Too many people

[Shannie77]

I am planning a homebirth. My bedroom (where I think I will give birth) is fairly small. Room enough for a queen+crib and a dresser. Nothing else other then maybe a couple of chairs.

I am in Ontario where midwifery is heavily regulated. 2 midwives must be present for the birth. Also I might have a student there too. I am feeling claustrophobic thinking about all those people there... plus my doula, husband and my mom and daughter might also be in and out of the room.

Has anyone else had so many "professional's" there. I am planning to talk to my primary about this next time I see her. I wonder if the secondary + student will be able to keep a low profile.

Any thoughts?

[phoebemommy]

I'm in about the same situation...

You should definitely talk to your midwife. I don't know how it works in Canada, but here my midwife understood that I want the second midwife and apprentice out of the room when I'm giving birth unless there's an emergency.

Also, my mom is going to be there to help with my 3.5 year old and the dogs. She totally understands that I don't want her in the room when I'm giving birth unless there's some pressing need for her presence. You might consider talking to your mom about this, it can totally, totally not be anything personal that she can't come if you don't want her to.

[dannic]

I think it's pretty common for the midwife to have backup with them--but like pp said, they don't nec. have to BE in the room with you. My mw has another mw that assists along with an apprentice. My mw came in and out a few times just to watch me (I suppose she was gauging how things were going), but the others didn't come in til I was pushing (so they were in for 3 pushes). It didn't bother me at all. Maybe you can just talk to your mw about it? he may be able to alleviate any concerns or you may be able to work something out like pp said.

[isras1]

We have a very small house, so I can totally relate. Being a private person, I will only have the very essential people in attendance.

I would like to share:
I worked as a doula with a free-standing birth center, whom did homebirths. At the homebirths, the two MWs attended and the student and I were extra's- if the family wanted us. So, in my mind, you should have the right to request only those two MWs and no student. A few clients did request me as their doula and I was the primary attendant during labor with the MWs taking turns on taking vitals and sitting in the background for a spell, to tune in and gauge how mom was doing- participating when necessary or if by mom's request. It really just depends on how your MWs like to practice, mine likes to have a second pair of hands during the pushing stage. Providing fresh compresses for perineal counter pressure, doing vitals between pushes (when necessary), holding a flashlight and/or mirror, helping mom stay in a favorable position, and if needed- assist quickly with any complications. Hope that helps momma.

[sweetsadie77]

The second midwife and the student can definitely keep a low profile. As a primary midwife it is helpful to have a second person in the room during pushing (to take fetal heart rates and write them down and to assess baby immediately after birth).
The second role can be done very quietly and unobtrusively, I'll usually just sit in a corner with a pen and paper, sometimes women don't notice my prescence until after their baby is born.
If the student is a senior student she could do the role of the second midwife and the actual second midwife could sit outside the room but in earshot and only come in if called. Having a student is, of course, a matter of choice.

[Geerbabe]

In BC, if there is a student she counts as the second midwife. The law requires two people trained in neo-natal ressucitation, not two fully qualified midwives.