November 2020

I met mummy and daddy number 13 in their apartment in their 25^th week. A Sri Lankan couple married for 6 years; a businessman and a saleswoman with her first pregnancy. Covid and total lockdown has given them time to be together, making their new apartment a home and preparing for baby enjoying the journey together without any outside pressure.

Mummy was very particular and wanted to get ready for birth, researching and finding all the information and trying to do everything what she should; it was really uplifting to see someone in control of her journey to motherhood so much. Pregnancy was uneventful and she was hoping for as natural birth as possible, preferably waterbirth. At the end of her pregnancy baby’s water level dropped and she consented for an induction (to get her into labour with drugs) at 38+3weeks as it was the safest option. I had to get PCR tested and spend the morning waiting for results. By 15.30 mum needed my help and despite not having the test results I was allowed to go and support her providing I wear all the PPE, which I do anyway. I was barely 30mins with her and she started to ask for an epidural getting really angry and demanding – I felt total failure of my advocating and empowering skills, but thought that she may be approaching second stage (time where the baby is nearly born). When doctor came, she confirmed my feelings and instead of epidural, she had a healthy baby girl 45 mins later.

Just incredible, first time mum, induction and labour lasted about 7 hours. She was in shock of the speed of the events and dad said that the birth was “insane” (amazing).  Baby Cienna, Sisi, was born on Remembrance Day – what a powerful date to enter the world.

They were home a few days later.  As Covid-19 uncertain situation continues and our area was in isolation, video calls and WhatsApp messages were the only means of communication and supporting her. She has a live-in helper/carer and her mum comes for support too. An interesting fact was that even though they are pure Sri Lankan, their language is English. 

Another family was born and I was present at that special moment. I feel very privileged.  

I went to see them at home just a few days before Christmas (the day after I had negative PCR test I felt safe to see them) and she told me being a mother was  the steepest learning curve she has had to endure. She is doing a great job, but the unknown was frightening for her. 

Rennie