Good Midwives!!

[jaydensmum]

Hi everybody, well i saw the thread "bad midwives" and i thought i would start one with good midwives!
When i was in labour i believe i had the best midwives in Australia! They were so friendly, gentle and considerate of my needs. They didnt try to make me feel like i was whinging or anything bad. They were very supportive through the whole 30 hours! When i arrived i had this midwive who was very old fashioned but got the job done. She actually came on the next day and delivered my DS. They didnt look down on me for being young, which was one thing i was worried about. They were all very well organised and patient. Basically what im trying to say is that i was very lucky to have them and i cant thank them enough. Its hard work being a midwive and i'd take my hat off to them for everything that they do. I have never heard a bad complaint about them, in fact everyone who has given birth there was telling me that they are the best. I know that there would be lots more people out there that could say the same about the midwives that they had. So fess up now and tell us all your story about the midwives that you've had.

jaydensmum.

[talon]

i had two different midwives while i was in labour. the first one was there right up until i was ready to push and then her shift ended - she was pretty good (was also the lady who took my ante-natal class) but the delivery ward was full that day and she was by herself so i didn't see her that much.

the second midwife started on shift as i was pushing and she was really excellent. so supportive and involved. she got on really well with my ob and knew what needed to happen with my epidural and all the drugs being pumped into me. i was throwing up afterwards and she fixed that quick smart for me. she was really down to earth and easy to talk to.

it makes a HUGE difference when you can get support like that from the midwife. it really made what was a difficult labour and delivery a bit brighter for me. She also came and checked on us the next day and made sure we were settling in alright which meant a lot to me.

Hugs to all the midwifes out there that treat their patients with this kind of emotional and physical support. I don't think you get enough credit for the job you do sometimes and I didn't realise just how stretched the maternity wards can be with staff sometimes. Must put a lot of pressure on them also.

[jaydensmum]

Originally Posted by kriscee

I don't think you get enough credit for the job you do sometimes and I didn't realise just how stretched the maternity wards can be with staff sometimes. Must put a lot of pressure on them also.

Kriscee - Its good to see that there's other "good midwives" out there. I totally agree with you. A lot of people dont recognise that they do have a hard job and they dont get credit for it. I know that there's a few midwives who make the good ones look bad. It would be such a difficult job sometimes. They have to be supportive, caring, understanding and put up a lot from family and birthing mum's! As i said before they do need a lot more credit for what they do.

jaydensmum.

[*Sal*]

I had fantastic midwives with both my labours - didn't really know they could be otherwise as I had not heard horror stories until reading that other thread. They listened to my needs, offered support (physical and emotional) and went above and beyond the call of duty. I guess I was really lucky compared to some women. My OB is also my friend and many MWs are afraid of him - perhaps that had something to do with it as well.

I see the hospital stay after birth as a mini holiday for me to bond with my baby. That mirage will be destroyed if awful midwives provide "care"

[j&k'smum]

I found the midwives I had 9years ago weren't as kind and compassionate as the one I had two years ago. She was fantastic. Whether the time gap had anything to do with the different approach, or maybe it was the first midwives were with the hospital in the birthing centre and the second lot were with a midwives programme run through a womens centre. I didn't have to go to the hospital for my appointments, only to the centre which made it so personal from the start. The midwife who ended up with me through most of the pregnancy was absoloutly fantastic. She even came out to my house to check on me as I was overdue.
I remember being in shock when I said I need to push and she said, "Thats ok, push". The first experience was very down the line..I had to not push when I wanted to push and go against what my body so wanted to do.. I was Blessed to be given someone who let me have the most wonderful experience of giving birth..I will never forget it and I will never forget her.
I gave birth in the squatting positin, with no drugs and it was the proudest moment of my life!!! She let me be in total control with whatever I wanted to do. There was no worry of doing it wrong or anything. She let me just Be.
Now THAT would be the most amazing rewarding job!!!

[tickle]

I had 4 different excellent midwifes while I was in labor. They were all really nice and supportive. I ended up thinking the last one was the devil, but she was just doing her job and trying to help me do what I needed to do to get that baby out!! Although at that point in time I think anyone would have been the devil!!She went back to the sweet lady I knew before after he was born.

[AM]

I was very lucky, as i got to interview a few different midwives, and choose which one i liked the most, and then she was my primary caregiver throughout my entire pregnancy.
The reason i was able to have this choice, was that I decided to have a homebirth, and engage an independant midwife.
It is just lovely to be able to build a rapport with one person throughout your whole pregnancy, have a mobile number which you can call 24 hours a day if you need to, have your midwife visit you in your own home, meet all the rest of the family, and anyone else who may be present for the birth.
I feel it really puts a woman in the best possible frame of mind to have a smooth birthing, to have a known and trusted midwife there, not to have to put up with changes of staff etc.
I am having the same midwife this time around as well, and i can't wait!

[brooke]

i havent given birth yet but i get too see the same midwife every appoitment
and she will also support me through my labour!
she is fantastic and i feels so confident and at ease when i am around her!
i wrote my birth plan and gave it too her and she agreed with everything that
was in there! so thats always a good start!

i can call her any time i have a worry.... and i mean ANY TIME!
And she never makes me feel stupid for asking a question or asking about a pain
or cramp!
i know that some time when i dont want to "bother" her and i call the hospital
directly they are never as helpful or understanding and its quite upsetting!
im really looking forward to jan helping me through the most presious time in my life!

i had 2 MWs throughout my labour, the second one rocking in for the last 3 hours. when she walked in, hard labour was already established.

when she first walked in the room, i looked up from my gas tube in my kneeling position in the shower and thought "OH MY GOD. SHE LOOKS ABOUT 17 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I later learned she was actually 30, but just looked really really young!). Immediately i was worried she would be no good during the hardest part of it and was so sad to be losing the first MW who had been awesome until that point with the clear and gentle way she explained everything and all the good questions she asked.

Anyway, I was VERY wrong. This young MW was awesome. she massaged my back, pushed on my hips (did anyone have that, that is the best thing when they squeeze your hips together). She was very physical with me, which must have been draining for her as she was so tiny!!!!! But it was exactly what I needed.

During pushing she was rather directive which was good. after it was all said and done, I was so grateful to her (and the first MW) and when she came and saw me again before her shift ended, I couldn't stop thanking her!!!!

[tickle]

I found the different care styles that the different midwifes used to be really interesting (on reflection of course!!). They all had individual styles which made each one good in their own way.