Just another personal testament to the fact that OP can be a 'fluid' situation in labour.... With my 3rd - I was niggling for several days prior to labour becomming established in a characteristic way by the sound of things! - and when I was confronted with the drip senario that midwife got me off my backside (I was v. tired by then) and got me walking the corridors - even the stairs! - Pausing for contractions every so often I came back to see what was for lunch - but before it had arrived (dried up sandwich anyway!) I had gone into the hard concentrating phase of things and on hands on knees! The midwife by this time could tell we were finally progressing and I also overheard her tell another - " She is not comfortable in any position - must be an OP sign" So, she encoraged me to move between contractions into various poses! - I was open to suggestion as baby was definately on the move onto my spine - and things were pretty uncomfortable. Anyway all that jumping about corkscrewed her into the right direction and she was finally born about 3 hours after I should have had that sandwich!! (Cord round the neck a couple of times probably contributed to her stubborn OP ) And she was a big one - 4.5kg - and despite cord having to be cut several pushes away from birth of the body she had 7 & 10 apgars - much to the relief of everyone in the room - husband and midwife slightly ruffled to say the least - but as I was just the one doing the work had not appreciated the apprehension in the room - probably just as well and got all those lovely 'on top of the world' hormones straight away but everyone else felt like they needed a stiff drink!!
I suppose the 'moral of the story' was to have a midwife keeping a close eye on your behaviour so she can pin point the times in your labour when you will need to be encoraged to change position or walk if you haven't already thought to do it under your own instincts. Because I kept remarking 'things just don't feel right' - rather deleriously !- I really needed some outside direction from a midwife who was watching me closely and also the reassurance that things were actually ok to give me confidence in myself. I have found the OP discussion really important as it is one of those indicators that often lead to the whole cascade oif intervention saga and there are many positve things to do before and during labour to relive the situation. I have had many a couple come to reunion and tell me their epidural / C/S / episiotomy / drip induction was done for the sole reason of an OP which seems a bit drastic since there are so many labours that present with an OP - esp. first births when stomach muscles are so tight!...... (ah those were the days!!) Ps. Jean Sutton's book has been a great eye opener for the content of my courses! Stephanie - Adelaide. ----- Original Message ----- From: "sally" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Ozmidwifery" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2002 8:46 PM Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] OPs , POPs and the need for CS. > Hi Lois, > > I think the strongest indicator for something being 'not right' is the > woman saying it. One of our strengths in working closely with women, > developing trust is that the woman trusts us to tell us 'stuff' and we > trust and believe her. > > What an amazing journey. > > I'm again in awe of the knowledge that comes through this list and the > open sharing of our different views and understanding to gain a wider > perspective of being with birthing women. > > An aboriginal elder says > > ' Varied perspectives are the key to understanding, > Understanding is the key to harmony > Harmony is the key to Joy > Joy is the key to enlightenment" > > But it all begins with being able to look from many varied perspectives. > > In peace and joy > > Sally > > -- > This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. > Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
