Lucinda Rae - Bramble Birth

Were you good at resting after you have a baby? I know I wasn’t but then, even as a midwife, I had spend all my time planning for and thinking about the birth and no time planning for the postnatal period. This is a mistake!

The postnatal period can be tough and looking after yourself in the form of good food and rest can go out the window if you get swept along with hospital midwife visits, family and friends, and just the assumption that the goal is to get back to ‘normal’ asap. But let me reassure you that around the world this is NOT the norm,
and rest and retreat are considered essential.

So if you need permission from someone, let it be me. Go back to bed!

It usually goes something like this…

At the first signs of labour we are in contact via whatsapp. Mild surges, diarrhoea, mucus show, full moon, an urge to nest? We discuss it all! I receive a LOT of photos of underwear, mucus, contents of the toilet, stained sheets etc and this is really helpful. This goes on for however long and sometimes I might want to call you to check in or ask about something specific, or you might want to speak for reassurance. We usually discuss again what labour might look and feel like for you, and when I should be on my way over to you. This is different for everyone and depends a lot on which number baby this is and what your specific needs and expectations are.

I am often called by Dads/birth partners and I like this as it allows the woman to get on with whatever she is doing. Skip the baffling hospital switchboard. I ask about how long, strong and frequent surges are and since when. I am not prescriptive about this as every birth is unique, but if I can hear a woman moaning and groaning in the background that is usually good enough for me. Often with a first baby I don’t come out on the first phone call but reassure you all is well and advise you to call me back when xyz…

If I am expecting to be called out overnight I usually sleep on the sofa to avoid waking Jimi and Magni. I make sure my car is full of fuel and my kit is all in the car. If emergency drugs aren’t already in the clients fridge I take them along in a cool bag. I lay out my clothes and toothbrush and pack some snacks, coffee, spare socks (birth pool = wet socks). I have been known to take pjs incase of a long one…

The point of all this is that my dedication to you and your birth is significant (and I speak for all the independent midwives I work alongside here). We will also have met many times by this point and I will be a familiar and friendly face to everyone in your house. I am always excited at the prospect of attending your long awaited birth and am available to provide whatever support is needed 24 hours a day, for as many weeks as it takes for your baby to arrive.