1st birth - pass out?

Didn't like the first suturing I witnessed, as I thought it was a fish hook they put in there and memories of cruel in adequate analgesis of my first birth came flooding back.

I saw my niece being born in 2005. It was the first experience I had of watching a birth in person. Up until then I'd only seen natural/C-section births on TV (and had always found them fasinating!). I was so thrilled when my sister said I could be there when she gave birth. It was in a hospital and I wasn't really meant to be in there as she already had two other visitors in the room (our mum and her best friend) but teh midwife let me in - yay! It was a very relaxed situation to be honest. The room was really dim, everyone seemed very carm (though the best friend looked a little woozy!) and I was sooooo excited! It may sound crazy but I just felt so privilaged to be seeing my niece from minute one. The birth was over in seconds and me and my mum were both crying!! I was really anxious that my sister should get to hold the baby as soon as possible, and the look on her face as she was passed to her was just amazing. It's such a special moment and one that will always stay with me.

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Student on the Access to Health Studies course at Somerset College 2008/09!!

The first birth I witnessed had me a bit dumbfounded more than anything. When the mum became fully dilated and entered transition she said " I've had enough" climbed of the bed and hobbled quickly over to the door to leave. Midwife, her husband and myself were speechless for a moment. We got her back in and a couple of pushes later babe was born.

i dont think you would get told off, don't worry! But then if you are the sort of person that goes faint or dizzy at sight of blood, then maybe you shouldn't really be doing it?! I'm sure you wont faint, desensitise yourself by watching as many youtube vids as you can, and then the real thing will be much more awesome and you wont feel like fainting. I do remember feeling slightly woozy once, i had been crouching down with a woman and got up too quickly. I said I felt funny, my mentor told me to sit down, i said i was fine, she then firmly told me to sit down!! After a couple of secs all was ok, just a head rush thing really.
I sometimes feel funny if I am catching on an empty stomach, as when checking the placenta the smell makes me heave a bit......but only when am hungry! It smells strongly of iron.

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Site Administrator, Student Mentor Scheme Manager

STMW 2nd year - no, really!

Yea stace i sometimes wonder if i will pass out, though i have never before. I used to be a dental nurse and have seen some nasty sights so that's a bit of preperation! A student i did work experience with told me most people faint due to lack of food and their so excited and anxious they dont realise theyr'e hungry. I'm not looking forward to seeing a placenta tho as my own nearly made me sick. There like BIG bald veiny slimy brains, euurrrgh!!! lol

yeah, there is no gettin round the fact that placentas smell MING, but you do get used to it. Just breathe out through ur mouth when you're checking it lol!!!

xxxxxx

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"With my hands, i have felt the strength it takes to grow, and release new spirit......."
"All the best births are the ones where you only have time to record times on a paper towel..."- a midwife, somewhere in the middle

I must be even more weird than I thought, cos I really don't mind checking the placenta after a delivery, I don't find they smell, and I actually find them fascinating.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

You won't get told off! Our uni spent a lot of time making sure we were all prepared that we might pass out or something - especially with first theatre experiences etc - apparently of few lectures did in their day?! I've not ever seen it though. It can be quite shocking what you see - but I think the times it gets you is when your not prepared - but the very fact your worrying about getting a bit faint will I'm sure mean that your prepared so won't!

well i got my first witness the other day. ended up having to pull the emergency buzzer and baby needed resus, and afterwards i was feeling very odd so wobbled my way down the corridoor to find myself a drink. was made to sit down and drink as i was pure green! there was absolutely nothing that made me feel bad in a conscious way -maybe just the standing still, the heat and the pure emotion and adrenaline.

went back later, was intently watching 2nd degree tear being stitched up and yet again i felt all weird and my eyes started seeing black so i left the room to sit on the floor outside -couldnt even make it down the corridoor that time. a midwife found me and pretty much carried me back to the staff room. oops.

crapping myself about going next week! they probably all laughed at me afterwards -although were lovely at the time-i'll be on paperwork, tea and toast duties this time methinks!!!

brilliant experience though!!!

Oh no you poor thing, it takes time to get used to things that are so 'alien' to us! A student i was on work experience with told me to make sure you eat before hand as it can often be the reason why you come over all funny, without realising it.

Hope next week is better for you! xxx