Hi Lyle You can count me in too if you can get me there! The closest I have ever been to Pitcairn is Norfolk and that's a long way from you.
However, the reality is that you will probably be unassisted except for the woman's immediate family and the priority now would be to prepare them all for a natural birth (if natural birth is unfamiliar to them and you). It is important to work out the role of each family member in supporting the woman through her labour and possibly assisting you if unexpected circumstances occur. Have you got lots of resources, videos, pictures, books depicting natural birth so you can all get together and discuss options and prepare this woman's birth plan with her? Also discuss what will be focused on as pain management. The woman will do much better without drugs and needs to have a plan on how she will achieve this. Verbal analgesia from her family will help. I can send you a copy of a really good birth plan electronically that will guide you in your discussion with this woman if you would like it. Discussing aspects of the birth plan at each prenatal visit will remind you to leave no part of the pregnancy, labour/birth and aftercare untouched and will in fact become your documentation of obtaining informed consent for your management. Regards Jan Robinson __________________________________________________________________________ Jan Robinson Phone/fax: 011+ 61+ 2+ 9546 4350 Independent Midwife Practitioner e-mail: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 8 Robin Crescent www: midwiferyeducation.com.au South Hurstville NSW 2221 National Coordinator, ASIM __________________________________________________________________________ On 13/6/03 10:00 AM, "Andrea Quanchi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'd say go for it. You obviously both understand the limitations of > isolation and so long as that is the case then it is ultimately her > decision. The woman is better with you than without you. I am assuming > that you must have someone else on the island who is proficient in CPR > and I would include them in your birth preperations. Once the baby is > born there are two people to be considered and it is reassuring to know > that there is someone who can care for each in the unlikely event that > they are needed. Non birthing people seem to panic at the idea so > springing it on someone at the last minute is not a good idea but if > they get to work through the remainder of the pregnancy with you both > and see that you are making the decision on healthy ideals then they > will be more comfortable when the time comes. > What about offering an island holiday to a midwife +/- family around the > time of birth, Anyway have a great time and keep us informed about the > plans > Andrea Quanchi > On Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at 12:14 PM, Medical Officer wrote: > >> Hi everyone, >> I am at present the sole medical person and midwife on an isolated >> island where the nearest medical help is seven days away by ship. All >> mothers over the past 10 years have gone to Auckland to have their >> babies. I am at present looking after a mother with her second >> pregnancy (to a new partner) who would like to have this baby on the >> island where she resides. She had a fairly easy first delivery and >> this pregnancy has progressed well (she is 24 weeks) with no >> complications. I am reasonably happy to continue looking after her and >> delivering on island but I am wondering what other midwives etc. would >> recommend. >> Any feedback on this would be great. >> Thanks, >> Lyle > -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
