A mentor I was working with told me that for a night 'on call' all you needed was a dress and drawers.

She meant that you have to have everything prepared to be able to jump out of bed and get dressed quickly and leave the house in less than 10 mins.

With that in mind, i was determined that I would be able to sleep because if I got a call out, I wanted to be refreshed enough to drive.

The only time I was called out, we met at 23:30 at this house, examined this primigravid women, was only 2cms, went back home - went to sleep and was called back at 01.30. Woman was 4 cms - we settled in for a beautiful homebirth. Ran out of entonox at 04.00 so offered to re-examine to see whether it was worth calling for some more. Still at 4 cms, no progress, no decent. Decision was made to transfer woman in for further pain relief.
She ended up having a forceps delivery late that afternoon.
Oh well, I will see a homebirth one day.
KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"