May 2008 Archives

"...Jo attended appointments at the hospital with us throughout the pregnancy and provided much support and encouragement to both myself as the partner and my partner Nelle who was going through the pregnancy. We often relied on Jo's thorough knowledge, instinct and practical support ...When the time came for Nelle to give birth she developed pre-eclampsia and it was decided for the safety of Nelle and our baby that she should have a caesarean. This was a stressful time for us as first time parents and Jo continued to reassure and strengthen us even though this was not our preferred birth outcome..."

It started with a smile. It was 6am and I had been awake for an hour. I had actually had a good nights sleep. The first contraction was like a little flame being set alight, that just warmed the bottom of my belly...

I lay there for a couple of hours contemplating what the day would bring, interrupted occasionally (every 5-10 min) with the re-ignition of, and the constantly warming flame. By 8am I really had to concentrate to blow through it, to blow the flame out.

When Michael woke up I told him it was happening, but he should probably go to work anyway, at least just for the morning. After he had gotten himself and Kian ready to go, I changed my mind and decided I would keep him at home to run errands for me. (Little did I know what a good decision that was)

"Joanne is a warm, kind and generous person that has supported me through two of my pregnancies and was present during the labour and birth of our first son Alec. Her love and support through this special time in our life and her continuing support and friendship has been invaluable. Joanne instinctively knew what I needed during this time and was a great support person to both my husband and myself. "

A systematic review of evidence by the Cochrane library, which reviewed fourteen trials involving more than 5000 women, provides the most supportive argument for the use of birth attendant care in labour (Hodnett, 2003). This review found that:

The continuous presence of a support person reduced the likelihood of medication for pain relief, operative vaginal delivery, caesarean delivery, and a 5-minute Apgar score less than 7. Continuous support was also associated with a slight reduction in the length of labour. Six trials evaluated the effects of support on mothers' views of their childbirth experiences; while the trials used different measures....in each trial the results favoured the group who had received continuous support.

Earlier research show similar findings. Following their review of this evidence Klaus, Kennell and Klaus (1993) itemised the positive effects of birth attendant care as:

·        50% reduction on caesarean rates,

·        25% shorter labour,

·        60% reduction in epidural requests,

·        40% reduction in syntocinon use,

·        30% reduction in analgesia use,

·        40% reduction in forceps delivery.

It is recognised that the women who report negative experiences during the birth event, and their babies, are at increased risk of ill health in both the short and long term (Scott, Klaus & Klaus, 1999; Odent, 1984). Despite the fact that interventions during labour are known to lead to negative feelings, the use of interventions in childbirth continues to increase dramatically (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2002; Gilliland, 2002). It has long been known that reducing fear by supporting the birthing event in as natural manner as possible reduces the need for interventions and enhances the outcomes (Kofinas, 1985; Lederman, et al., 1978: Levinson, Gershon & Shnider, 1979; Odent, 1984; Balaskas, 1992; Sauls, 2002). It therefore stands to reason that supporting the birth event in a way that reduces fear can only assist the woman in achieving a positive birth experience.

My aim is to develop a relationship with the birthing woman and her partner during pregnancy. I will help them, through information, stories and questioning to conceptualise their ideal birth and to develop their own birth plan.

Once her ideal birth has been created, we will look at ways to help this unfold in the smoothest way possible by empowering the woman with knowledge and the belief that we already have this innate power to birth

During labour I will support the birthing woman emotionally and physically, at home or in the hospital or birth centre, finding her own natural rhythms and waves. I will also help to maintain the correct birthing environment that she will need to enhance the process of labour.

My overall aim is to serve her needs in order to achieve the best possible birth experience

The professional birth attendant is the ultimate birth companion for birthing women and their partners. The birth attendant is extremely successful in providing for the best birth outcomes possible. Part of their success lies not only in women's increased feelings of satisfaction during the birth of their babies but also in the reduction in the need for pain relief and interventions. Birth attendants focus on the experience of birth for the mother, her partner and the new baby. Their aim is to enhance the birth process and they are equipped with knowledge and strategies that pave the way for the best birth experience possible. Babies' fathers love having a birth attendant to work with throughout the labour because they remove the stress factor and enhance their support techniques. Plus, the birth attendant has met the couple during the pregnancy and knows exactly what they want for the birth.