Random waffling from Dory.
A bit about me - I am a married mother of three, living on the South coast of England, and qualified as a midwife in October 2005
A bit about me - I am a married mother of three, living on the South coast of England, and qualified as a midwife in October 2005
Awestruck
I started a night shift, and was asked to care for J, who was being induced for prolonged rupture of membranes. Syntocinon had just been started, and the day midwife was worried because she was declining analgesia - she had had three previous normal births.
I went in and introduced myself, and J and I discussed her plans for the birth. She said that once she got to full dilatation she tended to have her babies very quickly, and that she was aware of the options for pain relief and would ask me if she wanted anything. J's sisters were with her, and as her contractions increased she put her ipod on, and focussed on breathing through her contractions and listening to her music. Her contractions were obviously becoming more painful, and she as going 'into' herself through them. I brough my cup of tea into the room and sat with the three women, keeping an eye on the CTG (which was on due to the syntocinon) from my corner. At one point one of the sisters asked me when I was going to do something as J was obviously in more pain - I replied that she was coping beautifully with support from people she loved, that I was not going anywhere, and that I would put my gloves on when her sister told me it was time.
About 20 minutes later, J took her earphones out and said she thought it was time to push. I asked her if she thought it was, or if she knew that it was, but from the tone of her voice I was already on my way for those gloves! Her baby was born three minutes later - I was fumbling to get the cord clamps and scissors out of the pack as I watched the head being born! J had a tiny tear as the baby had his hand up by his head, but this did not require sutures.
The baby was a good size, and pretty much latched himself on the breastfeed. Both sisters were in floods of tears - depite being mothers themselves they had never seen a baby being born, and were completely in awe of their sister. I made a pot of tea and a stack of toast for the family, and busied myself with the paperwork, wondering why I never have a student with me when I look after amazing women like these.....
I went in and introduced myself, and J and I discussed her plans for the birth. She said that once she got to full dilatation she tended to have her babies very quickly, and that she was aware of the options for pain relief and would ask me if she wanted anything. J's sisters were with her, and as her contractions increased she put her ipod on, and focussed on breathing through her contractions and listening to her music. Her contractions were obviously becoming more painful, and she as going 'into' herself through them. I brough my cup of tea into the room and sat with the three women, keeping an eye on the CTG (which was on due to the syntocinon) from my corner. At one point one of the sisters asked me when I was going to do something as J was obviously in more pain - I replied that she was coping beautifully with support from people she loved, that I was not going anywhere, and that I would put my gloves on when her sister told me it was time.
About 20 minutes later, J took her earphones out and said she thought it was time to push. I asked her if she thought it was, or if she knew that it was, but from the tone of her voice I was already on my way for those gloves! Her baby was born three minutes later - I was fumbling to get the cord clamps and scissors out of the pack as I watched the head being born! J had a tiny tear as the baby had his hand up by his head, but this did not require sutures.
The baby was a good size, and pretty much latched himself on the breastfeed. Both sisters were in floods of tears - depite being mothers themselves they had never seen a baby being born, and were completely in awe of their sister. I made a pot of tea and a stack of toast for the family, and busied myself with the paperwork, wondering why I never have a student with me when I look after amazing women like these.....
Total Comments 13
Comments
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What a fab post Dory... Thank you for sharing!
xxPosted 01-Jun-2008 at 16:29 by KarrierBag
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I love your stories dory
You're right- why do students never get to be in deliveries like that? i'm sure i would be in floods of tears too!!!
xxxxxxx
Posted 01-Jun-2008 at 17:14 by Butterfly 
- wow dory. I can't wait to start and hope i get to be present at births like this.
Thanks for sharing that Dory xxPosted 01-Jun-2008 at 17:59 by Billynomates -
All i can say dory is thank you for sharing your wonderful stories with us.Posted 01-Jun-2008 at 20:24 by macdonz -
That is another wonderful reflection Dory, I only wish I got to experience things like that when I am on placement. Thanks so much for sharing that.Posted 01-Jun-2008 at 21:52 by midwifemissy -
That's a brilliant birth story. Thanks for sharing. J was lucky to have a midwife like you with her, who was happy just to sit and watch.
Posted 02-Jun-2008 at 10:39 by Shoshana - Well done you for listening to what she wanted and not being worried like the midwife previously looking after her. Thanks for such a nice reflection.Posted 02-Jun-2008 at 12:37 by cheekymonkey
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Thats an amazing story, thank you for sharing it with us deliveries like that are just so amazing!Posted 02-Jun-2008 at 14:28 by Justineb1988 -
thats lovely dory, i shall ask for nights with you if you get a good run of births it sounds like the purfict birthPosted 02-Jun-2008 at 18:05 by rose-a-lita -
Wonderful story, I love reading all about life as a midwife and Dory you semm to be able to relate the experience so well, it's almost as if I'm there.
Thanks again!
JoPosted 02-Jun-2008 at 20:33 by dodo70 -
What a fab story and how nice of you to make all the family toast. When both my sons were born (two separate occasions) the midwives brought me toast but nothing for my poor husband who had had just as long without eating as I did but didn't have the labour experience to distract him from hunger.Posted 02-Jun-2008 at 21:16 by RainbowGoddess -
I want to clone you and make you the Universal Mentor xPosted 03-Jun-2008 at 00:21 by TallPoppy -
Fab as ever Dory
xxxPosted 03-Jun-2008 at 13:26 by upsy daisy
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