How important is having an "experienced" MW assistant?

[alliegad]

I am planning a HB in the end of april and my MW's usual assistant is great, so I hear. It is hard to get to meet her though- she lives a distance away and while she does not ever miss births, it's hard to get her to attend a prenatal to meet the expectant mamma. This lady, her usual assistant is a full-fledged MW, who just fills in as an assistant for my midwife.

Now, I have a friend who I really admire, respect and enjoy who is interested in assisting my midwife in my birth. I would be her first time assisting. She has doula'd and been at home births of her family members, has been at maybe 10-12 births. She also teaches bradley classes. She does not have Infant recussitation (neonatal recussitation?) certification, but of course, my midwife does. She has been in some easy, uncomplicated situations and some high stress sistuations where the MW had to recussitate.

My question is... how important is it that an assistant be experienced. What is her role really? I know that her role would vary depending on what "happens" during the labor and birth, but what do you think?

[orangebird]

I would be fine with that. I think they are just there for extra hands just in case, as long as you are comfortable with your midwife's abilities I don't think it matters much how experienced her assistant is. That is my personal opinion anyway.

[Oh the Irony]

go for it. much better to have someone you are comfortable with.

my midwife's assistant was experiened, but drove me crazy. i would be focusing on a contraction and when i opened my eyes she would be staring at me and it would break my concentration.

your friend has enough experience that she would not be in the way.

[PapayaVagina]

How does your midwife feel about having your friend assist her? Is she open to that?

[2+twins]

ITA - if your mw is fine with it then it sounds like an ideal situation.

[alliegad]

Yes, my MW is fine with this doula (my friend) working as her assistant. She feels comfortable with her and her experience level is fine. I have pretty much been sold on using my friend, but just wanted to toss it on the boards to see what others thought.
Thanks

[Keeper]

I'm six months into my apprenticeship, so I'm "experienced" now, but I wasn't before. Everybody has to start somewhere, you know? At births, I do the charting, listen to heart tones, hand my midwife things, and do whatever she tells me to! It might be good for her to sit down and talk to your midwife, to learn her philosophies and get a feel for what she would expect. I was thrown right into my first birth and did just fine (I was neonatal resuscitation certified). The only time I could see it being a problem is if you're having a problem and baby is also having a problem, but the midwife could direct your friend in what to do (like give a dropperfull of angelica or shepherd's purse and massage your fundus if you bleed).

Good luck and happy birthing!

Sarah

[alliegad]

Thanks Sarah
That is helpful input..... My first birth was in a hospital, I have no idea what to expect really from the role of mw assistant, so it's good to know. I'll chat more with my mw about it all in the coming days but thank you!

[ebethmom]

My midwife's assistant delivered our dd! Our midwife was out of town on the day I went into labor. She tried to get here, but dd beat her by 10 minutes. I felt very comfortable with her assistant. While she was not as experienced as our midwife, she has a calm demeanor that helped me considerably.

If your midwife is comfortable with your friend assisting, it sounds like a great opportunity. Your friend will gain a little more experience, and you will be in the company of a trusted friend.