I think it's possible to have an active birth in the public system, but certainly becoming a rarity, especially I would suggest in the larger regional and metropolitan hospitals. I think for the woman and her support system, several things need to occur:
1. The woman needs to be ' in charge ' of her labour - and good r'ship with m/w
2. Excellent communication between m/w from shift to shift. How often do you see the m/w with her own agenda come into a birth suite after change of shift and intro a CTG or a VE or comment that the progress might be a bit slow.
3. Communication between medical and mid staff at an optimum level.
Saying all the above, I consider myself a 'new' midwife - finished mid in 98 but have had three babies since (just as well they give me maternity leave) but working in a small rural hospital - 200 birth/yr - and only working nights, I find I have a lot of active and brilliant births. No epidurals are available, so gas and peth is the most you can get. Big bath and showers available. No time constraints from the dr, because they will only come in if I request it. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I have only had to look after 2 synt aug IV's since I've been an RM - 95% of the ladies progress under their own steam.
Cheryl.
From: "Nola Aicken" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [ozmidwifery] Re: presentation - words of wisdom? Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 01:03:02 +1000
Thanks Jo and Melissa for your responses. Whilst your comments are invaluable, I was actually wondering about midwives perceptions on whether they think it is possible to have an active birth in a public hospital. As a clinician myself, I find that it is becoming a rarity to see a woman come into the unit in which I work and have an active birth, without some form of intervention. Indeed it is not all about the obstetrical model. The last woman I cared for in labour, during a night shift, was in the unit 10 minutes and stated, "I want an epidural. It is my right!" That's a hard call!
Nola
_________________________________________________________________
Get less junk mail with ninemsn Premium. Click here http://ninemsn.com.au/premium/landing.asp
-- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
