Two weeks ago I attended my first birth as a independent midwife but I did so as a second midwife to my colleague Beth @bethanyroseindependentmidwife . What does that mean?
It means that I am there to support the first midwife in any way she needs and I am an extra pair of hands in an emergency. For this particular client, D., this is how I performed my role.
I met D., at the 36 weeks which I attended with Beth. It was a lovely regular appointment that lasted 2h and I talked about myself for a bit and offered her to ask me any questions. In that appointment I joined in when we were discussing things such as co-sleeping, the fourth trimester, vitamin k and others. I could tell D. was comfortable with me and we clicked.
On the day of the birth D. and her partner kept us updated on how things were progressing. After a few days of random surges, finally today was the day. 17 days after the due date, around the full moon and after I had put my son to bed I head over. Beth, the first midwife, had got there 1h before me.
When I arrived at the house D. was in the pool, in the zone listening to a hypnobirthing track in the background. Her partner was supporting her with infinite love and dedication. Beth was performing clinical care so after she showed me around a bit (locate her equipment, drugs, neonatal resus area) I started documenting what was happening so Beth could be free to support D.
After 20 minutes of me being there we started seeing the head appear. At that point I also became a birth photographer and torch holder. I still kept track of times for documentation. D. was being great, so controlled and in tune. When the baby was born 5 minutes later I threw the phone and pen on the sofa, put the torch in my mouth (I know…) to help me see as I removed the cord from around the neck after the baby emerged from the water in Beth’s hands. It was a two midwife job as the cord was so short!
The baby was fine so we carried on. After the birth of the placenta there was a significant gush of blood and D. felt a bit faint so we helped her out of the pool and I quickly drew a syntometrine injection which I gave with consent as the uterus wasn’t contracting well. Beth was rubbing up a contraction. Once the bleeding settled and D. was fine, Beth proceeded to check the perineum. This is where the independent midwife/client relationship is so important.
D. voiced that she didn’t want her bonding with her baby to be affected by checks so we were happy to wait. On the NHS there is a rush to get women to the postnatal ward. Beth also held a discussion about the severity of the tear and a possible transfer for suturing. Beth knew how D. had concerns about perineal healing from her previous experience. It was important for her that this bit was done well even if it meant transfer. Knowing this in advance meant Beth acted in D. best interest.
At that point I turned into a cleaner as D. had gone to the toilet to pass urine and left a trail of blood around. I can’t stand that sort of staining mess! Same as paint or food all over the house and in my son’s clothes. So there I spent the next 10 minutes with my Clinell wipes wiping the floor and putting dirty towels in the washing machine. I also helped get food and drinks to D.
When everyone was settled and Beth no longer needed me it was the end of my time there. I went home happy and proud of being back in the birth room after so long. Less than 6h after leaving home I was back. Not bad for a few hundred pounds. Can’t wait to do it again!
So there you have it. This is what a second independent midwife does at a home birth. Documenting, light control, cleaner, feeder, baby holder and an extra pair of hands when birth needs assistance!