Even as a student midwife I do enjoy sitting down and watching an episode of OBEM, as do millions of other people. I love listening to all the different stories and of course seeing these beautiful babies being born. However, watching OBEM now is much more difficult than in my pre-student midwife days.
It is frustrating seeing everything we have been taught and all of the theory go out of the window in these programmes. My main bug bear (and something I repeat throughout the duration of the programme) is the number of women giving birth on beds; and the number of midwives that do not appear to suggest anything different to these women. Not only does it frustrate me on behalf of the women giving birth, but it frustrates me that this is the message being conveyed to all of the obsessed, hormonal and heavily pregnant women sat on their sofas watching.
It is something that has been proven and that is easily observed… If a midwife and a woman walk into a birthing room together, the woman will immediately gravitate towards the bed. I've seen it happen, and as a student midwife I have had the chance and the time to explain to women about the benefits of different positions.
There are times when labouring and giving birth on the bed is advisable. One of these times can be when a CTG monitor is required, another element that has a cameo on every episode of OBEM. A CTG monitor should only be used if there is a clear rationale for it, however it is an intervention that is often used unnecessarily on women. A CTG monitor does not necessarily force the woman to lay down, however most women feel more comfortable in a non-upright position, and often it is easier to maintain a clear trace this way; despite this, women should be encouraged to mobilise. Other reasons a woman may need to give birth on the bed is if she has a medical condition, if a forceps or ventouse delivery is required and with the majority of women who have had epidural pain relief.
Another aspect of the particular OBEM episode I watched this evening was the lack of encouragement the midwife appeared to offer this woman. The woman asked for an epidural - which is perfectly fine, but the midwife just said "okay."Although it is our role as midwives to facilitate women's choices, I felt like the woman should have been offered some words of encouragement and reassurance on how fantastically she was coping. My feelings are not because I wanted to the midwife to try to change her mind, but to remind her that she has faith in her, whatever her choices may be.
My biggest criticism of OBEM is how unrealistic it appears. It doesn't show the blood, or the amniotic fluid, or the delivery of the placenta. Nor does it show the women being checked and sutured. It doesn't demonstrate the business of the wards. The majority of trusts strive for 1 to 1 midwifery care, however this is not always something that can be achieved for the entire duration of a woman's labour.
I also believe that it needs to show a timescale. The way the programme is edited causes labour to look like: a walk from the car to the labour room, a few puffs of entonox, a vaginal examination and 2 minutes of pushing. For the sake of all the pregnant women watching, a time scale would give them a more realistic idea of labour. So that they understand that if they've been in labour for 12 hours and push for an hour and a half, that is not a failure, that is not slow progress, that is normal labour.
I guess that's it really, to summarise this, I don't believe that OBEM shows an accurate representation of normal labour and normal midwifery care. In practice I tell my ladies that it is a lovely programme to watch, I enjoy it, it's good television, but I advise them to take it with a pinch of salt and enter their own labours with an open mind.
N. x
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
My first delivery
I have wanted to write about my first delivery for an extremely long time, however I couldn't because I didn't happen until recently. It is part of our statutory regulations that confidentiality is maintained at all times, therefore I can't reveal any identifying details, and I wouldn't want to. Giving birth is the most personal and intimate experience a woman can go through and it should remain that way postpartum.
I was extremely excited for my placement on the freestanding birth unit, I had heard it was the most amazing place to work, and after my first week there I could understand why. The working environment was wonderful, the staff were lovely and the women were thrilled with the care they were receiving.
The one negative was that it was coming up to the end of the academic year, and lots of third years were under their required number of deliveries (which is 40, in case you didn't know). The third years are all lovely, and you can learn a significant amount from working with them and watching them practice. But I'll admit, it is a difficult thing to step away from a woman you've been caring for, in order to let a third year get their delivery. However, you have to consider the fact that when you're in their position you will want a first year to do exactly the same for you. I feel very lucky that lots of the women allowed me to remain in the room as a witness, as well as having the third year student carry out their delivery.
I was swapped for a third year (obviously with both mine and the woman's consent) several times in the placement, and although it was initially frustrating I appreciated the learning opportunity and the skills that the third years taught me. We also experienced several emergency situations together, and we supported each other, and afterwards she wrote to me commending me on my contribution to the emergencies.
Eventually though it came to a head, I needed a delivery in order to get my portfolio signed off. By this point I was almost at the end of my placement, and my last shift passed with no labouring women in sight. After liaising with my mentors and the link tutors it was decided that I would permanently be on call until a delivery happened. I was permanently on call for 3 days and 3 nights… at the same time as trying to finish an essay, revise for an exam and an OSCE. I can honestly say I've never been so tired, but these are the things you do for this crazy course.
After a few false alarms, I got the call I had been waiting for, a lady in established labour. I got dressed and sorted and as I drove to the birth centre I told myself I wouldn't leave until I had had my first hands on.
I arrived and the midwife gave me a handover, the ward was extremely busy that day and so I was going to be this lady's main carer. I recognised her name as I had seen her antenatally, I was very pleased about this as continuity of care is something I feel very passionate about, and there's nothing I love more than seeing a woman I know deliver.
So I cared for this lady and her family for 12 hours, in the early hours she delivered a healthy baby boy, my first delivery! I can honestly say I will remember every detail of it for the rest of my life. It had been quite a rough haul, but I was so emotionally invested and despite being exhausted I was desperate to see this baby. In a way I am glad it was such a difficult day, I worked hard for it and it was so worth it in the end. I will always remember the thank yous, the pictures, their faces when I told them their baby's weight and especially dad's face when I showed him how to dress the baby.
As I drove away I found it hard to believe that I was the first person to ever touch that precious new life; that the woman and her family will remember me forever and that I have to do another 39 of these to qualify!
It was one of the first moments in my life where I have truly felt proud of myself, and I was practically glowing as I rang my mum and said "guess who has finally delivered her first baby?"It is a day that will stay with me forever.
I was extremely excited for my placement on the freestanding birth unit, I had heard it was the most amazing place to work, and after my first week there I could understand why. The working environment was wonderful, the staff were lovely and the women were thrilled with the care they were receiving.
The one negative was that it was coming up to the end of the academic year, and lots of third years were under their required number of deliveries (which is 40, in case you didn't know). The third years are all lovely, and you can learn a significant amount from working with them and watching them practice. But I'll admit, it is a difficult thing to step away from a woman you've been caring for, in order to let a third year get their delivery. However, you have to consider the fact that when you're in their position you will want a first year to do exactly the same for you. I feel very lucky that lots of the women allowed me to remain in the room as a witness, as well as having the third year student carry out their delivery.
I was swapped for a third year (obviously with both mine and the woman's consent) several times in the placement, and although it was initially frustrating I appreciated the learning opportunity and the skills that the third years taught me. We also experienced several emergency situations together, and we supported each other, and afterwards she wrote to me commending me on my contribution to the emergencies.
Eventually though it came to a head, I needed a delivery in order to get my portfolio signed off. By this point I was almost at the end of my placement, and my last shift passed with no labouring women in sight. After liaising with my mentors and the link tutors it was decided that I would permanently be on call until a delivery happened. I was permanently on call for 3 days and 3 nights… at the same time as trying to finish an essay, revise for an exam and an OSCE. I can honestly say I've never been so tired, but these are the things you do for this crazy course.
After a few false alarms, I got the call I had been waiting for, a lady in established labour. I got dressed and sorted and as I drove to the birth centre I told myself I wouldn't leave until I had had my first hands on.
I arrived and the midwife gave me a handover, the ward was extremely busy that day and so I was going to be this lady's main carer. I recognised her name as I had seen her antenatally, I was very pleased about this as continuity of care is something I feel very passionate about, and there's nothing I love more than seeing a woman I know deliver.
So I cared for this lady and her family for 12 hours, in the early hours she delivered a healthy baby boy, my first delivery! I can honestly say I will remember every detail of it for the rest of my life. It had been quite a rough haul, but I was so emotionally invested and despite being exhausted I was desperate to see this baby. In a way I am glad it was such a difficult day, I worked hard for it and it was so worth it in the end. I will always remember the thank yous, the pictures, their faces when I told them their baby's weight and especially dad's face when I showed him how to dress the baby.
As I drove away I found it hard to believe that I was the first person to ever touch that precious new life; that the woman and her family will remember me forever and that I have to do another 39 of these to qualify!
It was one of the first moments in my life where I have truly felt proud of myself, and I was practically glowing as I rang my mum and said "guess who has finally delivered her first baby?"It is a day that will stay with me forever.
So you want to be a midwife?
Hi :) I'm Nancy. I'm 18 years old, and as of right now I am a few exam results away from becoming a second year student midwife.
I originally started blogging about 6 months ago, but reading the posts back today they are completely cringeworthy! So, as I move into second year I thought I would start afresh.
Midwifery is a roller coaster. Lots of people ask me what it's like being a student midwife, and that's the best answer I can give them. Don't get me wrong, midwifery is the best thing I have ever undertaken. It is rewarding and inspiring and empowering, but it is extremely hard, and not something to be taken lightly.
You have to wrestle working full time on the wards, doing night shifts and long days, working bank holidays and weekends; at the same time as studying, writing essays, revising for exams and trying to ensure your friends and family know you haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Each of these things is hard enough, let alone doing them all at once.
Midwifery is not like a normal degree. I see my best friends at university, studying their respective courses and I have to admit I often feel resentful; they have no idea what it's like for us. I feel frustrated seeing pictures of them getting ready to go out for the third time that week, while I'm 2 hours in to my third night shift in a row. It upsets me that they miss lectures without a care in the world, while me and my flatmates are dragging ourselves out of bed every single morning without fail. The impact of us missing one lecture is huge. It could be the difference between passing and failing an assignment; or knowing what to do in an emergency on the wards.
I don't want to convey that midwifery is all negatives, I just want to be extremely realistic in this blog. Doing this course is a lifestyle, it's not something you can do on a whim. You have to love it, you have to want it more than anything and you have to work hard everyday for it.
There are days when I get home from a day on placement and I ask myself why I want to become a midwife; but the next day I go to work and the day will show me the million reasons why I've fallen in love with this career. I get to be in the most privileged position, not only do I help bring life into the world but I get to be part of a woman and her family's journey. I am the person they look to, the person who supports them, who reassures them. I have been a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader, a confidante and I have become an expert tea and toast maker.
There are certain moments that every student midwife lives for. The moment where a woman sees her baby for the first time and her eyes light up; the moment where the woman and her family thank you for everything you've done and the moment where you step away after a delivery and leave the woman and her family in their little bubble of happiness. There are more but these are the ones that stick out for me right now.
At the moment I should be on a 3 week placement on the low risk unit, unfortunately I have shingles and as far as I know I don't think I'm going to be able to return to this placement any time soon. I am so disappointed, I've been looking forward to this placement for a long time. This means I will have to make up 90 hours work at some point, which is a scary prospect. But hey… I told you it was a roller coaster.
N. x
I originally started blogging about 6 months ago, but reading the posts back today they are completely cringeworthy! So, as I move into second year I thought I would start afresh.
Midwifery is a roller coaster. Lots of people ask me what it's like being a student midwife, and that's the best answer I can give them. Don't get me wrong, midwifery is the best thing I have ever undertaken. It is rewarding and inspiring and empowering, but it is extremely hard, and not something to be taken lightly.
You have to wrestle working full time on the wards, doing night shifts and long days, working bank holidays and weekends; at the same time as studying, writing essays, revising for exams and trying to ensure your friends and family know you haven't fallen off the face of the Earth. Each of these things is hard enough, let alone doing them all at once.
Midwifery is not like a normal degree. I see my best friends at university, studying their respective courses and I have to admit I often feel resentful; they have no idea what it's like for us. I feel frustrated seeing pictures of them getting ready to go out for the third time that week, while I'm 2 hours in to my third night shift in a row. It upsets me that they miss lectures without a care in the world, while me and my flatmates are dragging ourselves out of bed every single morning without fail. The impact of us missing one lecture is huge. It could be the difference between passing and failing an assignment; or knowing what to do in an emergency on the wards.
I don't want to convey that midwifery is all negatives, I just want to be extremely realistic in this blog. Doing this course is a lifestyle, it's not something you can do on a whim. You have to love it, you have to want it more than anything and you have to work hard everyday for it.
There are days when I get home from a day on placement and I ask myself why I want to become a midwife; but the next day I go to work and the day will show me the million reasons why I've fallen in love with this career. I get to be in the most privileged position, not only do I help bring life into the world but I get to be part of a woman and her family's journey. I am the person they look to, the person who supports them, who reassures them. I have been a shoulder to cry on, a cheerleader, a confidante and I have become an expert tea and toast maker.
There are certain moments that every student midwife lives for. The moment where a woman sees her baby for the first time and her eyes light up; the moment where the woman and her family thank you for everything you've done and the moment where you step away after a delivery and leave the woman and her family in their little bubble of happiness. There are more but these are the ones that stick out for me right now.
At the moment I should be on a 3 week placement on the low risk unit, unfortunately I have shingles and as far as I know I don't think I'm going to be able to return to this placement any time soon. I am so disappointed, I've been looking forward to this placement for a long time. This means I will have to make up 90 hours work at some point, which is a scary prospect. But hey… I told you it was a roller coaster.
N. x
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