I think the next time I'm asked to give advice to a new mom, I'm definitely going to say with a smile, "remember, they're human too."
P.S. we're sleeping longer stretches at this house this past week :)
Here are the inserts being put in the pocket
Midwives are experts.
In Canada, midwives are the only health care professionals trained exclusively for the care of childbearing women. The education standard is a four-year university degree.
One of my midwives was a labour and delivery nurse for 11 years before becoming a midwife and has now assisted in over 2000 births! Another worked as an EMT for years prior to becoming a midwife. These ladies know where it's at! (not to mention, they can put an IV in that is painfree after the initial poke. That's seriously impressive).
Midwives promote the health of women and babies.
Women who receive the extra support provided by midwives are less likely to have cesarean sections or other interventions, and are more likely to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding was already in my plans, but being GBS positive, having my water break prior to labour starting, and being in labour for over 37 hours weren't. Typical hospital procedure is once your water is broken, you have 12 hours to have your baby prior to cesarean. The fact that I had GBS made me even more "high risk" in labour, and thankfully being with midwives who are educated and have faith in women, I was able to let my body labour on it's own, and was not limited in time. Midwives RARELY induce or bring intervention into the picture unless completely necessary. Babies need lots of time to "cook," and a mothers body knows what the perfect "cooking" time for her baby is. Midwives believe that and support it. I love this about them.
Midwifery is family-centered.
Midwives work together with women and their families, building a relationship based on respect for each womans health, social and personal needs.
One of the first things I was told after I was accepted into midwifery care was that I could have whomever present at the birth that I wanted. Choosing to have a home birth meant whomever could be present for my birth, but at the Foothills Hospital, you are restricted to the father of your child, and 1 birth support person during delivery. Once in recover, only grandparents are allowed to visit. I planned to have the midwives, Shane, and my doula, so it didn't matter to me, but the fact that I had "options" made it exciting. Shane and any other family member was invited to come to my appointments with the midwives and they were happy to answer any question that arose from family. Not to mention, many small children accompany their mommies to their appointments, and they have an AWESOME play area. Yep, they are family oriented! I'm excited for the day I'm expecting, and Samuel can be excited to hear his next siblings heartbeat, and the midwives to be ok with it.
Midwifery is safe.
The safest way to give birth is with a trained and skilled attendant. Doctors and midwives are both trained to deliver babies and the research shows that both options are equally safe.
True, both are equally trained, but a midwife will be at your side 24/7 when labour kicks in, cheering your on, where as a doctor is in and out, and you aren't even guaranteed "your" doctor for delivery.
Midwives offer personalized care.
Midwives provide continuous support throughout pregnancy, birth and for six weeks after the birth. Women feel reassured that someone who knows them well will attend their birth, and will be available for support and advice after the baby arrives.
I wish I could count the number of times I was told "if you have any questions, call the pager." I did when my water broke, during my labour, and with questions during my recovery. During each of my appointments I had time to ask questions and had someone to ease to my fears. I was visited at home nearly every day at my home by one of my midwives the first week after Sam was born. These visits weren't just to take my pulse and see if Samuels biliruben levels had come down. They wanted to see mentally how I was doing, and were more than willing to give feedback about my labour. It was like having a friend with all the answers come and visit, not a doctor.
Midwives are flexible and accessible.
Midwives are trained to attend births in hospitals, in birth centres, or at home. They are on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week and often make home visits.
Yep, I called and was helped in the middle of the night, while one was out to dinner, and had one of my midwives with me straight for 17 hours. Wendy stayed with me all night, 10pm- 6:30am. They never complain, they are never too busy, they are never "put out." It takes a certain woman to be a midwife
Midwives are part of the health care team.
Midwives work together with nurses, doctors, and other health care professionals to provide women with the highest standard of care.
I wanted a natural birth, but didn't quite get that. You can read what actually happened here. Midwives have been granted hospital access and therefore are generally not bothered by doctors or nurses. When the decision was made to transfer into the hospital, Wendy phoned and said she needed a room. I was assigned a room, and was only bothered by the anesthesiologist, and once when the nurse came to start my pitocin (but I was already in la la land and didn't even see her). The midwives did send my information over to my family doctor after we were discharged from their care. If need be, midwives stand right beside the doctors and nurses if a cesarean is necessary. My favourite part about delivering with the midwives was being able to go home 2 hours after having Samuel.
Midwifery care is a choice more families are making.
Midwifery is becoming a popular choice for families in provinces where it is regulated and funded. Each year in Ontario, more than 10,000 babies are born with the help of midwives!
Many of my friends are seeing midwives for their care and the care of their babies. I very much look forward to seeing Carol, Wendy, and Luba on a regular basis again (but not too soon). Standard procedure after your baby is born is to have a mom and baby 2 week check up with the midwives at their clinic, and again a 6 week check up for baby at the clinic, at which point you are "discharged" from the midwives. Each woman I have talked to about their 6 week appointment says how much they will miss seeing their midwives. There is a true bond between a mother and her caregivers. The keyword being CARE, which they do a lot!
* Adapted from Ten Reasons Why We Need
Midwifery in Nova Scotia, Midwifery Coalition
of Nova Scotia
When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first people I told was my dear friend Jenny. She had just finished her doula course and I wanted her on my birth team. In my early pregnancy I knew I wanted a natural birth, was convinced there was no hope of getting in with midwives, and knew I was going to need some support to bring the baby I was carrying into this world.
Jenny came and did a consultation with us, asking what we did and didn't want in our birth. Some of the options I hadn't even thought of. I was so overwhelmed with just how much goes on, and she was able to calm my fears and get me excited about bringing our baby into the world.
I was a bit apprehensive about having a doula. I didn't want Shane's position to be replaced, nor did I want to feel pressured into any decision. This all became even more complex because of the friendship that was already in place. Was I ever so wrong!!!
Fast forward about 7 months and it was several hours after my water had broken. It was early in the morning and I let Jenny know what was going on. I honestly don't think I have ever received a quicker text response than in that instance. She wanted to know when we wanted her, etc. She came and gave me a hug as I was off to the hospital to get my IV started. She came and sat with me when I woke up from my nap and talked me through everything. She cheered me on, held my hand, breathed with me, reassured me, and supported Shane. She helped me to the bathroom with my awesome legs after my epidural, and sat with me for some time telling me that the pushy feeling I had was a good thing. I am grateful to have the photos of Samuel's birth that she took. I am more grateful that she was there for me to hold things together.
This is the only photo that I have with Jenny in it (she's on the right). She documented everything and was out of the way to let us enjoy our new family and the whole process. Do I have Jenny lined up for my next birth... you bet I do!