midwife's muse

Yesterday saw me low, very low. Rationally I knew why, I had missed half a nights sleep, but having that information didn't help, infact it may have just weighted my mood adversely.

I had missed the sleep 'cos I was 'called in'. Oh yes, us midwives are so dedicated that we have a 'calling', the unit calls us. Why do they call us? Because they are short-staffed and busy. Why are they short-staffed? Because the NHS has decided on cut-backs. Why are they so busy? Because we have too many women at our unit. Why do we have too many women at our unit? Because they closed the other local maternity unit and Birth Centre. Why did they do that? Because of cut-backs......and on, and on. So, back to the disturbed sleep...., worked all day, came home, bed, sleep, phone call at 4am, busy on unit, please attend. Drove in, changed into scrubs, walked into a room, lady curled up on bed, partner bending over her, 'I want an epidural, now' came the muffled plea from the bed, 'Let me just put some gloves on, perhaps we'll just forget the gloves, okay, don't push for a minute, baby's head is just appearing, breathe for me 'cos the cord is just wrapped around baby and I need to unravel a bit, lovely baby's here. Dad, what make of baby is it? Yes a lovely little boy. Dad, could you just press the call button for me?' Yes, once again I appeared just in time to catch a baby, but with not enough time to either put my gloves on, or have opened the pack that has all the useful stuff in it. So, stayed on the unit until 10am when I announced I was going home. 'What about your clinic?' Someone else could do that, just let me have 2 hours sleep, and then I would do my visits, but a clinic with women who need my sympathy, no way. Anyway the baby weighed 6olbs 6ozs, and is called Charlie.

Shoulder has been very uncomfortable, I have had another tooth abscess, a sore throat for 5 weeks, and conjunctivitis, so I saw my G.P yesterday (poor man) and just let him share in my utter fed-up-ness. He rose to the challenge admirably. Within minutes a hydrocortisone laden syringe was approaching my shoulder joint and his printer was churning out prescriptions for mood altering drugs, well the penicillin will be mood-altering if it gets rid of the sore-throat. Today all is much the same, except for the mood which is much improved, it's amazing what a little TLC will do.

Tomorrow is Jack's 2nd birthday party, I'm on potty duty. God it's wonderful being Nanny, you get all the good jobs. Some lucky person is organising pass the parcel, whilst all I get do is watch for small people indicating that their bladders may be about to release their contents, and get in there quick before they ruin their best outfits. Yes, I am talking about the toddlers, not the relatives.

Off now to make a salmon flan. I remember a time when a Friday evening was more exciting than this. Loud music whilst we got ready for the night out. Few drinks in the pub, then off to Baileys. Dancing away for a few hours, fall down the stairs, jump into the pond outside, reluctant cabbie return us to lodgings.

Oh Lordy. Forgot the other main event tomorrow. Prior to my duties as potty attendant I am attending Son's cup final, the B & B Cup, Bed and Breakfast, I don't know. Apparently it is important, and my presence is expected. Fun Saturday for me then. Anyone who imagines that once their children have left home, will have their own lives back, think again.

21.4.06 19:59