Where is the normality and physiological birth?

We are taught in uni that labour and birth is normal, do not interfere and facilitate physiological processes as best as possible... Yet over the past two weeks on the labour ward I have seen very little if anything physiological. The place is heaving with intervention and medicalisation!

So much induction of labour, pushing of pethidine and epidurals (of course some of it was completely women's choice but I do not feel that midwives encourage and support women to use their bodies and avoid the meds) and complete reliance and over use of CTG's. I experienced a number of times where the phrase "Luckily you got the epidural just in time!" because when the VE was done post epidural the cervix was 8cm or even fully dilated. It just got a bee in my bonnet because the thought was in my head~ why did the midwife not engage with the women more and realise all her labours had been super quick and she actually wasn't completely gone on an epidural because she didn't like the idea of being stuck in a bed for 8 hours after baby was born? I found that out from a couple of minutes of chatting whereas the midwife was so stuck in the paper work. If she had given the time to talk to the woman, focus on her thoughts and support her through the contractions I really feel it could have been different.

I'm not blaming individual midwives. I do not feel that midwives are personally thinking they want this birth to be full of intervention. I guess it comes down to the system of birth that is in place in hospitals and the socialisation that occurs once a midwife is in that system. Yet it still irks me! Midwife= 'with woman' and yes physically the midwife is there with the woman but I feel emotionally and psychologically there is a complete lack of connection. These expectant mothers and their partners are coming into an unknown place for a very special time in their lives and are usually quite nervous and often confused yet they are being seen as just another load of necessary paperwork and another day at work...

What can we do as student midwives to change this trend? Or even affect in in an individual way?
Personally I try my best under the difficult circumstances to connect with the women and their partners, allow them the space to relax and speak their feelings. But it is difficult...especially when as a student you already feel at the bottom of the ladder. Last week I gave a woman the choice of sitting on the bed or out on the birthing ball, she chose the ball and found it very comfortable. Only problem was she had to be on the CTG... The midwife ended up getting annoyed as the CTG wasn't staying put without someone holding it and insisted the woman get into the bed. She was so uncomfortable there and I felt ridiculed for giving her a choice and causing the trouble! Regardless I will keep trying to be 'with woman' and I really hope I am part of a normal birth sometime soon!

What's your experience? What do you do to find the normality and bring it to life?

A week (24hrs) in theatre and a scary moment

Last night I finalling started 'My Birth Journal'. Something I mean to do since first year to record by experiences, thoughts and feelings from the course and especially the births I'm present for.

I'm going to type the first entry for you to read here...

'I was quite scared of the idea of going to theatre, the people down there all seemed scary, blunt and expecting nothing less than perfection... After a few people told me their experince had been good I relaxed a bit and glad I did. It really wasn't so bad!

Yes-it was lots of caesarean births, immediate cord clamping and factory like work (one midwife actually whispered to me "Yes, it is a bit like a factory down here but it has to be done") but the staff, for the most part, were friendly and nice. I supported and spoke to parents as much as I could and used a gentle touch with the brand new babies. I did my best to provide gentle, loving care whilst following strict theatre rules and social norms.

I learnt how to 'scrub in'~ a skill I hope to not have to use often, but it will help, especially whilst training and working in this grinding system.

I had the priveledge to meet new souls arriving into the world, I spoke and whispered kind words and let my hands calm them whilst they lay on the resusitare away from mothers heart.

I had a special few moments with one baby, Joe*, a big bouncing baby with lots of hair who's mamma was from Zimbabwe. As the mum was there by herself I brought Joe to meet her for their first few moments together outside of the womb. It was beautiful. Kisses were exchanged, gentle whispers of welcome were muttered as this baby was welcomed to his family. I was so happy to be present in that moment with mamma and baby as the rest of the world and operation bustled on.

Two sets of twins were born on my second day there, that was special. Although a scary moment did happen when I followed parents and babies to the recovery room. I was asked to bottle feed one, no problem. Except after 5 minutes suddenly the dear babies hands, feet and face went bluey/ grey and she stopped breathing... The mother said "Is she ok? Has she gone blue don't you think?" The bottom of my stomach dropped, that feeling of dread. I carried her quickly across the room to the midwife, trying to reassure myself and the parents in the process. A few moments with the midwife and she came back to pink. O2 sats monitor on and off I go to feed her only for it to happen again! Sats down to 84% and ashey colour... Midwife brought her to oxygen as I sat trying to reassure parents whilst I don't know what's happening... (After a whiff of oxygen she pinked right up immediately). Paeds came, fed her no problem~ of course I was so thankful, but felt a bit stupid as well as relieved!

Overall, I feel more prepared for if a woman I'm with on the labour ward/ in labour anywhere needed to go to theatre and also I can appreciate more what going through a caesarean birth is like.'

So that's a brief summary of my theatre experience. I would love to hear yours~how did you find it? Was it as you expected? What did you take away from it?

*Name changed