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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be a bit disconcerted when a MW gets all misty-eyed at a baby?

89 replies

LissyGlitter · 16/10/2009 23:12

I know they must like babies to be in the job, but with both my pregnancies, the midwives have got all giggly and excited at the mention of the actual baby...It is kind of lovely that they still get excited, but it is a bit odd when they do things like tell you how the baby is lying and get all "coochy coo" about it.

OP posts:
inveteratenamechanger · 16/10/2009 23:16

I know what you mean, the mw got all excited about hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time and I was a bit .

But when dd was born I loved the fact that all the mws and in fact everyone in the hospital were so excited and said lovely things about her. Honestly, you would have thought she was the first baby they had ever seen - but all their lovely comments made it feel like a really special time.

plantsitter · 16/10/2009 23:16

YANBU. The midwives at hospital got all excited because there were 2 babies born at the same time on the ward when I had DD. You'd think they'd be used to babies being born by now!

Lizzylou · 16/10/2009 23:18

would it be better if they were all cold, businesslike and not bothered about it?
Would you prefer that your new baby was treated like a number?

Drooper · 16/10/2009 23:20

Do you think it's because parts of their job must be really stressful, so they enjoy the 'nice' baby side when they can?

I think it's lovely

Original poster
LissyGlitter · 16/10/2009 23:21

No, but honestly the midwives get more excited then many members of my family! It is quite lovely, I just wonder whether they spend their entire lives squeaking and cooing over babies-it must get draining after a while surely?

OP posts:
mindalina · 16/10/2009 23:21

Miracle of life, innit. I'd love to be a midwife, precisely cos I find babies and pregnancy so fascinatingly interesting and exciting. Agree with Lizzylou that people would quickly get narked if mw's behaved like they were bored of babies

Original poster
LissyGlitter · 16/10/2009 23:23

I wonder if they are like that on their days off-do they walk through baby clothes shops like new mums picking up all the tiny clothes and getting all tearful?

OP posts:
inveteratenamechanger · 16/10/2009 23:23

Maybe the more babies you see, the more you love them? I am certainly far more fascinated by babies and children since having DD, and am always craning to look into prams etc.

inveteratenamechanger · 16/10/2009 23:23

LOL at days off.

edam · 16/10/2009 23:24

aw, it's nice to see people who are still fascinated by their work, and haven't lost touch with the reason they went into the job in the first place. Give me a giggly excited midwife over a stale jaundiced one any day!

CarGirl · 16/10/2009 23:24

Sadly perhaps because they all get involved with not such happy outcomes they are very appreciative of all the babie born alive & well?

FatFree · 16/10/2009 23:24

Why on earth would this bother you? Would you prefer some robotic assembly line mw instead? Then you'd probably be on here boohooing that she didnt even care!

AnotherFineMess · 16/10/2009 23:26

Ahhh, I think it's lovely that people get excited about babies - it's the perfect antidote to all the horrible vile stuff we see on the news every day. It's hope isn't it?

Original poster
LissyGlitter · 16/10/2009 23:27

I had a checkup the other day with two midwives, and they were practically dancing around the room with glee at the idea that the baby will be born soon. Obviously a smile and looking generally pleased is good, but they were acting like it was the first baby they had ever heard of being born!

It doesn't bother me, just makes me a little concerned for the general wellbeing of the midwife

OP posts:
sb6699 · 16/10/2009 23:29

I think its rather heartwarming actually.

I suppose not all pregnancies have a happy-ever-after ending and m/w's are probably more aware of this than most so when they have probably learned to appreciate a healthy pregnancy more.

HerBewitcheditude · 16/10/2009 23:30

Um, yes, yabu.

On the whole, they become mw's because they love babies.

I'd hate them to have to adopt that so called detached professionalism, where they're not allowed to care about the subjects of their work.

sb6699 · 16/10/2009 23:30

And I'm another one who seems to love babies more now that I already have 3 of my own. I love having a sneaky wee peak in a pram or saying hello to a baby who is smiling at me - folk must think I'm a loon!!

JeremyVile · 16/10/2009 23:31

I imagine its just part of their job. Not that they dont feel all gooey but they appreciate that its an amazing time and feel part of their role is to help the new parents feel special. It could be all too easy to feel like a production line.
Either way I think its lovely and you're being a bit bonkers

inveteratenamechanger · 16/10/2009 23:34

It really was quite astounding how special everyone in the hospital made us feel. I had to write to them to say thank you afterwards, as it had been such an incredible experience. (And we are not talking about the Portland - this is in a hospital not renowned for its postnatal care.)

lockets · 16/10/2009 23:34

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Lizzylou · 16/10/2009 23:37

Since I've had my boys, I do notice babies more.
Seriously, I think you're being very cold and strange about this.
These women are responsible for bringing your baby and other babies into the world. What a job! Of course they are enthusiastic and, as Cargirl says they must also have some not altogether nice parts of the job also.

I really think you are odd, YABU

Seededbiatch · 16/10/2009 23:40

YABU.

She likes her job, thank goodness.

She was being nice to you because you are pregnant and it's her job to make you feel looked after.

Next time get giddy with her, don't be so miserable.

Cadelaide · 16/10/2009 23:42

I vividly remember the expression on the obstetrician's face during DS's birth.

She said "here's the nose" and she looked thrilled and awe-struck.

It was great.

lockets · 16/10/2009 23:43

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Lizzylou · 16/10/2009 23:44

I have to say as well, if I hadn't had enthusiastic MWs during my 48 hr labour with DS1, I'd probably have just cried and wailed the whole time. These women are amazing, truly.
The fact that they treat every new baby as if it is the first they've ever seen/heard? That is to be admired, not sneered at.

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