Most labouring women will develop a way of coping with each contraction and put that technique into practice as the pain builds intensity but this young woman appeared to be surprised by it every time and would frequently fall backwards or launch herself off the bed to be caught by her mother every time.
At one point my client seemed to be safely and quietly resting on the bed and her mum went to do something else. A pain came and the missile launch thing happened again. Fortunately I was close by. My attempt at catching her was successful if not graceful. At that moment there were two of us making an almighty effort so nobody can be quite sure who it was that "let one slip"!
Smiling. Better out than in. And I hope your client's labours were suitably rewarded soon afterwards.
ReplyDeleteThere was a gorgeous baby girl with a head of thick black hair!
DeleteThank you. I am glad to hear it - and glad to hear that you are working as a doula again.
DeleteMaybe it was her mother's reaction and dedication when she bolted that caused her to never adjust. She probably needed to be caught. Was this her first? Her mother does sound dedicated. How long were you with her?
ReplyDeleteIt was her first labour, first baby was a caesarean. I was with her for 17 hours. And yes, if she hadn't had someone so dedicated she would have needed to think of another way. A very lovely but stern midwife eventually had words about her safety concerns and things changed a little
DeleteI had three babies but only one labor as they knocked me out the first two times. The last thing I wanted to do was leap out of bed. Eventually, they tied my arms down, something I hated so much and objected to strongly. That was in 1975, a barbaric time for having a baby. I had nothing for pain because it was a breach. I am glad things are mostly better for mothers now.
DeleteI didn't know they were still knocking people out in the 70s. Things are a lot nicer now and that can only be good
DeleteI am laughing.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the baby is born and everyone is ok I call any labor successful, but I have to admit the launching thing is a new one for me.
They are both gloriously healthy! The launching thing was a bit unusual :)
DeleteOne would think that enough "fumes" are expelled during labor that the only logical explanation is "that dog stinks" or *sniff*sniff* "someone had very tasty lunch!"
ReplyDeleteWhen in doubt, blame the dog!
DeleteI admire all of you, I'd would have flat out on the floor having passed out if I'd been in that situation. I heard it's quite common to poo when you give birth.
ReplyDeleteIt is common, especially in shorter labours. It's cause for celebration because it usually means the bairn is close
DeleteHaving been through the birth of our second child at home and been in charge of administering the 'gas and air' your final sentence came as a complete surprise.
ReplyDeleteMy little joke worked on at least one person! Of gas for pain relief is unknown in the US so my audience was limited to start with.....
DeleteHome birth is a lot more common in the UK than it is here, did you feel you were doing something unusual?
Not particularly. At the time it seemed quite a normal thing to do for a second child. Our first child had been born in hospital because there were some minor complications that the local maternity home where the birth had been planned were unhappy about coping with. My niece has just had her second child at home.
DeleteI had gas in the 80s for my first - at least SOME kind of gas, to help with the pain. The second came too fast! I asked for it, thinking it would be about the right time and intensity of pain, and the nurse said I was about three pushes away from delivery so it was too late. What did I know? Having one baby didn't make me an expert!
Delete"I asked for it" meaning, of course, I asked for gas!
DeleteYou are channeling John Gray!!
ReplyDeleteEchoing EC: better out than in, no matter whose gas it was :)
I was unsure about whether I wanted to tell this story but you know, with John on sabbatical someone had to step up :)
Delete"Let one slip"? Do you mean a fart or a baby? And there was me thinking that your own family was complete Kylie.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't a baby!
DeleteHa! A little comic relief probably felt nice.
ReplyDelete