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COTW SMNET Catch of the week 19/12/11

Discussion in 'Catch Of The Day' started by iolaus, Dec 19, 2011.

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  1. iolaus Education Moderator

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    As this is Christmas rather than the usual COTW I thought I’d take us back in time, both to the very first Catch of the week (it was over 2years ago so lots of new members) and back to 1817, for us to appreciate what we have now (and for me to have a break and not come up with a new one) – the old thread has been deleted, so no cheating and enjoy yourselves.
    To give a back ground to it

    It is 1817 (in the UK)

    There is no mention of recording the FH until 1818, so no pinards etc

    Caesereans do exist but tend to kill the mother (in 1865 66 out of 77mothers died) so tend to just be used in perimortem situation (dead mother - try and save the baby)

    Forceps have been invented and certain doctors will use them (there is one locally for a price, this family are rich enough to afford it)

    Midwives didn't have any drugs but relied on herbs (but the books didn't mention type)

    Obstetric history
    The woman is healthy in her early 20s.

    She has had one previous miscarriage in the first trimester.

    The woman is probably slightly anaemic as going by the suggested diet for pregnant women in the book there aren't many food sources rich in iron and she has had been 'bled' a few times in pregancy (at the time it was thought too much blood was bad for you so they'd take out a few ouncesat a time).

    Aside from a small bleed at 7 months with some back and stomach pain the pregnancy was uneventful and continued.

    Labour
    She is 42+ weeks pregnant when her Waters break, Liquor is clear. It is 7pm, she starts getting short, painful contractions 8 minutes apart.
    iolaus, Dec 19, 2011
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  2. Anaiya New Member

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    ooh I remember this one, so I will sit it out and read :)
    Anaiya, Dec 19, 2011
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  3. Penguin Moderatorgator

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    I am soo excited about this COTW but I think I'm going to have loads of questions.

    Are you with her? At her house? Or can she phone, ARE there phones? You mention herbs did they use homeopathy then?
    Penguin, Dec 19, 2011
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  4. Mum of three Member

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    Oooh how interestng thank you. No idea how it worked back then! Maybe get on your bicycle with your kit and go and see her. Do the do VE's? Bt worrying doing one with waters gone and no antibotics invented! No idea, get over there and check her over.
    Mum of three, Dec 19, 2011
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  5. Chemita New Member

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    Nope, no phones yet! I'm guessing we're there already or someone has come to tell us.

    So if not already there, I'd check I've got my bag packed and head on over. If with woman, I'd do whatever obs I can, try and check position of baby, ask about fetal movements, has she been eating and drinking.

    Now I'm off to do some research on 19th century midwifery!
    Chemita, Dec 19, 2011
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  6. Lil Miss Sunshine Welfare Moderator

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    Ooooh light the fire and make the house warm and get plenty of blankets out. I'm not sure what they had back in those days so will have to do a google search so i can participate in this one properly.
    Lil Miss Sunshine, Dec 19, 2011
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  7. lollyp0p Member

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    Oh I've been reading so many historical midwifery texts lately...

    Someone would have probably come to get the midwife, Once there I would try and make the room as warm as possible, so make sure a fire was built, ensure we had warm/hot water. maybe palpate the uterus during contractions and see how close together they are.

    Keep her mobile and warm...

    keep her mobile if contractions are showing required strength for the labour to progress and not just early labour.

    ensure I had some towels /rags, herbs to help with bleeding and although I have read of some recently they used in america I am not sure what they used in the UK at that time. no blue cohosh to help get the placenta out, I think that wasn't introduced until later...

    massage the mother maybe,
    lollyp0p, Dec 19, 2011
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  8. lollyp0p Member

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    Oh and I forgot, PRAY!!!
    lollyp0p, Dec 19, 2011
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  9. BossDog Active Member

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    Wow, how cool, this should be interesting!! Check mother is comfortable and warm, palpate contractions, encourage mobility, see if she wants anyone else with her (mother/sister/aunt, no men presumably?!)....check to make sure eaglestone is in my pocket!!
    ETA wondering if the size and shape of the pelvis would be assessed given the risk of rickets?
    BossDog, Dec 19, 2011
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  10. chubbylove Member

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    Oooh, I remember this one.
    Just going to sit and read :)
    chubbylove, Dec 19, 2011
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