Witnessing Birth: A Labor Nurse's Perspective

Every woman who has had a child can vividly recall her birth experiences for the rest of her life. She can describe every detail, from the physical changes and the feelings, the interaction with people in the birthing room, to pushing, and, finally, gazing into her newbo
child's face for the first time. She recounts her story over and over again. Countless articles and books have also been written on birth experiences. But what about the experiences of the labor and delivery room nurse, who is a witness to birth every day as a part of her professional career? What is it like for her to be with women in labor, day after day?
As a labor room nurse for thirty-three years, I consider it a gift and a privilege to be a part of another woman's birth process, a time when the woman is most vulnerable. It is a time when her patience, stamina, strength, courage, and ability to look deep inside herself are often both tested as well as lifted to new heights. It is also a time for me to set aside all pretense, opinions, my own birth stories, and anything that is currently going on in my life, as I enter the sacred birthing space. It is not always easy to be open-minded and flexible when dealing with people from all walks of life. I have to remember that they are in the hospital only to have their babies. I and the birth team have been entrusted only to assist her through the process, and every woman must be treated with respect and dignity.
I have come to believe that every encounter that I have had with a laboring woman has been pre-arranged by an unseen force much bigger than me. I accept the challenge, as a challenge it can be, when my own patience, stamina, strength, and courage are often both tested as well as lifted to new heights! It can be physically draining, for the hours on my feet can be long-up to twelve hours most days.
In labor, every woman brings her own experiences, her set of beliefs and values, her own level of preparedness for birth, her fears, and her preconceived plan of what the birth will be like. My skills as a nurse help me to understand where she is, where she wants to go, what her strengths and weaknesses may be, and, most of all, how I can help her to experience a very beautiful and empowering birth.
Along with the usual technical skills I possess, I have my own 'bag' of helpful tools and comfort measures. I never give up on one's ability to birth. Hand
holding, a back or foot rub, a gentle laying on of the hands perhaps on her head or tummy, all all ways to reach and connect with the mother to be. I must also frequently rely on my own gifts of intuition to guide us along the birth process. It is not unusual for me to sit quietly with someone in order to connect with her on a deeper level, to whisper words of encouragement when things seem a bit tense or she is fearful. I can enter with her into the rhythm of the birth process, sensing her needs, her strengths, and her fears. Also, the language of trust is a universal, unspoken language in birth-listening and trusting in the body's ability to give birth. It is a dance, with the moves of all the participants-the woman, her partner, family, doula, nurse, and provider-intricately choreographed.
When a woman has given birth, many times it is as if I have also given birth. The joyful emotions, mixed with a sense of relief and accomplishment, often overwhelm me. Sometimes a few tears escape, even after thirty-three years of working in a delivery room! The bond of closeness that was formed for the specific purpose of this birth has reached it climax. No matter how tired, hungry or achy I am after our long hours, my heart expands. It is truly a feeling of love and peace at that moment, when the tiny infant is first seen and held by Mom. I can feel her pride at having successfully crossed over into motherhood. It's the end of one's journey and the beginning of another.
My job is done. I pick up my hat and return home to my own family. It is difficult a times not to be able to discuss the events of the day with them, I must process the day quietly within the recesses of my mind and soul. One thing always remain, I am blessed with a sense of renewal for there is a mystery to birth, as well as a spirituality. It is a miracle in the true sense of the word.