What is it that I do that can help a mother?
Well lots of things and its different for each family I work with but to give you a general idea:
Pre natal, This is where my most important work is done. I meet with the mother a few times during the last weeks of pregnancy, talk with her a lot, meet with her husband and develop a relationship of trust between us. I am at the end of the phone at anytime day or night throughout this time. Usually I try and do something with the couple like the tour of the birth centre or on a baby goods shopping trip this gives them both a chance to get to know me in a relaxed way and often worries and issues come out in conversation when we talk about anything but the birth !
I usually talk through the birth plan with the mother as well, I had one client who insisted on laminating his wife's birth plan and having several copies around the house, he came to know that you can't plan a birth! However you can make your choices and needs clear, having it written on paper means theres no need to have to think about it while you are busy birthing your child.
Obviously every family is different and I'll do whatever the mother needs to feel comfortable and relaxed about her birth. I don't dictate anything, don't tell people what kind of birth to have, offer my opinion on their choices, I respect their beliefs and choices always.
The Big Day!! Or more usually the big few days !! I am on call from the 38th week until the birth 24/7 ready to drop everything when the mother needs me. The human body is mashallah amazing and begins preparing for labour many weeks before the labour day! It can be hard to wait for your baby to begin the labouring process the last weeks can be frustrating and tiring but it does come. When the mother calls me and asks me to come to her I go. I stay with her until she's ready for me to go. This can be a long time! During the labour I try and be a quiet presence in the back ground to give the couple space, birthing a child is a very private process. I do not make any decisions about the mother and babies care, I don't do any medical monitoring. Thats not my role, my role is to be a comforting, calm presence to reassure and generally make the whole experience more comfortable for the couple. Depending on the needs of the mother I can help her through contractions, hold her, rub her back whatever she needs me to do.
I am giving myself and my experience.
Postnatally, I stay with the mother until she's successfully breastfed her child a few times, and is happy and comfortable. Then I visit everyday for a week or so, then a few times a week or as often as the mother needs me, talk through the labour and help in anyway I can.
Breastfeeding advice, bathing baby, housework and cooking. I am there to help the mother gain the confidence she needs, to remind her to trust her instincts and to care for her. Without the baggage that a mother or aunty can bring !
There is no better feeling than my last day with a client, when I leave her as a confident mother, happy and relaxed, well fed with and positive in her self belief and abilities. Then I know I have done my job, she doesn't need me anymore.