So I'm slowly starting to make this transition from nurse to midwife. It's really an interesting journey. I have to admit that a few times in the past I've been that pushy, give it to me now patient who will call the office and keep calling until I get what I want. I know, I know! No need to leave a comment about how annoying and irritating that is....now having to see things from the side of the provider/midwife I'm kinda embarrassed by that behavior. So anyway I've started going through my own experiences and thinking about the questions I had as an expecting mom and trying to think of how I would have approached or answered those same questions as a midwife. I've also started asking friends and family to pose these questions to me also. I'm hoping that this will eventually help me out in practice when I'm expected to know the answer.
So having said that remember this: I'm not a midwife! I'm studying to be one but I'm not there yet. I don't claim to know all the answers and though I use the resources at my disposal to answer these questions, nothing is ever a substitute for good old fashioned face to face conversations with your doctor or midwife. In other words, don't sue me. :)
So here goes...
Someone asked me "How do women avoid going to the hospital early"? Even if you don't work in L&D we've all done it, or know someone who has. You've been having contractions all day. They could be braxton hicks but then again, it could be time. If you're a first timer, what do you do? Do you grab the bag and run out the door running every red light because the baby's coming? Do you try to patiently wait it out? Or do you call your provider? In my honest opinion there is no easy answer. Many of the physicians and midwives I've worked with over the last 10 years have a "better to be safe than sorry" policy. Which is great except when gas is $4 a gallon and not everybody lives five minutes from the nearest hospital or birth center. So my first suggestion is to educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of labor. As your body prepares to give birth its not unusual to have contractions that start and then stop (usually the minute you get to the hospital!). Chances are if you're still smiling and talking, and able to walk without dropping to your knees in pain, you're not ready to make that trip to the hospital just yet. Learn how to time your contractions--ask your physician or midwife at what point they want you to call or come to the hospital/birth center. Generally if you're having contractions every 3-5 minutes and they last 1 minute or more its time to start making your way to the hospital/birth center.
My second suggestion is this-no monitor, machine, or person other than yourself is a better source of information. Learn to trust your instincts and listen to what your body is telling you. Case in point...while in labor with my son, a random nurse came in and checked me and told me I was 7 centimeters and still had plenty of time left before I would start pushing. Going on what I was feeling, I politely told her she was wrong and that I knew it was time for me to start pushing. She gave me a look and in her own sweet way told me that she has done this for 15 years and she knew better than me. I won't go into details about what came out of my mouth but my son was born nearly 30 minutes later. Lesson learned: always trust your body!
So there's my two cents. I know there are lots of experienced L&D nurses, midwives, and mommas out there who have their own tips and advice on the subject so don't be shy. Share your ideas with this budding midwife!
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