Without a moments hesitation I replied, "Treat the woman and her family as if she were the only one." I believe a pregnant woman is at her most vulnerable time in their life especially if she is expecting her first baby. She has never gone this process before, her body is changing rapidly, she may be experiencing morning sickness, she may be shocked at even being pregnant, she may have fears of what the pregnancy, the birth, or a new baby may bring.
Give the woman and her partner time, answer their questions and be honest if you cannot, let them know that you will seek the advice of someone who may know the answer. Share information with them through the pregnancy and although we cannot walk their journey for them, we can be there for them and to support them.
They have given and entrusted us, the midwife a very special and sacred privilege, and that is to bring their newborn baby in to the world. In other words, treat them as you wish to be treated yourself or how you would wish a midwife to treat your daughter/daughter in law/family member/friend.
He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!
It is people! It is people! It is people!
