COTW SMNET Catch of the week 30/1/12

iolaus · Jan 30, 2012

For anyone who's not sure - these are real situations designed to help you get an idea of what other people would do in this situation, to help you evaluate the care you'd provide, to get other ideas if you are in the situation in the future - and to make you realise just how much there is to learn in midwifery and just when you think you have it sussed something will happen to make you realise that nature has ways of taking us all by surprise, no matter how experienced you are. The women and their families have very kindly agreed for their experiences to be shared online, or the experiences are already detailed and shared with the public, and in accordance with the NMC all are completely anonymous.

Some of these situations will be lovely normal births, others will end up in theatre or have a nice birth with complications afterwards, as in real life not all pregnancies will have a happy ending. There are various settings so don’t forget where you are (can’t transfer to theatre from a homebirth without ringing an ambulance etc). Intermixed with the intrapartum cases there will be antenatal or postnatal scenarios thrown in as midwifery is not all about the birth.

Each event will last for 1 week, with me setting the scenario on the Monday and unfolding a bit more each day until Sunday when I conclude it, ready for the next. However if I am around and basic questions are asked (such as why I did something or what something means) then I’ll answer them earlier.

Join in, make comments - be they practical suggestions of what could have been done, a 'OMG I'd never have done that', a 'why did that happen?', 'similar thing happened to me', or a 'I haven't got a clue - hope mum and baby were ok'. The more people and comments who are part of this the more fun and interactive

You are a midwife in a stand alone birth centre, at present you are the only qualified member of staff there as both the other two midwives have gone out to a homebirth, the woman was 7cm an hour ago.
3am You answer the phone to Sarah, who tells you she’s having contractions every two minutes and wants a waterbirth.

soapbox26 · Jan 30, 2012

Subscribing!

Sunny · Jan 30, 2012

I'd ask about how labour has been going, how long has she been contracting, has she SROMed, had a show?

Don't you need x2 midwives for the birth so assess whether or not to contact the midwives at the woman at 7cm, though she's likely further along now.

Just thinking aloud then, waiting and watching with interest!

Sapphire · Jan 30, 2012

Ask Sarah about SROM, PV loss, fetal movements, make sure she's booked under MLC. Ask her to make her way in. Start running the pool.

Who else is with you in the birth centre? Students, MCAs? Can you request any community or hospital midwives to come over and support you?

muffinbuns · Jan 30, 2012

As the others have said above, ask the usual questions (fetal movements, SPROM, any discharge, how long have contractions been going on, does she have any concerns, I would also ask who she is bringing in as if it is just me at the moment it could be helpful to have support from her partner/family member). Invite Sarah in to the birth centre. Defs going to need support from another midwife, is there anyone you can call to come in as it would be a thought in the back of my head that these two could birth at the same time, or what if there is an emergency? Any students or MCA around?

What is the story of the first lady? No concerns with her? I would be assessing the situation with her as well, especially if she wasn't a primip as she could go quickly now. To be honest, she could go quickly even if she was a primip actually, so I would be staying close to her until Sarah came in.

Koalagrrry · Jan 30, 2012

Whats been said already, really.

Ashlee · Jan 30, 2012

Do you try to get further midwives in if possible or do you say the unit is closed and direct to the nearest one. I'm thinking as its just Tuesday you would be doing the first of the 2. x

Strawberry · Jan 30, 2012

as above.

Ask her about fetal movements, has she SROMed? If so what colour is it and when? Normal straight forward pregnancy (so can she definititely deliver at the birthing centre)? How often are the contractions, how long do they last, how long since they started? Are they very painful or can she talk through them? You will probably be on the phone while she has a contraction if they are as often as she says so you can get an idea through that.

Is it her first baby? If not, has she got childcare arrangements sorted? Tell her to make her way in, have something to eat and drink if she wants to first, otherwise come straight in.

Make sure equipment is ready, I probably wouldnt run the pool just yet. Probably wouldnt call another midwife in yet either actually, if shes a primip it might be a while until she delivers. Just wait for her to come in!

Mush · Jan 30, 2012

Just subscribing. I hope this time next year I will know enough to feel like I can make a useful contribution!

rosienorth · Jan 30, 2012

subscribing, me too babooshca!

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COTW SMNET Catch of the week 30/1/12

iolaus Education Moderator

soapbox26 Member

Sunny Well-Known Member

Sapphire Member

muffinbuns Member

Koalagrrry Well-Known Member

Ashlee Well-Known Member

Strawberry Active Member

Mush Well-Known Member

rosienorth Member

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