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September 23, 2009 09:20

I just finsished assisting with my first birth in NYC since my return from the Netherlands.  I was in the usual confines of the hospital practice with monitoring, IV, epidural, etc., but my patient did beautifully.  She delivered lying on her left side, I placed the baby immediately on mom's abdomen for skin-skin contact and waited patiently for the placenta to deliver spontaneously....really nothing different than I've done for the past 23 years, but I felt totally renewed.  My work with Ilona for the past 2 weeks has really helped me to appreciate the normality of the birth process.  What a wonderful profession I have!!!  Thanks so much for the experience, I think it will last my lifetime.

Home visits

September 19, 2009 15:35

Coming a hectic place like NYC, I found it hard to believe we'd find people at home on a Saturday for a visit from the midwife.  Yet, there is was.  Families welcomed us into their homes to check on progress with breastfeeding, weigh the newborns to see how they were doing and just chat about their birth experiences.  By 3-6 days postpartum, most NY women are busy running around bringing their other children to soccer practice, ballet lessons in between doing the laundry and food shopping.
 
I would say that is a major difference between here and in NY.  Women are actually encouraged to rest and rejuvenate as opposed to just getting on with life!!!!!  Its an interesting concept, but I wonder how accepted in NY it would be.  Many women would be chomping at the bit to get a move on in NY....nothing waits there!
 
Well, time to say good and thank you.  The visit has been wonderful and very educational.  I hope to take a vew ideas back with me to share with my practice.  I hope to be able to slow down a little bit, ( I think that is good advice for all New Yorkers), but I wonder if after one week I'll be able to keep up that practice!!!  Bye for now.

I felt at home

September 18, 2009 12:56

So after we made a home  prenatal visit, Ilona took me on a tour of a hospital today.  It seemed very quiet.  I learned there were four women in labor....almost a holiday for us back in NY if that were the case!!!  The birth center there, (not really part of the hospital setting itself, although right next door), is beautiful.

No monitors, just bed, birthing stool, couch for father and family and of course bathroom with tub.  Hidden away in another room of course is an emergency area for treatment of the newborn, (just in case)!  At this birth center, I feel I could fit in very well....as I tell my client at home it is probably the best of both worlds....be in a hospital setting just in case but be treated as if you're at home as all goes "normal".

Ilona feels however that even just being in the birth center at the hospital, women know the remifentanil is close and may "cave in" because its available.  Philosophies being as they are...I'm comfortable with knowing things are available if my clients or I need them...Ilona I believe sees it as a barrier to a totally "natural"" birth.  Once again, a difference, but the bottom line is the woman gets the birth that she chooses.  No judgement is passed!

Shortly I'm off to BNR for interview.  My only concern is arriving with correct directions.  I suppose I'll be anxious about the questions once I in fact arrive there!!!!  At least its on radio, so if I look hassled, no one will know it!