From MIDWIFERY MATTERS, Issue No.110, Autumn 2006
Teresa McLaughlin
ONE DAY in November 2004 a remarkable woman named Yo, who had heard of our progressive
consultant midwife, decided to refer herself to our Trust and our caseload practice.
She did this in order to ensure she received the right type of midwifery care
and a midwife who would support her completely in the birth choices she wanted
to make. Yo lived just outside our catchment area in south London, but since
our one-to-one practice was just developing we were glad to accommodate her.
After all Yo was one of us - a midwife - so how could I possibly refuse? As
a point of fact, women do have the right to choose which hospital they give
birth in and all women have the right to self refer.
1 called this story 'Against the Odds' simply because this woman did not exactly
have a straightforward obstetric history. In fact, it would be classed as very
high risk, but she also knew exactly what was right for her and what she needed.
When we met I intuitively knew and sensed we were going to be fine. I'm sure
I'm not the only midwife in the world who can meet a mother and see, feel and
know the outcome before birth. Whether it's a God given instinct or simply too
many years in practice, I don't know. This woman was so calm, relaxed, gentle,
and really at ease about pregnancy and birth and had no fixed or rigid rules,
other than wanting a home birth, if all was well, and wanting to develop a trusting
relationship with her midwife. That suited me just fine.
Her extensive midwifery history went something like this - gravida 4 para 2.
A 32 year old midwife, Yo was supported by her partner and two excited, great,
kids. Her first pregnancy and labour had been normal until there was shoulder
dystocia at birth. She had a 4.5kgs babe, and a third degree tear and, not surprisingly,
a short period of post natal depression, which did not require treatment.
The same year an unplanned pregnancy was terminated with the severe complication
of a perforated uterus followed by a PPH. She needed a 10 unit blood transfusion
after laparotomy.
The third pregnancy and birth was fine and dandy - it's about time, Yo!
And so here we were, expecting a third baby and deciding to have this one at
home. I met up with Yo and her family at home where all care was given. We discussed
the implications of her past pregnancies and agreed to go ahead with home birth,
satisfied with knowing that Yo would want and accept a transfer to hospital
should labour not go smoothly. But I knew this woman was going to be just fine;
I could just feel it. So, one morning in June 2005 at about 7am, just as the
London traffic was beginning to build up, a phone call came, regular contractions
and SROM, and we're off. Due to traffic it took an hour and a half to get through
to Yo's home. I went upstairs to find Yo kneeling on all fours on the bed and
feeling pressure. One hour after I arrived at the house, a second midwife was
rushing up the stairs with her student. Yo and William had their baby girl.
Intact perineum and everything perfect. Days like these remind me why being
a midwife can be just great.
Updated January 17, 2007 LW