midwife's muse

Oh blow

Yesterday was a 'heavy' day. I visited the family who were coming to terms with the test results which indicated their baby has Down's Syndrome. Their mood was more accepting, and as I result I felt more positive, partly due to their care being transferred to a more local paediatrician who had phoned them up, had a long chat and put aside an afternoon next week to explain to them what the next move would be. Also though they had started to go out and about and behave more like a family with a new baby rather than a 'problem'. I shall keep in touch, they are a lovely family, caring people, and Mum makes great cakes (only joking).

Personally it was a 'food for thought' day. Daughter had her Consultant's appointment, still breech, but Doc was very positive. Talked through ECV, arranged the appointment, Monday, and then he kindly put himself on-call for her, which ever way she decides to give birth. Then, he sent her for a detailed scan to rule out any abnormalities which could preclude an ECV. Ultrasonographer performed the scan immediately, lovely view of Poppy's face, but then the bad news, the little B is a footling breech, i.e baby is squatting there, with it's feet coming first, worst position possible for a breech, vaginal birth. Any one interested in seeing how a footling breech is born, here is an excellent photo sequence, not for those of a squeamish disposition. Daughter is pinning all her hopes on the ECV, she is refusing to look any further other than to say that she is not having a section. The independant midwife I know has replied to my E-Mail and has offered to meet with daughter to disuss her options, I shall phone her tomorrow for a chat but wait until after Monday to see if daughter wishes to have her involved in the birth. Who knows what Monday holds, the ECV may trigger labour, baby may turn, an emergency section may become inevitable, it is all in the hands of the obstetrician, literally.

6.1.07 19:29