioned:( Lindsay
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