Dec 1

Thoughtful Thursday! “Hmm, She Doesn’t Like That Position. Why Don’t You Try Lying On Your Other Side.”

“Hmm, she doesn’t like that position. Why don’t you try lying on your other side.” – Midwife to mother calmly and quietly when the baby’s heart rate drastically dipped during labor.

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There are 11 comments to this post.

Jessica had this to say, Dec 1, 2011 @ 3:13 pm (Quote)

That’s an awesome midwife. I’m much more likely to comply when spoken to in this manner. I hope a position change was all that was needed!

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Tee had this to say, Dec 1, 2011 @ 3:20 pm (Quote)

Wow! How refreshing to hear about someone in the medical field that is willing to try alternatives to raise baby’s heart rate instead of just slicing Momma open! Awesome!

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road2vba2c had this to say, Dec 1, 2011 @ 5:23 pm (Quote)

I was trying to figure out why someone wouldn’t like this but then realized it’s Thoughtful Thursdays.

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Tasha had this to say, Dec 1, 2011 @ 7:35 pm (Quote)

This is what happened with my last baby. I was planning a homebirth but ended up in the hospital. and the baby’s heart rate was dropping drastically with every contraction. the nurses and doctors were so calm and matter-of-fact about it all. unfortunately, changing position didn’t help and I ended up needing a c-section for his safety, but at least they were trying and not threatening me with my baby’s death!

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Tee Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 10:50 pm Tee(Quote)

Aw, I’m really sorry that you didn’t get your vbac! That sucks. I’m glad to know that you were being so well cared for, though.

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Tasha Reply:
December 2nd, 2011 at 5:05 am Tasha(Quote)

This wasn’t my comment, just saying it’s what happened with me, too. Mine was just a third vaginal birth and ended in my first c-section. But thank you for your kind words!

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Tee Reply:
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:45 am Tee(Quote)

I was wondering why the link wasn’t pink. Misunderstood, I’m sorry! That okay, though, because I would have left the exact same comment no matter what!

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Details had this to say, Dec 2, 2011 @ 5:30 am (Quote)

I love this. I also went through something similar when my 3rd baby would only tolerate one position. Everybody remained calm with me as well. The respect was awsome. I can’t describe to you how wonderful it is to be included in the decision making process and treated with respect. (At least with my first I was only told how it was going to be and was never actually bully or threatened.) This is the kind of training the bad doctors should be sent for. There are many wonderful doctors, nurses and midwives out there. I just wish there was a way to retrain all the rotten ones. But there doesn’t seem to be any quality control system on bedside manner. Wouldn’t it be great if we could take the mediocre doctors to good, and the horrible doctors to passable just by having them witness a few respectful interactions and sit through a little lecture on bedside manner and human interaction?

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Jessica had this to say, Dec 2, 2011 @ 5:53 am (Quote)

I had a similar situation as well where my baby’s heart rate dropped during pushing, and at first my midwife had me try other positions. She was calm and helped me try a few other positions. Ultimately it got too severe and we moved to the hospital where they helped deliver him with a vacuum. His cord was wrapped around his neck twice, his body once and his leg once. I’m glad we tried the other positions but I’m also glad I had a great midwife who knew when it was time to move to the hospital. (my hospital experience was almost perfect, so I feel lucky)

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Christine had this to say, Dec 8, 2011 @ 11:07 am (Quote)

Hi all, this is my submission.

I turned back on my left side, her heart rate bounced right back up, and I gave birth shortly after to a healthy, 8lb, 14oz baby.

I actually had two midwives for the price of one – my nurse was a midwife who just wasn’t licensed in my state yet. They were so wonderful and supportive. And best of all, they treated me like a person, not a hysterical baby vessel.

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