Journey to Private Practice Midwife
She was breathing heavily through each contraction, focussing. Thought to be birthing imminently, she was bought into Emergency. She was young, fit and having a baby…
Within 20 minutes she had three examinations by three different health professionals. Her hand was cannulated. Bright lights, people filled the room. She was exposed, vulnerable… she was just trying to have a baby. I comforted her as best I could. I heard later that she had once been a victim of assault.
Labour stalled resulting in a caesarean.
Now a Midwife, I recognise interference with the flow of birth (stress) can affect the dilation of the cervix. My own experiences (as an Obstetric-trained Registered Nurse) had included witnessing uncomplicated hospital births in New Zealand, having two births at home there, and another two in an Australian Birth Centre, Midwifery-Led. I also supported a friend to have a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Caesarean) and another to birth twins vaginally in a private hospital. So, prior to the experience described above, I was a nurse who thought that birth was a normal physiological event for most women. I was also born at home (in the U.K.), this providing grounding for my understanding that this was a valid choice.
Tocophobia describes the fear of childbirth. How did we get here? Sadly, our culture is filled with tales of distress when discussing our experiences as a collective. I knew that I had to leave the job that I loved as an Emergency R.N. to find out more about the mysteries of Midwifery. I needed to know how to empower women. Finally, I had found my purpose, and I could practice preventative health care at the core! Every family that can feel comfortable and educated about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and the early stages of parenting, is one that has more opportunity to blossom. A confident family unit then emerges, prepared for all the challenges that parenting brings with it.
So…you are pregnant! You have called your G.P… Do you know about Freebirth, Doulas, Private Practice Midwives, Public-funded Home Birth, Midwifery Group Practice Midwives (MGP’s), Shared care with your GP plus hospital visits, public hospital care and private hospital care? Have a chat to your local Midwife to see what your options are. We do SO much research for weddings! Invest in your birth experience as it will affect you for years to come…
By Helen Young, Private Practise Endorsed Midwife
Socials @homebirthwithhelen
Ph: 0407 907 793
