A Birth Companion's story
Childbirth is a very powerful and intimate experience to be shared with those who we know and trust. Sadly, for some women this cannot be. These women are prisoners. The majority of whom are alone, separated from loved ones and some are foreigners. These women cannot hope, let alone dream, of what we take for granted. Many have very little ante-natal care and the chance of getting to know a midwife is virtually nil. Most of these women are on remand, awaiting trial for crimes such as fine defaulting. They are not a threat to society.
I am a member of "Birth Companions" (formerly the Holloway Doula Group) which was started in October 1996 by Sheila Kitzinger. Our aim is to offer support to any pregnant prisoner in Holloway Prison who requests it. We believe that every woman has the right to give birth in a supported environment and in a dignified way.
Our first experience involved a young American woman who already had one child. I arrived at the Whittington hospital never having met her before and feeling quite nervous. In the room were two wardens, one of whom was male, the woman and the Doula I was taking over from. The woman had been induced and was having mild contractions so we had time to talk through her previous birth experience and discuss her wishes for this birth, including breast feeding, a verbal birth plan. As the contractions were mild to begin with, we had time to get to know one another and share a few laughs. This put us both at ease. As a contraction came we fell silent and she breathed through them. As the contractions intensified, she requested me to massage her, as we had discussed. I knew where she wanted to be massaged and listened to her instructions as to when to increase the pressure. A midwife suggested rupturing her membranes, to speed things up, but as I knew that this was not wanted, I managed to delay this procedure.
We worked well together. When she decided to get onto the bed I suggested she lie on her left side, which she did. She clung to me and asked me not to leave her as the contractions became severe after her membranes were finally ruptured. There was no way I would leave her! Entonox was used as pain relief. She did not have to tell me when to hold the mask over her mouth and nose - I just watched her and knew when it was needed. During the second stage, I held her face in my hands so that we had continual eye contact and we panted together. I told her when I could see her baby's head and we both pushed for Britain! As the head was born we held each other tightly and I whispered words of encouragement into her ear as his body entered the world. She discovered the sex of her baby for herself as she had requested and we were both very happy. I shed a few tears while I held him as the placenta was delivered.
This was a very powerful and positive experience for me. I know from feedback from the prison that she is very grateful for this support, not just from me, but from the whole Doula Group who supported her during her days in the hospital prior to the birth and afterwards. The woman had been a complete stranger but together we achieved the birth she had wanted. Research shows that support during labour and childbirth is beneficial as it can shorten the process and even lessen the chance for unnecessary intervention. This experience reinforced this for me. I came away from the hospital feeling very elated and sure in the knowledge that what we, as a group, were doing was much needed. In fact, I talked of little else for days afterwards! To share a birth is, for me overwhelming. To share a birth in that environment was very difficult and challenging but extremely uplifting. It saddens me that I will not have any contact with either the mother or the baby, but to know that he was born in a caring and supported environment fills me with a warm glow. There is a long way to go before all women prisoners have this as a right.
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