During my prenatal visits, and at the home visit, I ask my clients who is catching baby. See, I do not have to catch baby. I don't own that as a midwife, and I love providing guidance for another agreed upon person to catch baby. I have helped Moms, Dads and Grandmas catch babies.
Once I know who is catching baby, we discuss what that will look like. I explain to them that I will be there right next to them talking them through everything if they want. I also let them know that if I see anything concerning, I will tell them and I might need to step in. I talk to them about what I do if the cord is wrapped around a neck or shoulder and that I will let tell them if I see signs of the cord being wrapped. If I do see cord wrapping, I help whomever is catching baby navigate that, or if it is a really tight cord or a complicated wrapping, I will jump in to help with navigating that.
I love being able to guide Mom or Dad in catching their own baby. I honestly think it is wonderful that the first hands to touch baby are Mom or Dad's and not mine. If there is a reason for me to help, I do so as quickly as possible and then get baby into Mom or Dad's hands right away.
We have all seen the pictures of a provider who has just caught a baby holding baby up like a trophy for everyone to see. Everytime I see a picture like that I cringe. Baby should not be put on display even for one second, your baby should be in your arms as soon as they are born with no delays.
In my practice, I fully support my clients who desire to have someone else catch the baby and I do everything in my power to let that happen. It is so satisfying to me as a midwife to enable and support that choice for clients.
Once I know who is catching baby, we discuss what that will look like. I explain to them that I will be there right next to them talking them through everything if they want. I also let them know that if I see anything concerning, I will tell them and I might need to step in. I talk to them about what I do if the cord is wrapped around a neck or shoulder and that I will let tell them if I see signs of the cord being wrapped. If I do see cord wrapping, I help whomever is catching baby navigate that, or if it is a really tight cord or a complicated wrapping, I will jump in to help with navigating that.
I love being able to guide Mom or Dad in catching their own baby. I honestly think it is wonderful that the first hands to touch baby are Mom or Dad's and not mine. If there is a reason for me to help, I do so as quickly as possible and then get baby into Mom or Dad's hands right away.
We have all seen the pictures of a provider who has just caught a baby holding baby up like a trophy for everyone to see. Everytime I see a picture like that I cringe. Baby should not be put on display even for one second, your baby should be in your arms as soon as they are born with no delays.
In my practice, I fully support my clients who desire to have someone else catch the baby and I do everything in my power to let that happen. It is so satisfying to me as a midwife to enable and support that choice for clients.
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