I’m a bit late to the game with this. But I hadn’t had a baby when this campaign started, so didn’t really have a scooby. Now I have, I FULLY support it…
Although we might not personally remember, Midwives play a huge role in bringing us into the world, as well as our children, and their children on so forth. Supporting mothers through one of the most powerful of life experiences.
Yet, research suggests that over 1 in 3 midwives feel under appreciated and undervalued.
Caring for women and their babies is at the heart of being a midwife. A midwife is often the first person to ever touch the newborn child, they help to bring babies safely into the world and have a vital role in early development of every baby. Midwives look after pregnant women – pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks – and then postnatally for usually a few weeks or so (if all goes well) until they discharge them to the health visitor. The care and support they provide for women and their families throughout the entire pregnancy and after is invaluable.
My Pregnancy with Molly wasn’t the smoothest. I had extremely bad morning sickness where I was in hospital on 3 separate occasions until we eventually found a combination on anti-sickness drugs that worked. I had a bleed later on and then a pre-term labour scare with some SPD thrown in for good measure. Through all of this, as well as having to deal with my emotional brake downs and “I can’t do this anymore” days – my community midwife was there to support me throughout it all and I will forever be grateful for her kindness….and patience!
My labour however was pretty smooth considering, and I’ll forever be extremely grateful for that. I ended up being induced early due to low movement from Molly. From the first contraction to having her in my arms was a short 4 hours. It all happened extremely quick. Quicker than anyone could have imagined. Labour and delivery was full. No room at the inn – Ironic as it was Christmas eve! – I had to do a lot of my labouring on the ward, and then at the birthing center as I could use the gas and air there. The midwife who looked after me on the ward before going on delivery ward had the patience of a saint. Because everything was happening quickly i was totally freaking out and must have pressed my buzzer a million times… I couldn’t of done any of it without her cheering me on.
When finally moved to labour and delivery ward,the midwife ( bless her sole) that delivered Molly was actually called in. Due to the high number of women who were having their babies that night, they were short staffed. She was the perfect midwife for me to have. I got sassy at points, and she got sassy right back. it was great! I kept saying I couldn’t do it, she responded with “Charlotte, what are you saying? you’re doing it love.” I needed that tough love encouragement, and boy she was good at it! That woman – forever, eternally grateful for delivering our rainbow baby safely into this world.
The Midwife who looked after us on Christmas day, I will never forget how she made me feel. She had the calmest bedside manner. She was so kinda and supportive. I actually hemorrhaged a few hours after giving birth, and had to have a blood clot removed by a Dr removing it with his hand (when you’ve just had a baby, and things are still sore..yeah. ouch!) – the midwife stood by my side and held my hand the whole way, reassuring me that it was almost over and how well I was doing. She helped me with breast feeding, she changed my blood stained bed sheets and made me copious cups of tea. I’m so annoyed that I can’t remember her name..she was beyond amazing and made me feel so at ease about everything.
The midwives who looked after me when I got moved to the ward later That night. The ones who tried to help me settle a very grumpy baby through the night. The midwives who literally wiped away my tears at 3am and told me how much of a good job I was doing. The midwives ones who calmed my anxious self. Who made me a cup if tea at 4am. Who came and told me they were going to look after Molly for a few hours so I could sleep because they could see how much I was struggling and how much Molly just didn’t want to stop screaming. The midwives that night took it in turns to hold Molly as that was the only was she would sleep. As if they didn’t already have enough to do, they took my newborn baby girl so I could have a few hours rest.
I went into labour Christmas eve. I had my baby girl safely at 5am Christmas day. I went home Boxing day.
Think about it.
All of these midwives were not at home the night of Christmas eve,Christmas day or boxing day with their families and loved ones. They were working their asses off, like many other midwives around the world. Making sure women and their babies were looked after and safe.
They weren’t snuggled up watching Christmas movies. They were coaching a first time mum through contractions and rubbing her back, telling her she can do it when she felt like giving up.
They weren’t sneaking a sack full of presents *from Santa* into their kids room once they had fallen asleep. They were getting ready to go into theater for an emergency c-section, supporting and comforting a petrified mum…and probably a even more petrified and helpless feeling dad!
They weren’t at home Christmas morning, watching their children and loved ones open their presents. They were cleaning up the blood and afterbirth and stitching up a mothers bits after delivering a baby safely into this world.
Sometimes, they have to comfort mothers who sadly dont get to take their babies home, those who are born into heaven. They have to hold back the tears and their own emotions and be strong and remain “professional” for that grieving family.
So here’s to all the midwives, the real life superheroes of every day. Their jobs are incredibly emotionally and physically draining. They work extra-long hours, share in beautiful moments but also grief-stricken ones. Then they get up the next day and do it all over again.
To all you midwives out there – you are all appreciated, probably more than you will ever be told.
