Re: [ozmidwifery] flash photography during birth
Yes and California too: I was a bit stunned. Amazingly enough a lot of our young parents were (at the time ) dot commers and so they were quite techy, photos appearing on the internet as the birth was happening (not all but some, ok) hence the need for a doula when dad is so occuppied It is possible that their flashes were aimed away from the baby's eyes. I am in the same place as mary and wouldn't fahs my baby but... marilyn - Original Message - From: Jen Semple To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 6:04 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] flash photography during birth Marilyn, was this true amongst homebirthers in Seattle too? That's really interesting. JenMarilyn Kleidon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I guess anecdotal evidence will not suffice for this gentleman, umh! If photographic eveidence is required then you could have high speed film, slow shutter speed and while you prolly wont get a great photo, you may have some evidence in the future. I had my camera set up like this for the birth of my third daughter and did get a lot lovely though grainy photos with no flash. This was 23 yrs ago and now nobody(that I have been around)seems concerned about the flash I am interested that this is still a concern. Have we just forgotten about it? marilyn Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
IF you want to avoid flash photography - how about a video and 'lift' a picture off that? The digital video cameras can take photos too, but I have captured stills of video footage on my computer Kirsten - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 7:28 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL Thanks for the replies Julie Marilyn. Re the flash. I have no proof, just going on instinct, but asmany of our births these days are waterbirths, I don't want a baby getting a fright gasping whilst still underwater. Also, I don't want a baby who has been born gently into dim light getting a huge flash of light just after birth. I would still be interested if anyone else has photos of a baby still in the caul. Cheers, M This was 23 yrs ago and now nobody(that I have been around)seems concerned about the flash I am interested that this is still a concern. Have we just forgotten about it?
Re: [ozmidwifery] USA job opportunity
Speaking from experience, RM here doesn't translate to CNM in the USA. The CNM is a Masters level qualification. There is an 18months conversion course you can do (I didn't, not worth it). Perhaps if you have a Masters in Mid here they would accept it Kirsten repat Aussie after two years in MN, USA - Original Message - From: Marilyn Kleidon [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 7:31 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] USA job opportunity I received this notice of a job opportunity at Davis, CA, USA. marilyn I'm sorry to intrude on your inboxes but we urgently need per diem CNMs here in Davis, CA. Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested. Thank you, Jenna Sutter West Women's Health in Davis, CA is looking for per-diem midwives to cover some/all of a full-time midwife's maternity leave (4/9/04 to 8/31/04), a 25% position (2 to 4 twenty-four hour on-call shifts per month 9/04 through 4/05, as well as vacations for 6 other midwives. Position(s) is/are very flexible and could include 8 hour office days in a private practice setting (primarily OB postpartum care, but some GYN and primary care too) and/or 24 hour intrapartum postpartum on-call shifts at Sutter Davis Hospital (you do not have to stay in-house while on-call). You could choose to do as few or as many shifts as you would like. Our practice is growing and it is likely that a new full-time CNM position will be created by 2005. This collaborative practice is an opportunity to work with wonderful people, practice evidence-based midwifery care, and enjoy a great work environment. The midwife practice averages 2-3 births per 24-hour period. We have 1 hour new OB visits, 20 min return OB visits, and 30 min postpartum/ annual visits. We also have group prenatal sessions that per diem midwives could choose to be involved in. Applicants with current California licensure, Spanish speaking abilities, experience with low-tech/ low intervention care, hands-on labor support, homebirths or births at freestanding birth centers, waterbirth, and/ or experience co-managing moderate to high risk women (diabetes, twins, etc.) are particularly encouraged to apply. Exceptional new grads will be considered. Please submit resume to Jenna Shaw-Battista, CNM at [EMAIL PROTECTED], by fax at (530) 750-5881, or mail: c/o SWWH, 2020 Sutter Place, Suite #203, Davis, CA 95616. Feel free to call with questions: (530) 750-5870. - -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
We had a preterm (34 week) TWIN born in the caul a few weeks ago, at the major teaching hospital, WITHOUT an epidural GASP SHOCK HORROR. This is what comes of letting wicked casual staff wander unsupervised around labour ward ;) KB - Original Message - From: Denise Hynd To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 10:34 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL What a sad/poor reflection of what happens in hospital birth!! I had not seen or been involved in such until I started attending Homebirths!I remember the first time wsatching inititially wondering what was happening then my first catch of a baby in the Caul being my own "now what is it I do?" Feeling the head and a hand through the bag!!Denise - Original Message - From: Mary Murphy To: list Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 7:08 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL Today a paediatric registrar told me that it was impossible for my recent client to have birthed her baby "in the caul". He was wanting photographic proof. I explained that we didn't take photos of such events because 1)it would mean using a "flash"-He couldn't see the problem , 2) we don't know in advance that it is going to happen. Does anyone have photos of this "impossible" event?cheers, MM
RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Private Insurance companies covering independent midwives?
I think the view from HBF is that it is no fault of the midwives that they cannot purchase professional indemnity insurance and should not be punished for something that is out of their control. Sally -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Marilyn Kleidon Sent: Wednesday, 25 February 2004 10:13 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Private Insurance companies covering independent midwives? Alphia: I think these are different insurance companies: some people have private health insurance that will reimburse for homebirths. Different beings to public indemnity insurance purchase by the independent midwives. marilyn - Original Message - From: Alphia Possamai-Inesedy To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 2:52 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Re: Private Insurance companies covering independent midwives? Jen, I was not aware that this was the case - do you know which private insurance companies do this? I find it surprising considering that independent midwives are not covered by indemnity insurance. I am currently finishing a subsection of my thesis on the indemnity crisis and found your news interesting. If you could help me out with this I would grealty appreciate it. Take care Alphia At 03:47 AM 17/02/2004, you wrote: Some private insurance companies cover the fee of a midwife in private practice. One to one care with a midwife she's known throughout pregnancy birth is her best bet for successful breast feeding. Best of luck, Jen Melissah Scott @ Spilt Art [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have someone who is about 18 weeks pregnant and fairly recently moved to the blue mountians (Katoomba) She is unsure of where to birth at the moment and is concidering birthing at nepean private to make use of her private health insurance. She is hoping to stay in hospital for about 5 or so days, and at nepean private her husband can stay with her. She wants to stay in for a few days because she is nervous about being able to breastfeed and take care of her bub, as she feels she has not much idea of what she is doing. So I sugested to her that maybe a doula could be of great benifit to her by the way of childbirth info, birthing and post natal care/advice etc. She is quite interested in talking to some doulas in the area. So, I thought Id try to get together a list of Doulas in the area to pass on to her. If anyone is interested, could you please either reply or email me directly with all your details [EMAIL PROTECTED] I know your around Abby, but I cant find your contact details. Thanks! Melissah www.Splitart.com Try the new improved Yahoo! Australia NZ Search Alphia Possamai-Inesedy Ba (Hons.) PhD. Candidate School of Applied and Human Sciences Bankstown Campus, University of Western Sydney UWS Locked Bag 1797 South Penrith Distribution Centre NSW 1797 Australia Phone: 02 97726628 Fax: 02 97726584
RE: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
Im rolling on the floor laughing even more so now Sally -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of JoFromOz Sent: Tuesday, 24 February 2004 9:59 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL Mary, I was there when that telephone conversation was going on... I had to walk away stiffling my giggles. The Paed isn't a registrar, he was a consultant! Later on he said to me, I suppose you will be wanting a water birth, next. I said, of course I will! ;) Jo Original Message From: Mary Murphy To: list Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 7:08 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL Today a paediatric registrar told me that it was impossible for my recent client to have birthed her baby in the caul. He was wanting photographic proof. I explained that we didn't take photos of such events because 1) it would mean using a flash- He couldn't see the problem , 2) we don't know in advance that it is going to happen. Does anyone have photos of this impossible event? cheers, MM -- Babies are Born... Pizzas are delivered.
Re: [ozmidwifery] flash photography during birth
To reduce the effect of the flash during birth and with young babies, simply hold a piece of tissue over the flash and they won't notice it going off. Make sure you are only holding it over the flash area. Jayne - Original Message - From: Marilyn Kleidon To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 1:39 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] flash photography during birth Yes and California too: I was a bit stunned. Amazingly enough a lot of our young parents were (at the time ) dot commers and so they were quite techy, photos appearing on the internet as the birth was happening (not all but some, ok) hence the need for a doula when dad is so occuppied It is possible that their flashes were aimed away from the baby's eyes. I am in the same place as mary and wouldn't fahs my baby but... marilyn - Original Message - From: Jen Semple To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 6:04 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] flash photography during birth Marilyn, was this true amongst homebirthers in Seattle too? That's really interesting. JenMarilyn Kleidon [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I guess anecdotal evidence will not suffice for this gentleman, umh! If photographic eveidence is required then you could have high speed film, slow shutter speed and while you prolly wont get a great photo, you may have some evidence in the future. I had my camera set up like this for the birth of my third daughter and did get a lot lovely though grainy photos with no flash. This was 23 yrs ago and now nobody(that I have been around)seems concerned about the flash I am interested that this is still a concern. Have we just forgotten about it? marilyn Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
Re: [ozmidwifery] USA job opportunity
You're quite right, Kirsten, most CNM's have master's degrees certainly all of the new grads, but it is the only way to practice in a USA hospital as a midwife and not an obstetric nurse. marilyn - Original Message - From: Kirsten Blacker [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 2:06 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] USA job opportunity Speaking from experience, RM here doesn't translate to CNM in the USA. The CNM is a Masters level qualification. There is an 18months conversion course you can do (I didn't, not worth it). Perhaps if you have a Masters in Mid here they would accept it Kirsten repat Aussie after two years in MN, USA - Original Message - From: Marilyn Kleidon [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 7:31 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] USA job opportunity I received this notice of a job opportunity at Davis, CA, USA. marilyn I'm sorry to intrude on your inboxes but we urgently need per diem CNMs here in Davis, CA. Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested. Thank you, Jenna Sutter West Women's Health in Davis, CA is looking for per-diem midwives to cover some/all of a full-time midwife's maternity leave (4/9/04 to 8/31/04), a 25% position (2 to 4 twenty-four hour on-call shifts per month 9/04 through 4/05, as well as vacations for 6 other midwives. Position(s) is/are very flexible and could include 8 hour office days in a private practice setting (primarily OB postpartum care, but some GYN and primary care too) and/or 24 hour intrapartum postpartum on-call shifts at Sutter Davis Hospital (you do not have to stay in-house while on-call). You could choose to do as few or as many shifts as you would like. Our practice is growing and it is likely that a new full-time CNM position will be created by 2005. This collaborative practice is an opportunity to work with wonderful people, practice evidence-based midwifery care, and enjoy a great work environment. The midwife practice averages 2-3 births per 24-hour period. We have 1 hour new OB visits, 20 min return OB visits, and 30 min postpartum/ annual visits. We also have group prenatal sessions that per diem midwives could choose to be involved in. Applicants with current California licensure, Spanish speaking abilities, experience with low-tech/ low intervention care, hands-on labor support, homebirths or births at freestanding birth centers, waterbirth, and/ or experience co-managing moderate to high risk women (diabetes, twins, etc.) are particularly encouraged to apply. Exceptional new grads will be considered. Please submit resume to Jenna Shaw-Battista, CNM at [EMAIL PROTECTED], by fax at (530) 750-5881, or mail: c/o SWWH, 2020 Sutter Place, Suite #203, Davis, CA 95616. Feel free to call with questions: (530) 750-5870. - -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
[ozmidwifery] DANGEROUS DELIVERIES: VICTORIA'S OBSTETRICS CRISIS RUNS DEEP
For your interest. Cheers, Joanne DANGEROUS DELIVERIES: VICTORIA'S OBSTETRICS CRISIS RUNS DEEP (StatelineVictoria: 13/02/2004)http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/vic/content/2003/s1044707.htm
Re: [ozmidwifery] DANGEROUS DELIVERIES: VICTORIA'S OBSTETRICS CRISIS RUNS DEEP
The following comments are particularly disturbing and perpetuate the need for docsmore thanmidwives. Where does he get his stats? DR SYD ALLEN SOUTHERN HEALTH: Amongst the 7,000 odd women that we look after for pregnancy in our health service, there are at least 1,000 or 2,000 at least, numbers of that type, that are absolutely normal pregnancies that do not need the skill in the scarce resource in obstetrics and anaesthesia that we have at our disposal. DR SYD ALLEN: One look at the 60,000 deliveries approximately in Victoria, it wouldn't be hard to say that 10,000 or 20,000 of those do not require high technology and could be looked after, whether it be at Dandenong, Casey, Williamstown, Seymour or Ferntree Gully by midwives with obstetricians being on hand to assist where necessary, probably infrequently. - Original Message - From: Mrs Joanne M Fisher To: Ozmidwifery Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 9:19 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] DANGEROUS DELIVERIES: VICTORIA'S OBSTETRICS CRISIS RUNS DEEP For your interest. Cheers, Joanne DANGEROUS DELIVERIES: VICTORIA'S OBSTETRICS CRISIS RUNS DEEP (StatelineVictoria: 13/02/2004)http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/vic/content/2003/s1044707.htm
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
The first time I birthed a baby in the caul was funny, the woman was on all fours so I was expecting to see the face first. Out slides this featureless head and my immediate thought was "Oh my God, this baby has no face! What will I say to the parents!" Then I laughed at myself and wiped the caul from the lovely little face. And that, Jan, is all you do, it's very stretched by then and often breaks soon after the head is born anyway. There are anecdotal accounts of multiple births at home where each small baby has come out complete in its sack. There are many beliefs surrounding being born in a caul. My mother used to tell me I had been born in the caul (at home naturally) and that it meant I would never drown at sea (a reassuring thought!) She told me that sailors used to prize cauls as powerful tokens of good luck and would buy them from the midwives to guard against drowning. Seems a good enough reason to me to leave things well alone! I'd better re-introduce myself, my name is Sue and I am a midwife at one of the smaller hospitalsin metro. I used to be on this list and have decided to check back and see what y'all have beenup to. Nice to'hear' from familiar 'voices'still around. Hello to Mary and Denise, and others. Regards, Sue - Original Message - From: Jen Semple To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:03 AM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL Hehehe, the obvious question from the midwife student for you wise midwives... What DO you do?! :o) JenDenise Hynd [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What a sad/poor reflection of what happens in hospital birth!! I had not seen or been involved in such until I started attending Homebirths!I remember the first time wsatching inititially wondering what was happening then my first catch of a baby in the Caul being my own "now what is it I do?" Feeling the head and a hand through the bag!!Denise Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
[ozmidwifery] A WA question for you
Dear WA Ozmid listers Does anyone know of any hospital or maternity unit closures in WA Barb Vernon is askingDenise
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
Fascinating! Thanks for sharing your experience, Sue. Jen 3rd year BMid student, MelbourneSusan Cudlipp [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The first time I birthed a baby in the caul was funny, the woman was on all fours so I was expecting to see the face first. Out slides this featureless head and my immediate thought was "Oh my God, this baby has no face! What will I say to the parents!" Then I laughed at myself and wiped the caul from the lovely little face. And that, Jan, is all you do, it's very stretched by then and often breaks soon after the head is born anyway. There are anecdotal accounts of multiple births at home where each small baby has come out complete in its sack. There are many beliefs surrounding being born in a caul. My mother used to tell me I had been born in the caul (at home naturally) and that it meant I would never drown at sea (a reassuring thought!) She told me that sailors used to prize cauls as powerful tokens of good luck and would buy them from the midwives to guard against drowning. Seems a good enough reason to me to leave things well alone! I'd better re-introduce myself, my name is Sue and I am a midwife at one of the smaller hospitalsin metro. I used to be on this list and have decided to check back and see what y'all have beenup to. Nice to'hear' from familiar 'voices'still around. Hello to Mary and Denise, and others. Regards, Sue Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
[ozmidwifery] UK Midwifery list
I think I remember people mentioning a UK Midwifery list... could I grab deatils about it, how to join, etc? Cheers, Jen Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
Actually Jo, I thought it must have been a Resident MO as he was so ignorant. I have emailed him the photos from Lieve in Holland. He will probably flip at the lurid colour of the baby up on the mothers chest, but the photos of the baby in caul emerging and the mother breaking the membranes herself, are wonderful. I have printed them off so I have the "photographic proof". Ask him if he received the emailed photos from me. Hi to Sue. Good to know you are back on the list again. we value your contributions. Cheers, MM . "Mary, I was there when that telephone conversation was going on... I had to walk away stiffling my giggles. The Paed isn't a registrar, he was a consultant! Later on he said to me, "I suppose you will be wanting a water birth, next."
Re: [ozmidwifery] UK Midwifery list
Hi Jen, You can visit the site at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ukmidwifery/and join from there. It was created by the Association of Radical Midwives. It's a very busy list! Andrea - Original Message - From: Jen Semple To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 1:47 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] UK Midwifery list I think I remember people mentioning a UK Midwifery list... could I grab deatils about it, how to join, etc? Cheers, Jen Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
I'm working again tomorrow, so I'll ask him. Did he give you his address? Wow... :) I noticed the colour of the baby too... Aren't most babies that colour when they first come out?? hehe Jo Original Message From: Mary MurphyTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2004 10:53 AMSubject: Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL Actually Jo, I thought it must have been a Resident MO as he was so ignorant. I have emailed him the photos from Lieve in Holland. He will probably flip at the lurid colour of the baby up on the mothers chest, but the photos of the baby in caul emerging and the mother breaking the membranes herself, are wonderful. I have printed them off so I have the "photographic proof". Ask him if he received the emailed photos from me. Hi to Sue. Good to know you are back on the list again. we value your contributions. Cheers, MM . "Mary, I was there when that telephone conversation was going on... I had to walk away stiffling my giggles. The Paed isn't a registrar, he was a consultant! Later on he said to me, "I suppose you will be wanting a water birth, next." -- Babies are Born... Pizzas are delivered.
[ozmidwifery] Info on active versus physiological management of third stage.
Hi, My name is Dorothy and I am currently doing my postgraduate diploma in Midwifery and I am doing a research paper on the pros and cons of active versus physiological management of third stage of labour. What I was wondering is does anyone know of some good research articles that addresses this subject I have found a couple but need five for my assignment. I have to critique them. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can give me with this. Regards Dorothy Thomas -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Fw: BabyTagMediaOpportunity
sorry about the triple copy, I don't know why it did that. I will have to be more careful next time. would sending it CC instead of all the people on the "to" line help? MM
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
No, he didn't give me the address, but I don't want the person who did, to get into trouble. It wasn't midwifery or nursing staff. MM
RE: [ozmidwifery] A WA question for you
Jane Talbot in Kalamunda said that they have been told that they will close but it has not happened yet. Sally -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Denise Hynd Sent: Wednesday, 25 February 2004 9:40 AM To: list Subject: [ozmidwifery] A WA question for you Dear WA Ozmid listers Does anyone know of any hospital or maternity unit closures in WA Barb Vernon is asking Denise
Re: [ozmidwifery] UK Midwifery list
Title: Re: [ozmidwifery] UK Midwifery list .S. To learn more about the ukmidwifery group, please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukmidwifer Greetings, Lieve On 25-02-2004 03:47, Jen Semple [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think I remember people mentioning a UK Midwifery list... could I grab deatils about it, how to join, etc? Cheers, Jen Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. http://au.rd.yahoo.com/mail/tagline/*http://au.movies.yahoo.com
Re: [ozmidwifery] BORN IN CAUL
Hello fellow ozmiders. I have pasted below a birth story from my journal of a babe born in the caul.I have had three women in my time as a mid student, birth their babes in the caulthe first at home thru water.then this wonderful birth with 'Kirsty' in hospital on the shower floorand again recentlya wonderful hospital birth...again in the shower Cheers Tina Pettigrew. 3rd year B Mid Student ACU Melb - Home tonight from another day of birthing 'with woman'. I started back on placement today - 2/days a week for the next couple of months. ON arriving this morning, the 'board' in birth suite was full with labouring women and/or women who had recently birthed their babes...I was allocated to work with a young woman in 'early' labour. Labour commenced at 2100hrs last night with irregular tightenings and a large bloody show. Kirsty arrived at hospital at 0400hrs this morning...today her EDB...healthy pregnancy. I met 18 yr old Kirsty (not her real name) her ex partner and their little boy (16 month toddler). Kirsty was on the bed leaning over the bean bag. Ex partner, 24 yr old...father of both the children...was present to care for the toddler as they have noone else to support them. Both Kirsty's parents are in jail...her only local family an elderly grandmother...Ex partner also soon to be imprisoned in a few weeks time... Instantly we connected.the partner was in and out of the room with the small childso she was all aloneshe was frightened and in pain. Her labour with her first babe was 25 hours, epidural, ventouse and 2 degree tear... This labour was beginning to escalate when I arrived 0730 hrs. I offered her words of encouragement.massage for her low back painand finally coaxed her into the shower on the mediball at 0800.Kirsty was very tired...having been awake all night, and with 16 month old toddler in tow who had not yet slept Lights dimed in the shower, hot water and rocking on medi ball, midwife student shoes off bear feet, pants rolled up to my knees...working with her, with 16 month toddler under my arm pit wondering what mum was doingtoddler on my knee now (trying to keep him out of the water :-)) partner returns from outside and takes toddler for walk...Kirsty making heaps of birth noise, and needing to rest...lays down on the mat in the shower...hot water running over her...its all quiet and dark, just the sound of running waterby 0900...Kirsty really working hard now...says she's going to diewants the pain to stop...Partner returns...toddler in towKirsty 'freaks out' with him present now...fearful for him "seeing me in pain" wants him to go. Really distressed and, crying, screaming for me to make it all stop...I stroke her foreheadtake her in my arms and cuddle on the shower floor...she ceases to cry...wants a VE to assess her progress before having an epidural. O/VE 6-7cmwon't have gas (says she'll die)decides no epidural...and has 100mgs of IM pethide, tries some gas with some great words from the midwife who is alittle more assertive with her than me, she eventually refocuses on birthing her babymembranes still intact...RMO wanting to rupture themmidwife does some fancy foot work with the doctor...no ARM :-)) The next hour is s intense...Kirsty's labour is full on now...still in the shower...sucking on the gas...leaning up over her partner who is on the mediball...then at 1015 hours...that incredible birth roar came...a sensation new to Kirsty who felt none of her 2nd stage with babe no 1. with the epidural. Reassuring her "you are safe" its "OK to go with what you are feeling"Kirsty begins the work of pushing her babe out...over a bean bag now (still in the shower and wasn't I popular with the Div 2 - a wet soggy bean bag!!!) I can see her babes head emergingas the babes begins to crown...Kirsty instinctively reaches down to touch her babe and reassure herself that she was not "fucking splitting apart"and gently, ever so gently, she breathes her 3505gm daughter out and into my hands at 1044 hrsbabe born in the caulmembranes still intact that I gently peel away as I pass her thru Kirsty's legs and lay her down beneath her.she is euphoric...triumphant...!!! Active third stage...1ml IM syntometrine and CCT...EBL 150ml... Babe beautiful breastfeeder(Kirsty BF babe no. 1 for 11 months)...Perineum intact...no other tears or grazes :-)) Midwife student delighted!! I continue to be amazed at the strengh of 'woman'...this young woman...with the odds stacked against hera long road ahead of her...but she is a fighter and with strengh beyond words...I continue to learn so much from women like Kirsty...they teach us what it is to be resilient...strong and determined in life. To be present 'with' her today was a true honour and a privilege.
