As
usual we have started our session with a small chit chat between
us-couples (I know we need to get used each other and to socialise,
but I would really prefer to get on with midwife talking about
important things).
So when this bit was done we were divided into 2
groups with 2 couples in each, one group had to write everything they
know about 1 stage of labour, 2nd group had to write about 2 stage of
labour. I didn't really like that bit as the new couple who joined us
started asking all sorts of questions and it didn't really help me to
remember what the stages are about.
From
what I remember we were told that 1st stage in the
longest and they would want us to stay at home as long as possible,
but if we notice that we can't cope, have heavy "show" or
waters breaking to call triage.
2nd
stage of labour starts when a woman is fully dilated (10cm),
we were told that at this stage we will be able to push and to have a small
break, but we have to remember that not all midwives let mums-to-be
to have that break.
Next,
we spoke about pain control options available: gas &
air, bath (relieves pressure, relaxes, women feel lighter, free movement),
massage, movement, relaxation, distraction, cuddles, paracetamol,
TENS machine.
Other
pain control options:
Pethidine:
-
opiate
-
sedative
-
injection + antisickness injection
-
crosses placenta
-
affects baby's heart rate+ respiration
-
nausea
-
high
-
wears off on 2-4 hours
-
takes 24 hours for baby to get rid off it
Epidural:
-
pain relief (total block or low dose) can be done by midwife
-
injection (catheter into spine)
-
6 hours to wear off
-
catheter to wee
-
crosses placenta (baby can be sleepy)
-
more likely to have forceps and ventouse
-
lax pelvic floor
-
can't use standing up position
-
not mobile
-
headache
-
sometimes not effective
-
can make a mum very itchy after
-
can dicrease blood pressure
-
need fluids
-
continual monitoring
-
starts working in 15-20 minutes
We
were very interested to know pethidine's and epidural's drawbacks and
lots of us were questioning why on earth pethidine is still used as
none of us from what I know will ever consider using it.
As
for epidural, my husband and I have decided that we would like to have a
natural birth without epidural or pethidine, but as we don't know
what lies ahead of us we are planning to be open-minded.
Home
visit
Home
visit was exactly what I didn't expect it to be, my midwife turned up
with a student, who was looking around almost everywhere and was very
eager to go to the kitchen, which I thought was firstly weird and
secondly, rude.
Then
we had a routine check- they checked my urine (and found
keytones, meaning I had to see midwife again in couple of days),
blood pressure, measured my bump and we listened to baby's heart
beat. After that my midwife was totally confused with my health
history, I had previously heart and thyroid issues but all was
cleared at least throughout my pregnancy, so my midwife for some
reason thought that I am taking medications and looked very puzzled -should she send me to do more tests or not and at this stage I had to
tell her (like I do over and over again) all my medical history and
all the history of my appointments with a consultant. I didn't know
should I laugh or should I cry (and she is the best
community midwife..NOT).
Next
part was extremely fast, I wasn't told that we are discussing my
birth plan she just quickly asked me questions about who is going to
be my birthing partner, will I OK students to come and check on me
(mentioned they will be supervised at all times), gave me a list of
what to bring, list of pain relief options, asked for how long I'm
planing to stay in hospital, what kind of birth I want, gave me the
list with massage techniques, leaflet about Vitamin K, leaflet
about labour and off they went.
I
was so naive to think that she will spend all this time discussing
properly all my options and talking through birth plan. But she
doens't know yet that only made it worse for herself as now I have a
huge list of questions for my next appointment.
