Good parent material???
Went to work yesterday to take all day parentcraft/antenatal class. Went into our office first, there were five midwives, interesting that three of us were officially on annual leave but had come in to help out because we are short-staffed. We are such idiots, the Trust know that we will do this so don't worry about recruiting. Have yet to speak to daughter, who worked a night-shift last night, but have feeling I may not be flavour of the month, mid afternoon I sent the person she was taking over from home. I didn't do it out of the kindness of my heart but because the woman fainted. I was just chatting when I saw H appear to crouch down and then continue in a downwards direction, hitting her head on the wall, until she was slumped on the floor. When she came round I asked her if she had fainted before, she had, that morning and on several other occasions recently. She had been to her G.P who had requested tests, but not signed her off! I sent her off to A&E and filled in an accident form. Poor woman and errant G.P.
Anyway, the class. Off we went talking about early labour, the signs etc., one guy looking somewhat squeamish. Progessed to labour, he went outside. Came back in in time to see a clip we put on babies head if we are having problems monitoring, off he went again. He was alright until we showed them forceps, then talked about episiotomy, then did a personnel mock-up of a Section. After lunch he reappeared and was fine whilst we discussed looking after a new baby, did seem a little concerned when we discussed the milk not coming in until about the third day, feels they should give baby a bottle. Chatted about the pros and cons of that approach, I'm not sure if we convinced him that it's not a good idea but he stopped questioning. Then came the real goody, I was chatting about avoiding the risk of cot death, and mentioned the recommendation that baby should sleep in your room until s/he is 6 months, with that he pipes up with ' That's the worst thing you've said all day'. It was as if time was suspended, I looked at the other midwife, who was also in suspended animation and then glanced around the group, they were all staring at him. A couple of seconds and everyone resumed breathing. Now, I'm quite worried, he's obviously not going to be able to be terribly supportive during labour and birth, but I'm not certain things will improve afterwards. Only time will tell.
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(14.8.05 17:07) I know a couple who are about to have their first any day and are so unprepared its frightening. They have another week to go until the due date and are already getting disappointed that it hasn't arrived yet. They are planning to put the baby straight into its own room when they bring it home, and are planning to go to a wedding 200 miles away one week after the due date. I know all new parents are unprepared but I'm worried about how they'll cope when there new person arrives! By the way- thanks so much on the info on mobile epidurals- I feel much more informed now. Have you ever come across hypno-birthing? |
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(14.8.05 17:50) phobia to parenthood , my shrink would say =) |
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(15.8.05 12:24) Minks - Somewhere I have info about hypno-birthing, I'll look it out. Have seen the C.D's advertised on E-Bay though. My Mother (she was a midwife as well) used to use it, and thought that it worked. Nowadays we have to have recognised qualifications in 'alternative therapies' before we are allowed to use them. Found it - www.natalhypnotherapy.com or 01428 712615. M.J - He just isn't ready for what is about to come. |
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(15.8.05 16:10) I think this person has yet to buy into the whole having a baby experience. I only hope he gets real before the baby is born! |
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(15.8.05 18:09) thanks MM. Its worth a shot x |
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(17.8.05 11:06) I wouldn't have missed the births of my four for anything in the world. Although having said that there wasn't a lot of room when the twins were born as the delivery room seemed to be filled with medical students for some reason. |