Sorry for the delay in posting this blog, but I've been on a run of shifts on placement, not to mention living my non-student midwife life!

I finally managed to catch up with The Highland Midwife before my last night shift and I have to say it was another fantastic, moving and educational episode.

This weeks episode focused on a lovely couple keen to have a large family (6! I can't even imagine 1 at the moment!), a woman having her third c-section and another woman having a rainbow baby.
This week really brought the tears out again as I listened to how the women felt their midwives impacted upon their pregnancy and maternity care.

Local midwives really are important, which was highlighted by Morven (who is slowly become a bit of an idol to me) 'bumping into' Mum Karen in a car park who was complaining of constant headache and visual disturbances. A quick check of her blood pressure and she was on the list for a visit the next day, which uncovered her blood pressure was still high, causing a trip to the hospital, induction for pre-eclampsia and a baby!

Midwife Morven with Mum Karen and Rainbow baby Katy (Channel 5)

This episode also made me shed a tear. This year in labour ward I have been exposed to more obstetric emergencies and difficult situations. Listening to Mum Karen discuss her son who died due to Edwards Syndrome struck a nerve. It made me grateful for my experiences and my role as a midwife with families. Listening to the family discuss their upcoming rainbow baby was beautiful. You can really see how the relationship between midwife and mother is so important when looking at previous obstetric history. the care provided and the understanding the midwife had for the mothers worries really made the care individualised.
I really think looking at all women's influencing factors such as, social, physical, emotional health can help provide tailored care for her. Which, as shown, is appreciated.

Gone are the days when people in the village or town knew who the local midwife was.
Nowadays people tend to use the internet to diagnose themselves or think they'll be fine, but it just shows how important it is to contact the midwife if symptoms outwith the normal pregnancy symptoms occur. Even over excessive sickness can require a trip to hospital.

Talking about trips to hospital, yet again I find myself frustrated that these women have to travel 3+ hours to get to their 'local' tertiary unit. The woman who travelled to have her c-section then had a 3 hour journey home with her newborn and after surgery.

I was pleased that the show didn't hide the fact that having multiple c-sections does not come with consequences. Unfortunately the uterus and abdominal muscles are affected each time and repeat c-sections are not recommended, yet we often see indication for cesarean section as being previous c-section. This has made me want to research reasons surrounding repeat c-sections and VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).

Finally, the show showed a beautiful Midwife-Led Unit waterbirth. Seeing the beautiful labour of this woman made me appreciate what we get to witness and be a part of everyday. I was also really happy to see water being promoted as a pain relief as this was all the woman used. A lot of women wish for a pool birth and due to one thing or another this doesn't always happen, but it was lovely to see facilities at midwife led units being used, and promoting waterbirth.


Can't wait for next week, bit sad that it's only a three part series and the next one is the finale!
Again would recommend highly to anyone interested in seeing Scottish midwifery and rural midwifery.


Until next time,
Ruth

twitter: @ruth_stmw
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