mears is in her element

[mears]

I am quite excited this morning and since no-one is intereseted in my prostin gel and waterbirth thread I am starting another one to share it with you .

I am poised to go in and look after a friend who is being induced today. She had prostin gel last night and I am just waiting for the call to say we can get on with things, or she needs more gel. I looked after her 2 years ago when she was induced with gel but had a lovely waterbirth. My boss was not pleased with me 'allowing' her in the pool and we have had words again about the same thing probably happening. I think I have persuaded her though that we will only use the pool if all is well.

Anyway, I am quite excited because I love looking after women and being left to my own devices. I am on a day off so I will be able to give her my sole attention instead of managing a labour ward.

If anyone is interested, I will update you on the outcome

hi mears
wots this gel all about... does it help u dilate?

Enjoy your day and hope you friend gets some pool time

message withdrawn

sorry about the other thread mears. would love to have an update.

presumably if there's no evidence showing it's safe to labour in water after prostin gel, there's no evidence showing it's unsafe either. if there is anybody's instinct i would trust on this, it would be yours! Sounds like a research project that needs doing?!

hope she enjoys the pool and that you enjoy being able to focus on her.

Prostin gel is the first step in the process of inducing labour. It softens the cervix and opens it to allow the waters to be broken. Sometimes it starts labour on it's own. Sometimes breaking the waters is enough after th egel to get labour started. If those to things together don't start labour then a drip is needed of syntocinon which is the artificial hormone that causes contractions. We will be able to use the pool if a drip is not needed. Still no call yet.

Wonderful - can't think of anything as rewarding as helping a friend bring a baby into this world.

Am due the 13th November if you fancy a trip to London XXX

Have just spoken to her on the phone. She has had tightenings since 8am and is waiting to be reviewed by the Registrar to see if she needs more gel or can go along to labour ward. It will probably be around 10am that he will go and do that.

Oh mears, how lovely, how fabulous. Please tell us all about it. What a lucky friend she is.

mears!!! you are obviously seriously called for this work if you are so excited about doing it on your day off: how amazing to be able to do something you love so much for a job. and what a shame that you can't do the hands on stuff as much as you'd like to. have you ever thought about going independent? (i expect you've answered that question millions of times...)
x

Well, had a phonecall and prostin gel has been repeated. Cervix has changed a bit and is now soft and admits a finger (was only a fingertip last night). The membranes can be felt as well so hopefully this dose will get things on the move. If contractions do not start she will be reviewed again about 4pm. I suppose I should tidy up here really.

Sophable - I would love to work like an Independent Midwife but I don't think I could afford to take the financial risk. Also I don't think I would like to work without insurance which Independent Midwives cannot afford mainly. The Independent Midwives association have put forward a proposal to the government that NHS midwives could work the way they do but the government is not convinced apparently.

The IMA is conducting an online survey of midwives and women here

I will start a new thread on this and perhaps support could be generated by mumsnetters.

Can't wait to hear the full story. Best of luck to you both

You are a true inspiration mears, four kids and a job you love - go mears! x E

Still here and still haven't done any housework. Will go and clean - that's what you do in the build up to labour isn't it?

Hope you have fun Mears and your friend has a nice quick labour. What do you think are the main advantages/disadvanatges of water births? Am trying to decide if I want one - although knowing my luck someone will be in the pool when this baby comes. And also what do you wear?

come on Mears, hope it is as wondeful as you anticipate and that no one questions your decisions!!!

The main advantages of waterbirth are that the buoyancy of the water allows you to move freely which in turn help you to cope with the contractions. The relaxing effect of being in the water also encourages the cervix to dilate more quickly. It is a more 'gentle' birth for the baby in that it exits itself and is lifted to the surface by the midwife or mum. A traditional birth the midwife pulls the baby out. In water the baby just delivers itself. There is less need for painkilling injections which can affect the baby.

Disadvantages are few except if you get in the water and decide you don't like it. It might be that you are asked to come out if there are any problems detected with the baby's heartbeat or the baby passes meconium. It may be also disappointing if you are geared up to use the pool and it is not available. We only have one pool so I am hoping that no-one else is in it when we need it.

You can wera what you like TBH. Most women I have looked after prefer nothing on. However I looked after a young girl who had her bra, pants (paper} and nighty on. Halterneck bikini tops are actually pretty good too - the bottom half tends to be submerged anyway and some women have brought in crop tops or bikini tops. I think that the pool is just fab

I had a water birth and it was the most fantastic ever! Exceeded all my expectations and then some! It was just so relaxing and warm and allowed me to bob about and float inbetween contractions. Also enabled me to give birth to a 9.2 pound baby with only a few whiffs of gas and air, and I'm one of the biggest wusses ever when it comes to pain! I would really recommend it although may not be for every one, but worth a try. I was naked as just didn't care to be honest, also room was nice and dark so you couldn't really see much without a torch anyway!

Mears you sound just like me when I am "doulaing" LOL....
Keep us posted !

Have cleaned kitchen floor, bathroom floor and hung out washing, put another load it.
No call yet - will be heading up there soon to see what is going on though.
Your nerves must be shot Pupuce

Oh, waterbirths rule. I'm so excited. Makes me wish it was me (am I mad?)

what financial risk?! you'd have mners queueing up in their droves and you'd have to turn them away!!!!

have signed up on the ima's website by the way. very good cause imo.

Right, that's me. I'm offski.
TENS machine is on and contracions are starting to pick up. She's to be reassessed at 2pm so I'll know better how things are going then.

Will update you when I get back. Hope the pool is free. Hope sh'e in labour. Hope the CTG is good.

Bye

woooooooohoooooooooo!

wahey!!! good luck!