Birth Stories
This mother employed me at 38 weeks on the day she was being 'bullied' into an induction for a medical condition. I was unable to be available for certain dates, and disappointingly, she went into labour on one of the dates, but Frances and I had facilitated and advocated for her not to have an induction. We were supported by the local head of midwifery, to support the woman's choice, not to have an interventionist labour. It was not exactly what she would have chosen, but she did it on her own at home. We supported her choices, and the NHS had to respect those in the end. She and her partner had had a bit of a battle before Frances and I were able to advocate for her. She chose to go into hospital after the birth for some tests as she was feeling a little unwell and chose to spend the first few days with her newborn (number 3 baby) in a local birthing centre.
I came home on Thursday .........Feeling much better this afternoon so wanted to say hello! I'm really looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday and want you to know that even though you couldn't be there to catch her we love you loads - you were our angel - without you I would have ended up having her alone at home or amidst panic and chaos. It wasn't what I wanted ultimately but compromise got us a birth a million times better than we would have had if you had not been our caped crusader.
I got to have our baby girl in the arms of the man I love, in our bed in our home while our boys slept peacefully. Without you none of that would have been possible and we will always hold you in our hearts for that and hope you'll stay friends for always - it's not just about the 'service' you offered, you know that.
Without you (and I won't forget Frances either and will let her know this too!) I would have had a breakdown, I wasn't far off it and though I'm always going to remember the stress in the weeks around Rox's birth forever I can now remember you two with masses of love in my heart.