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International Midwives Day – Will Midwives be Replaced by the Internet?

Not everyone is a happy customer

Last week the news feeds on the Internet were full of versions about the man who swotted up on YouTube before delivering his wife’s baby at home.

There’s more information about this on the <a href = “http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8028625.stm”>BBC here but we’re really hoping that NHS bosses do not see this as a viable way of dealing with the national midwifery shortage!

The man in question, Marc Stephens, a Royal Navy engineer from Cornwall also claims to have used the Internet to learn to master the Rubik’s Cube and playing the guitar. However, there was no time for more than a quick summary on midwifery as his wife’s fourth baby was arriving faster than the ambulance.

The situation started when the mother woke up with regular contractions and the local hospital confirmed that they were too busy to be able to send a midwife to their house.

From here on in Mr Stephens is given all the credit for the birth and the BBC reporter even expressed surprise that the mum, Jo Stephens was so trusting in her husband’s ability to deliver the baby. Erm, did she have a choice?

Mr Stephens does deserves great credit for remaining calm in the situation, but surely Mrs Stephens who put in 99 per cent of the effort and pain deserves a nod of recognition? Perhaps the midwife on the phone could merit a passing mention too?

Our midwives work long shifts, often don’t have enough time as they would like to spend with each mum-to-be (or just-become-mum), and work with people experiencing extreme emotions.

It is due to their skill and commitment that we will always the humorous tales of dads, police officers, farmers etc delivering babies as it remains an unusual and thus newsworthy occurrence.

Most births only get a mention in the births section of the local paper. Another birth delivered at the end of a 12 hour shift, another mum helped through the traumatic, yet rewarding process of labour.

Another mum and baby introduced to breast feeding, another mum looked after during the 10 days after the birth with home visits, encouragement and advice.

Another mum (and dad) being able to ring the maternity ward for advice both at the start of labour and during sleepless nights when the new baby just won’t stop crying.

Yes, the bad and the humorous stories will always make the news headlines, but we know just how much midwives achieve, often using restricted resources and usually with a comforting smile on your face.

Today (5th May) is International Midwives day so let’s hear for the midwives – you can only learn so much from the Internet!