I had a very sweet, nervous couple a few nights ago. They were uber-prepared for childbirth, but were first time parents, so they were naturally very nervous. Dad was more nervous than mom, I think. He told me about how they prepared with childbirth preparation classes, but were still unsure about when to call/come in for a labor check.
I did a lot of education with them: what we look for on the fetal monitor to ensure fetal well-being, signs and symptoms of labor, what's normal, what's not normal, what dad can do to help mom, what mom can do to help herself, etc.
Anyway, mom was in because of contractions. After about 2 hours observation, she had no cervical change (1 cm/95%/-1), but was uncomfortable with her contractions, which were still coming every 3-5 minutes. I wasn't too comfortable in sending her home, because she just felt to me that she was going to be a keeper. I knew she would change her cervix in a few more hours, but she was adamant about wanting to go home. I understand her frustrations. She was contracting regularly, and painfully, for quite a number of hours, and was frustrated at her lack of progress and change. I encouraged her, in her early labor, and told her that I was sure they would be back later that night. I gave her suggestions of what to do for comfort at home, and also encouraged her to go with what her body is telling her.
Of course, when the doc made his (minimal) appearance, early on in the observation period of time, he was quite negative with her and her husband, regarding what to expect in labor. He came across as very pro-epidural, and pro-interventions, when she and her husband were adamant about being low key, low intervention. They expressed their frustration with me, regarding the doctor, after the doc left the room. I told them, basically, that I respect (and agree!) with their low intervention wishes, but that the doctor was just trying to encourage them to keep an open mind about their options in labor/birth. I apologized for his behavior to them, to help them feel a little better about the situation, even though I was irritated with the doc's attitude. At the same time, I could see where the doc was coming from - keep your options open! Don't shut off completely to options available! Be flexible in your game plan/birth plan.
I really had hoped that I would be there for them when they came back to L&D. I really could have helped her/them with their plans for a natural childbirth, and could have helped cushion them from the intervention-happy doctor. I hope they had a good nurse to help them on their labor and birth journey.
I did a lot of education with them: what we look for on the fetal monitor to ensure fetal well-being, signs and symptoms of labor, what's normal, what's not normal, what dad can do to help mom, what mom can do to help herself, etc.
Anyway, mom was in because of contractions. After about 2 hours observation, she had no cervical change (1 cm/95%/-1), but was uncomfortable with her contractions, which were still coming every 3-5 minutes. I wasn't too comfortable in sending her home, because she just felt to me that she was going to be a keeper. I knew she would change her cervix in a few more hours, but she was adamant about wanting to go home. I understand her frustrations. She was contracting regularly, and painfully, for quite a number of hours, and was frustrated at her lack of progress and change. I encouraged her, in her early labor, and told her that I was sure they would be back later that night. I gave her suggestions of what to do for comfort at home, and also encouraged her to go with what her body is telling her.
Of course, when the doc made his (minimal) appearance, early on in the observation period of time, he was quite negative with her and her husband, regarding what to expect in labor. He came across as very pro-epidural, and pro-interventions, when she and her husband were adamant about being low key, low intervention. They expressed their frustration with me, regarding the doctor, after the doc left the room. I told them, basically, that I respect (and agree!) with their low intervention wishes, but that the doctor was just trying to encourage them to keep an open mind about their options in labor/birth. I apologized for his behavior to them, to help them feel a little better about the situation, even though I was irritated with the doc's attitude. At the same time, I could see where the doc was coming from - keep your options open! Don't shut off completely to options available! Be flexible in your game plan/birth plan.
I really had hoped that I would be there for them when they came back to L&D. I really could have helped her/them with their plans for a natural childbirth, and could have helped cushion them from the intervention-happy doctor. I hope they had a good nurse to help them on their labor and birth journey.