Labour / Birth Care & Support
Labour / Birth Care & Support
- Practical tips
- Advice - reminding you of all the things you can do to feel more comfortable and in control while you are at home,
- Reassurance -helping your birth partner to help you feel loved, supported and safe.
So, when is the right time to call me?
This is personal to everyone; some people choose to have me come to their home to support and assess the labour progress; and others choose to meet at their preferred birthing location.
Some ask me to come earlier in their labour and I will come, and then if it’s not baby time I will offer support and reassurance and may then go away and let you and your birth partner implement some of the tips I have suggested.
There are others who feel safe and comfortable with their birth partner and wait until the very last minute to invite me round.
By this point in your journey with me, you will hopefully feel comfortable and safe with me and know you can trust me, and I will know and trust you. I will always come to you when you ask.
Once you are in established labour, I will stay with you until your baby is born, supporting your birth choices and respecting your birth plan. In some circumstances if your birth is particularly long or I have been awake for a long time, your second midwife or birth worker may come and take over for some of the labour and possibly the birth (even midwives need to sleep and eat).
As your midwife I can help your birth partner to keep you in your zone and can take over if they need a break (everyone needs to use the loo or might even need to grab a coffee!).
If you have decided on a birth in the hospital, I can work with you and advise you on a good time to transfer in. I will liaise with the Hospital to make the transfer as smooth as possible. Once in hospital I will continue to be your birth champion and advocate to ensure your birth wishes are understood, and that you are respected, informed and kept at the centre of your care throughout.
Part of a midwife’s skill is to offer you a translation service within the NHS system, so you are aware and fully informed of any suggestions or recommendations made; medical professionals have their own language and sometimes we forget not everyone speaks it!
If you have chosen to birth at home, I will attend to you when you are ready for me. Part of my skill will be to monitor yours and your baby’s health and well-being throughout, being as discrete and incognito as possible – think of me as your very own birth ninja, keeping you safe and well cared for with as minimal disruption to your space and flow.
Once I think it is baby time I will call for a second midwife or birth supporter for the birth, and then once baby has been born, I will stay with you for 2-3 hours following the birth.