This is my reflection of my first 'hands on' delivery.
I took over the care of a lovely lady who was doing really well, her contractions were regular and quite strong, however she was 'holding back' from progressing any further due to a problem she had with her last delivery that had been quite traumatic for her.
While my mentor went and got a few things ready, read the notes etc, I stayed with the lady and monitored her and baby every 15 mins, reassured her, and generally told her how well she was doing.
My mentor was just trying to assess whether or not the
Waters had broken when she came back in the room, when there was a gush of
Liquor, no need to check that then lol. She asked me to document it and put the time of the SROM. Within a couple of seconds she was yelling to me to 'put some gloves on quick' and pass her some.
We just literately had time to put the gloves on when the vertex was visible. My mentor quickly explained where I needed to put my hands, explained what to do and why etc. and with the next contraction baby was delivered. Mum just had a small tear which didn't need suturing.
It was so quick, and so amazing, I can't believe I actually did it, the baby was a beautiful little girl and she was fine at delivery. My mentor then helped me deliver the placenta, explaining what to do and why etc, and it was delivered perfectly.
Baby was put into skin to skin with Mum, and we left them and Dad to get to know each other for a while, and when we returned to the room, baby had latched on the breast and was feeding like a dream.
It will be an experience I will always remember, and one I am very proud to have been involved in.