Birth & New Motherhood Is New For Everyone

by kate baggott on September 3rd, 2007

Take a look at this quote from an article in the Irish Independent:

“My waters broke and I was thinking, ‘This is great. I will have the child very quickly.’ “I went into hospital one night, and had Luke at 9pm the next evening. That seemed really long to us, though now I realise it’s normal.
“I wasn’t prepared, though, for the responsibility of a new child. My attitude was, ‘He is crying for three hours, what is wrong with him?’ “It made me aware that women need good support after birth.”

Sound familiar? Typical new mother stuff, right? Except for one detail.

The mother in this case is a medical doctor.

Here’s another experience that made a woman change her career:

“I’d gone to National Childbirth Trust antenatal classes but I went into labour early – the night of the last class. I forgot everything I’d been taught. I remember being told to cover up and have some dignity.
“I was given two Panadol and two sleeping tablets. They sent my husband home for some sleep and I was left alone rocking on a bed.
“In the morning, they said I could have an epidural but it was too late. I was ready to push. I was on my back for two-and-a-half hours. I had a drip and some stitches. It was hard.”

She’s now a childbirth educator.

And what happens when a midwife gives birth? It depends if they know what to expect from the medical system.

“I trained in England. I had Aoife in the hospital where I worked and that made it easier. I was looked after by people I knew – those I had huge confidence and trust in.
“Where I trained there was no epidural service. I was induced, and used a TENS machine for the pain. It was an easy experience. When Darragh was born two years later, it was a long labour. I got tired but I had no fear. Again, I was looked after by people I knew.
“Having Cian in Ireland nine years ago was completely different. I didn’t know the system. In England, I was looked after by a midwife all the time. You only see a doctor if you need to. In Ireland I saw an obstetrician at every visit. When I went into hospital, I didn’t know anybody.”

The full article of how birth changes birthing professionals is an enlightening read.

b5media.com