h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It has been a hectic few weeks and I'd like to congratulate myself on having coped really well with it all

6 weeks ago
I attended a lovely homebirth after previous caesarean
I couldn't see Bauhaus in concert in london as one of my clients was due to give birth any day
She gave birth at home, in water 4 days later
I had a meeting with a potential client but her husband didn't like me

5 weeks ago
My client was doing well and her baby healthy
My father ill and briefly hospitalised

4 weeks ago
Enjoying 1/2 term with my children
My father taken seriously ill and hospitalised

3 weeks ago
Dad in hospital for a week but vastly improved now
Drove 90mile round trip for meeting and I was only one to turn up!
My son's 9th birthday but he was ill
Attended a lovely home waterbirth

2 weeks ago
celebrated my son's birthday

Last week
Had to have 5 windows replaced as the old ones were rotten (costly)
My campervan was vandalised and burnt beyond repair
Son and I had tummy bug

This week
Have had only 12 hours sleep in 4 days
Attended 2 home waterbirths both sterssful both Had better than expected outcomes
Husband and daughter have tummy bug
Am expecting about 10 radical midwives later today (after my nightshift and another 4hr sleep) I have to feed them, and have a few spending the night prior to our national meeting on Saturday.
Have to visit my "new mother" daily but I'm so tired
haven't seen much of my family at all

That's 13, 15, 1, and an

Aw, how terrible that someone destoyed your camper!

Hugs to your Dad, sorry he has been ill.

That's great that you seem to be taking the ups and downs in stride.

hi meg,about the downs,and the lack of sleep...hope your dad's much better now.
I have wondered how the job was going since you opted out of our wonderful NHS,it sounds as though it's working out well for you,and for some lucky mums too!!
Hope things are improving for you.

Thank you both.
Nice of you to reply as I don't get on line much and often only have time to
I was very sad about the campervan's demise It was not only a vehicle but a reminder of many happy holidays. Still don't know if the insurance will pay out.
Dad is 100% now. In very good nick for someone approaching their 80th year
Smurfles, I didn't plan to opt out of the NHS but could not condone treatments detrimental to women and their babies.
Without ranting......(much)
The fear of litigation is what policies are designed around.
The scarce lack of resourses mean women get minimal, sometimes dangerously mismanaged care.
Hospitals are paid more for doing more and more caesareans! our Caesarean rate is about 30% of all births. The world health Organisation recommend that there are no improved outcomes for mum or baby with rates above 10-15%!!!!
Women needing extra care and support can be left wanting, despite everyones best efforts.
It is wrong that women have to pay for good care, but until government reform maternity services this is the only alternative. Please see my space to join the campaign for the "one mother, one midwife" scheme.
I had hoped to combine NHS and private work, but the hospital sacked me when I told them of my plans!!!!!
The good news is that women of little or no income can pay without cash. Most independent midwives accept bartering I will not turn a needy case down. The cost of independent care is much less than a lot of people spend on holidays, cars or home-improvements. It is all a matter of choice

The link is www.onemotheronemidwife.org.uk

I shall have a look at that meg...I'm .i had it in my head that you were leaving the NHS when you were established ,but ,as usual,i was in a hurry when reading your posting.
I am a great fan of discovery health,and have notice the rise in sections being offered to women,which seems such a shame when there is the chance of the wonder of a "normal" birth.I flatly refused to go into hospital to have my girls,,they were all born at home,although i do appreciate it is sometimes a neccessity.

Nice to hear back from you Smufles.

I planned a home birth for my first but had a very necessary caesarean section (c/s). I am very greatful for this experience which taught me to appreciate the skill of obstetricians.
I wasn't alowed a home-birth for my second because I'd had a c/s. I know now that no-one can force a woman to give birth in hospital.

Some health professionals are very good at what we call "shroud waving" which is scareing a woman with horror stories of how she and her baby might die if they don't give birth in hospital. What our clients don't realise is that a lot of problems are 'iatrogenic' (caused by health professionals) and that women's bodies give birth well when not being interferred with!

about the rant but this is one of the subjects I feel most passionately about. I have seen women abused and assaulted in the course of my work. Standing by whist this happens makes me as guilty as the perpetrators, so I had to leave the system .

I have just set up a free homebirth support group because women are more able to give birth safely and in peace on their own territory

P.S one of the homebirths I attended last week was being filmed for discovery health's homebirth diaries.

Oh meg..i watch them every day,and at the moment they're repeats,so i'll look forward to seeing new ones.It makes me feel sad when i see the amount of women who have been told that ,because of previous c/s ,they can't give birth normally,or at home.They are demeaning the capabilities of midwives to decide that things are not going right,and hospitalization is needed.My third daughter was born at home,with the other two girls in the next bedroom,and it was lovely when they came wandering in to look at her when she was a few minutes old.
It's about time more people stood up for what they believe in to you.

Thanks.
I must admit to being totally obsessed with birth programmes myself! I seem to eat, drink and sleep midwifery. I guess I've really got the bug!
I attended a lovely homebirth conference in Bristol at the weekend (a busman's holiday) It is good to know lots of midwives are supporting women's choices. I am starting up a local homebirth support group this week. We need women to know that it is a safe (maybe safer than hospital) option.
I had a vaginal birth after caesarean and know which I prefer. Unfortunately didn't get the homebirth but did plan to have one. Lovely to hear you are one of the minority who gave birth at home
Some areas of the country have over 40% homebirth rate. In Hampshire ours is about 2%. There will be a programme on bbc3 on Friday evening this week highlighting the inequalities in obtaining a homebirth.

Sorry to hear that your Dad's been ill Meg, but glad that he mended well!

So will you let us know when you're going to on TV?

Don't know if you'll see me at all. It really depends what they decide to cut. I tried to stay out of shot. To say I'm camera-shy is an understatement

I'd love to see the birth though, I'm sure your presence made all the difference.