Awww, lovely.

My first ever witness was a homebirth, just one week into my first ever placement.

The woman was a G2 P1, and lived on a farm. She laboured in her living room, with the tv on, a fire roaring in the hearth (it was the end of october). She had her mother, husband and two year old daughter in the room with her, although as the evening and the labour progressed, the little girl was put to bed.

She did so well, using a TENS as her only pain relief and mobilising lots. She was very patient with me when i attempted my very tentative pulse and fetal heart observations, to which I am eternally grateful to her.

Eventually, she said she felt the urge to push, and she leant over the kitchen worktop, with her mother by her side.
The baby's father had been asked earlier in the evening if he wished to help deliver the baby, and he was ready there on his knees with his gloves on!

The midwife I was with encouraged the woman, ensuring a slow delivery of the head, then seconds later, the father was asked to come forward.

The father then, with the midwife's hands on his, delivered the baby, wrapped him and passed him up to mum.

Mintues later, mum and baby were settled on the sofa for a bit of skin to skin, as we awaited a physiological third stage. Placenta delivered around 15 minutes later with no concerns.

The atmosphere in the room was so intensely happy and joyful, and the delivery itself so calm and controlled. I could feel myself welling up, as the woman's mum congratulated them, and thanked myself and the two midwives for our help, although it felt that we'd done nothing.

It was a fantatic first experience, and really showed me what true "normal" deliveries are like and that they do exist. At christmas, I was given a card with a thankyou note in and a photo of us all sat on the sofa together shortly after the birth. It was truly amazing, and a real precious memory to me. I feel truly honoured to have been part of such a beautiful birth, and the memory of this delivery will stay with me forever.

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Student die Hebamme und ich liebe es!
(Student Midwife and I love it!)