Support through labour?

[mummato3]

Hi everyone, and congratulations to all of you who will have little bubbas with them very soon

I was just wanting to put out my 'feelers' to see how much interest there is for student midwives to support pregnant women through their pregnancy and labour and birth?

Many women I have spoken to, were not aware that this sort of support exsisted, and was just wondering what the general consensus is on the idea.

Cheers,

Meredith

[Jas]

Hi Meredith,

Personally I wouldn't be interested in this kind of support, but that's only because I feel really strongly that I only want my DH there with me as support and also feel like having other support would take away from his experience.

But I think that any woman who was interested in a doula would also be interested in the support of a student midwife (and that's a lot of women). So I think there would be quite a lot of interest.

I am guessing you are a student midwife and interested in providing this kind of support, so Good luck with everything and I hope you can get some more helpful comments from women who are interested in extra support.

[~*Niadalla*~]

I would probably, but only if it was my second+ birth. This is only because I myself have NO idea what I'm about to experience, and at this point in time, I'd feel much more comfy with someone who had atteded a few before.
If the student had been to quite a few, then I'd probably give it a whirl.

[Kirst11]

I have a student midwife with me supporting me during this pregnancy. It's wonderful!!!!
It's so nice to be able to bounce ideas off her that may sometimes put stress on DH and my relationship. She is like a buffer.
I am really looking forward to the birth, as I know that she will be there every step of the way (if she can), so it takes a lot of pressure off DH.

I highly reccommend this type of program to any pregnant women out there.

[Visitor7]

When I was in labour with Nina, I had a student midwife & student paeditrician there with me throughout my entire labour assisting the midwife. I found it a wonderful experience. I also had DH and my mum with me. Not only did I have plenty of support from my family and the medical team, but they learnt a great deal in the process. It was the first labour both of them had seen from start to finish.
I am currently researching more info about doulas, and whether I may have one for my next pregnancy and labour.

[ajw0108]

We have a student midwife with us, but she's in 1st year so I think is still caught up in the theory side of things at uni and won't be too 'hands on'. She comes to all our appointments & will be at the birth if possible.

It was really sweet when she said 'Oh! That was the first baby's heartbeat I've ever heard'

I kinda feel all special knowing that our experience is helping her education and will hopefully have the kind of impact on her that makes her a brilliant midwife later on.

[Lulu]

Hey Jas, you might find a extra birth support can help DH's experience. It can be hard on them if they are on their own and don't know what to expect. My DH was utterly hopeless with no 1, but with a student doula and no2 - she supported him to support me. It was magic for all of us.

[noobie]

I have a student midwife too, a second year student who is also already a qualified nurse. Many students may already have health sector careers and/or birthing experience and are not necessarily young and/or inexperienced - so it's really worth considering if you are looking for some extra support. Also, right up front, my student said that if for any reason I didn't feel ok about it you can change your mind and/or request a different student. I haven't had to do that - but it's good to know that you can be upfront if you don't feel comfortable for any reason.

Even though I've been low risk, my appointments have always ended up being with the doctor on duty, so it's been invaluable to have a midwifery perspective during and after the appointments - especially during your first pregnancy when you have no idea what is going on. ;-)

[alioops]

Hi,

First time round I had my DH and mum but I had a short labour drug free and thought that this time round I would offer for a student to be there so that they get the experience of a trouble free labour because so many people have epidurals or pethedine in the labour wards for their placements. My student mw is 4 weeks behind me in her second pg so it's been interesting being close to the same stage when I have appts. It's her 1st birth centre birth even though she's a second year. I'm aiming for a waterbirth again and she thinks it's wonderful to have the opportunity to see how that goes while she's still studying. If all goes well she's considering being a birth centre mw because it's a different environment completely in that there's less fear in the mum to be (usually) which leads to less intervention. So this time it will b DH, sis, n student mw.

[Julie Doula]

extra birth support can help DH's experience. It can be hard on them if they are on their own and don't know what to expect. My DH was utterly hopeless with no 1, but with a student doula and no2 - she supported him to support me.

That's great to hear, that's how it should work. Nothing can replace the pivotal role of the father and sensitive support from a birth attendant can really boost his confidence and encourage his involvement.

At a recent birth, which unfolded very quickly, both the midwife and I stepped back at the moment of birth so that the Dad could be the first to touch the baby - he passed her straight to mum - it was just wonderful. That Dad was floating for days afterwards.

The idea of doula support is to enhance the experience for mother, father and baby - and support the family's bonding.

I do understand tho that some couples prefer not to have anyone extra at their birth -some couples choose unassisted birth for this reason. It's every couple's own personal decision.