Journal Entries
catch-up
Posted May 9, 2006
April was quite a good month.
The weather improved, meaning everyone seems happier. I had my first barbeque. Although the good weather meant I lost some seedlings at the allotment, as I didn't get down there to water them often enough
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I discharged my last midwifery client, and have booked two more. I even had a brief 2 weeks without a client which meant I wasn't on call for the first time in 6 months
My daughter unfortunately had another tummy bug which meant loads of washing and a visit to the hospital. One of her hamsters died and we burried it under the fruit trees at the allotment. She and her younger brother are quarreling more than usual. I put this down to her blooming hormones. She will be 13 this year. It's a horrible age, wanting to be grown-up and a child at the same time. She has started synchronised swimming lessons and after school athletics which I'm sure will soon be replaced with an interest in boys.
We're planning a week's holiday in France at the end of the month which I'm really looking forward to. I don't know if I'll get away again this year due to my clients "due-dates" clashing with school holidays. I suppose I shall just have to be fined for taking my children out of school in term time if we are ever to get away. I am of the belief that life is an education, and that good holidays can teach children much more than a classroom education anyway
My nursing job is coming to an end after 9 years. The factory is closing. It has come at the right time for me as my midwifery business is taking off. I shall miss my colleagues but not the night duty. I've done nights for 9 years and have found it harder the older I get.
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Latest reply: May 9, 2006
I've been on a rollercoaster.
Posted Mar 17, 2006
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
Discuss this Journal entry [13]
Latest reply: Mar 17, 2006
A pain in the rear
Posted Dec 20, 2005
Metaphorical or actual?
Both actually.
I usually suffer with sciatica but have been feeling it more of late. I do wonder if physical pain is sometimes linked to what our subconcious is trying to tell us. I'm not denying that disease can be inherited and wouldn't suggest that what we think could cause illness.
It's probably just the way my mind links the physical, mental and spiritual as one. Waffling here as I'm tired and in pain...
I know what I mean but don't know how to describe it fully except from personal experience.
I am currently suffering neck and sciatic rear-end pain. This makes me think about people and things who are a pain in the neck or a pain in the rear. There have been a lot recently including the NHS who told me to leave their service this year; a difficult potential client; a bored, house-bound (works at home) husband; and very needy friends and at times children.
Being in this much pain also reminds me not to try to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders as it hurts!
Have been trying to fight the pains this year by joining the gym and tai chi and keeping active but it seems the more I do the worse I feel. It's bad at the moment due to digging the allotment last week. I'll have to find a good chiropractor. My last one moved to East Anglia I'm having trouble sleeping due to the pain, which is making me grouchier than usual. I know that there are much worse pains but this is a nagging toothache pain in hips, knee, shoulders, neck and a headache.
Apologies for moaning.
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Latest reply: Dec 20, 2005
Busyness
Posted Nov 29, 2005
Lots happening as per usual.
Now have 3 midwifery clients. Was 4 but I decided not to go ahead when it became obvious that it would be difficult to work with eachother
Attended a lovely home waterbirth recently
I will soon have the pleasure of working with one of the most famous midwives in the UK It is something I've always hoped to do, but didn't imagine I'd ever have the chance.
Currently chief tea-lady to a team of builders who are demolishing my chimneys, so we can have some heat this winter. We wanted a wood-burning stove as we don't have central heating, and it's predicted to be a cold winter. The stove fitters found the chimney blocked. When it was unblocked they found it unsafe, so it was demolished. It then has to be re-built and then maybe we can have some heat.
I can't wait. Fed up of fighting with children and cats, for warmest position in frount of the gas fire.
Discuss this Journal entry [9]
Latest reply: Nov 29, 2005
Change the future care of pregnant women
Posted Oct 20, 2005
Currently the care women receive in pregnancy, birth and postnatally in the UK is provided mainly by the NHS. Unfortunately with targets to meet and a shortage of staff, care can be a bit of a lottery.
This is not a satisfactory arrangement for the woman or her care provider. Care can be inconsistant. Seeing a different health professional at each appointment and not knowing who will attend the birth concerns a great number of women.
You can make a difference to the future of maternity care if you join our campaign.
There is an alternative called Independent Midwifery where a woman chooses a midwife who cares for her throughout BUT the woman has to Pay
see www.independentmidwife.co.uk
Independent midwives are not happy that this service cannot be acessed by everyone, so are campaigning for a change in maternity provision. It does mean changing government policy - which is no mean feat!
What we'd like is for all women to be able to choose their care provider who would care for them throughout. This is similar to the system in New Zealand where women campaigned and achieved this change The system is funded by government and might even save them money as it should lead to more normal births!
Please visit www.onemotheronemidwife.org.uk to join the campaign to provide better care for women and their babies
Discuss this Journal entry [3]
Latest reply: Oct 20, 2005
Meg
Researcher U224011
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