Pregnancy Questions answered
March 31st 2010 04:16
THE QUESTIONS YOUR'E TOO EMBARRASSED TO ASK
Hi, I'm a midwife of many years experience and I'd like to offer some "insider" information and advice. Over the years I have been asked many questions and some become more repetative than others. I have worked in a tertiary level public and private hopital in Melbourne since graduating in 1999 and have also had the "birth experience" twice personally. My work ranges over the whole spectrum of maternity (birth suite, antenatal clinic , post natal and home visits)
Would you like to hear some of the most commonly asked questions and hear them answered truthfully?
Q1. Will it hurt? Yes
Q2. Will my 'bits' ever look the same? Yes and Yes(my husband has no complaints, besides I just turn the lights off!)
Q3. Can I request an epidural straight away? Yes, but be prepared for a lecture.
Q4. Can they really ask me to remove my recently manicured fushia pink nail polish? Yes, but it is for a valid reason.
Q5. Can I breastfeed(BF) straight away after the birth? Yes, it's encouraged but check if the maternity unit you're attending provides assistance to BF in the recovery room after a ceasarian, this is often not the case!
Q6. Can I request some liposuction while I'm in theatre having a ceasarian? NO, not in public hopitals anyway!
Q7. Am I too posh too push? With that set of childbearing hips, never!
Q8. Am I expected to shave my pubic hair? No, it's a personal choice. Remember a midwife has seen more fur than Tiger Woods!
Q9. Can I request a single room? Sure, but don't expect to get it. Generally the softly, softly approach works best. ie. "the lady in the other bed is snoring relly loudly and my wife does'nt want to complain but I see she's about to break"
Q10. Can I request a female doctor/midwife ? Yes and yes there are male midwives.
Q11. Can I say no to students? Yes you can. Some hospitals are a learning centre for student midwives and doctors but your birth experience takes priority.
Q12. How long can I stay in hospital? Public hospitals are led by the Department of Human Services (Goverment) and they want you out in about 2-3 days. If you've had a ceasarian you stay longer (5 days). Private hospitals will often have longer stays, but of course you've payed for the privledge.
Remember, you are always entitled to a second opinion during your pregnancy and birth. It's never too late, even if your legs are up in stirrups! (sorry, didn't mean to scare you) The doctor could be junior or from a different hospital where they practice differently. And the midwife is there to be your advocate so ask our opinion too! You have rights in hospital, lose the "patient"mentality and assert your rights. Definitely do your homework. It may not alter the outcome and it won't even guarentee you a pain free birth but it will facilitate you in having a birth experience that is positive with few regrets.
Over the coming months, if the interest is there, I'm hoping to cover many topics. I'd be interested to hear your questions. Some future topics might be pain relief options, all about the "downstairs bits/business end", ceasarians, breast feeding, Obstetricians and understanding of the medical/midwifery terms used. Talk to you again soon!
From the Modern Midwife
Hi, I'm a midwife of many years experience and I'd like to offer some "insider" information and advice. Over the years I have been asked many questions and some become more repetative than others. I have worked in a tertiary level public and private hopital in Melbourne since graduating in 1999 and have also had the "birth experience" twice personally. My work ranges over the whole spectrum of maternity (birth suite, antenatal clinic , post natal and home visits)
Would you like to hear some of the most commonly asked questions and hear them answered truthfully?
Q1. Will it hurt? Yes
Q2. Will my 'bits' ever look the same? Yes and Yes(my husband has no complaints, besides I just turn the lights off!)
Q3. Can I request an epidural straight away? Yes, but be prepared for a lecture.
Q4. Can they really ask me to remove my recently manicured fushia pink nail polish? Yes, but it is for a valid reason.
Q5. Can I breastfeed(BF) straight away after the birth? Yes, it's encouraged but check if the maternity unit you're attending provides assistance to BF in the recovery room after a ceasarian, this is often not the case!
Q6. Can I request some liposuction while I'm in theatre having a ceasarian? NO, not in public hopitals anyway!
Q7. Am I too posh too push? With that set of childbearing hips, never!
Q8. Am I expected to shave my pubic hair? No, it's a personal choice. Remember a midwife has seen more fur than Tiger Woods!
Q9. Can I request a single room? Sure, but don't expect to get it. Generally the softly, softly approach works best. ie. "the lady in the other bed is snoring relly loudly and my wife does'nt want to complain but I see she's about to break"
Q10. Can I request a female doctor/midwife ? Yes and yes there are male midwives.
Q11. Can I say no to students? Yes you can. Some hospitals are a learning centre for student midwives and doctors but your birth experience takes priority.
Q12. How long can I stay in hospital? Public hospitals are led by the Department of Human Services (Goverment) and they want you out in about 2-3 days. If you've had a ceasarian you stay longer (5 days). Private hospitals will often have longer stays, but of course you've payed for the privledge.
Remember, you are always entitled to a second opinion during your pregnancy and birth. It's never too late, even if your legs are up in stirrups! (sorry, didn't mean to scare you) The doctor could be junior or from a different hospital where they practice differently. And the midwife is there to be your advocate so ask our opinion too! You have rights in hospital, lose the "patient"mentality and assert your rights. Definitely do your homework. It may not alter the outcome and it won't even guarentee you a pain free birth but it will facilitate you in having a birth experience that is positive with few regrets.
Over the coming months, if the interest is there, I'm hoping to cover many topics. I'd be interested to hear your questions. Some future topics might be pain relief options, all about the "downstairs bits/business end", ceasarians, breast feeding, Obstetricians and understanding of the medical/midwifery terms used. Talk to you again soon!
From the Modern Midwife
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