Delivery suite

Posted 29-Apr-2008 at 08:56 by midwifemissy

I have had quite a difficult shift yesterday. had my second witness, in the morning, but when the baby was born she was rather flat, she needed a couple of rescue breaths, but then picked up quite well, by the time Mum was sorted the baby was ready to feed which was lovely to see.

Towards the end of the shift, I went with my mentor to care for a lady who was in 2nd stage and doing well. I thought it was going to be great to get two witnesses on the same shift. But it soon became apparent to my mentor that all was not well. There were marked decelerations on the CTG, and these were taking too long to recover.

A doctor was called and a ventouse performed, but when the baby was born she was very flat, she was so limp and lifeless, it was really scary to see.

She did come round after a little while and is fine now, but I found it a really difficult experience, I felt in the way on the room, as it was filled with so many people, and I seemed to get in the way of someone wherever I stood. Also there was nothing I could do, only stand and watch what was happening, and I have never felt to helpless.

I guess the good thing to come out of this is that both baby's are well, and I am thankful for that.

I will hopefully have chance to talk it through with my mentor today as we didn't get chance yesterday.

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	$coffeebean\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$ At least the outcomes were positive. I suppose there are experiences we learn from and deal with.
	Posted 29-Apr-2008 at 10:08 by coffeebean

$tracyb\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

mm don't worry about it, It is difficult to deal with these situations, and as you say it always seems like we are the ones in the way, we are not, it is all good experience for you, even though right now its too soon to take the enormity of it all in. x

Posted 29-Apr-2008 at 16:27 by tracyb tracyb is offline

	$macdonz\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$ i suppose as with every job u take the rough with the smooth, and unless you witness births like this you will not be able to learn from them
	Posted 29-Apr-2008 at 18:23 by macdonz

$Shoshana\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

Sorry to hear you're feeling a bit 'down' following this shift. It's always a tense time, when a baby is born floppy. But, that's where the training comes in. You need to be present in the room to learn from those with experience. If ever you feel "in the way", think about the woman and go to the head end of the bed, to offer her support and reassurance, as much as possible. The poor woman and partner are often forgotten, when everyone's attention is focused on the baby.

Try to remember too that babies are very resilient. With correct management the vaste majority of baby's born "flat" respond well and are fine afterwards.

It's unfortunate that you saw 2 babies needing resuscitation in the same shift.

Posted 29-Apr-2008 at 18:47 by Shoshana Shoshana is offline

$Bunny\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Avatar$

Aw, MWmissy, it's horrible isn't it? I was with a woman who had a Shoulder Dystocia and I've never felt so frightened or useless in my life. Thankfully, happy outcome in that case as well.

It's a valuable learning experience, so how about seeing if you can get a de-brief, and perhaps looking at the CTG again?

Posted 13-Jul-2008 at 05:24 by Bunny Bunny is offline

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