midwife's muse

I'm having a great week, so far. I've got time off. The shopping was done during daylight hours when we needed food. That has its pro's and con's. The pro's were that I could just sit there, or go out somewhere in the evening. I didn't have to unload the car in the dark, always dangerous as I might not notice that bag of oranges until they start to announce their presence through stinking out the car. I can park so easily, even in the Mother and Baby bays. There are more checkouts open. Thats where the con's start though. During the day it's really busy. Their are children riding aroung the aisles in killer cars. Whats with that? Who would want to try and negotiate round a crowded supermarket with a toddler wanting to run everyone over? Perhaps if it were me and my 4 year old I would think it was brilliant, but as a middle aged customer who has found that you bruise more easily when older, and it takes longer to stop hurting, I think it's time that joyriders invaded the store and liberated the manic, plastic buggies. Also, there are retired couples. The man always pushes the trolley, while his partner in crime debates, loudly, about his faults and the produce on offer. Incidentally, why have they not brought out a manouvering test for persons in charge of a trolley? On reflection, I shall continue shopping at night.

I've been gardening. Good time to ponder on things. Dig out that aggression, prune those anxieties, nuture my inner self! Oh please, I've gone all new age. Truly though, I do enjoy gardening, and possibly for the above reasons, but the main reason is - if I'm out in the garden I can't be doing housework.

Wednesday was a real uplift. I had lunch with some ex-colleagues with their babies. I has delivered all their babies, 7 of them from 5 down to 6 months. Seeing all these little ones and knowing that I had cared for them before and during birth made me love my job again. Sometimes I need little episodes like this to put my world into perspective and carry me through the next moving of goalposts.

Expectant one is 30 weeks plus, and due an antenatal, and bloods. This is a problem. She has a thing about needles, specifically those entering veins (not too keen on spines either). First bloods OK. She had a nuchal scan where they were taking blood so I slipped them the bottles, grabbed her hand, and it was done. I did end with a lacerated finger from her squeezing my hand so tightly that my ring garroted its way through the flesh, but at least the deed was done. Dilemma, this is not a single person job. Asked her sister to lend a hand, negative reply, phobic about blood. Asked her partner, busy. Asked her Dad, reply not repeatable. Phoned up midwife that daughter has chosen to be at the delivery. Brave woman leapt at the request. For me it was lovely. The chance to be a Mum. Someone else giving her advise, listening to her grumbles, not many really, heartburn and a sore coccyx, and hearing what words of wisdom they would impart (luckily the same as I had been saying). Seeing someone else feeling the outline of my grandchild, listening to his/her heart. Watching someone else attempt to convince her that she should expose her arm. In the end it took two of us, but it was successful and the bruising, hers, is not too extensive, we told her not to move. We also discussed the birth. Water or dry land? Labour in water, deliver kneeling on the sofa, resting against the back. Pain relief, gas and air, pethidine if necessary. Third stage? Au naturelle, unless it goes on for longer than 20 minutes in which case the jab 'cos she wants to get on with bonding. Please, please let it happen like this. I think our chats over the next few weeks will have to incorporate a few 'what if's' otherwise there could be huge disappointment all round.

Heartburn - eat little and often. Avoid rich, spicy, or stodgy foods. Don't eat a meal within two hours of expected bedtime. When you eat sit as upright as possible, try to avoid eating off your lap/tray. Take Gaviscon.

Sore coccyx - watch your posture. Sit upright not slumped. Sit on a birthing/exercise ball.

4.3.04 23:26