Sydney Tapuhi

I pull a travel bag around with me, which I have stocked with certain things pertaining to my Tapuhi (birth attendant) work.  Its pink with flowers and is one of those bags that won't get left behind in the event an emergency hospital transfer is needed (not that Ive experienced one yet, touch wood)  I have managed to add and delete things as I go, as each birth has been different in so many ways.  I usually take the time to get to know my mama's as much as possible before labour, to ensure that I can best cater to their needs when the time comes.  Often I have found that I am supporting the papa to be, while mama is labouring and on a few occasions I have had to do the same for families that are also in attendance.  We all remember our birth experience, which makes sense for me to ensure that it is a positive one.

If I am at a hospital birth, the first thing I do is locate the important things:

  • Toilets for visitors, myself and papa - at some time in the process someone will need to know
  • The ward kitchen to access water and ice - handy to refill ice/water jugs, also get to know the staff
  • Location of towels, flannels - on more than one occasion I have found I've needed them to mop up all sorts
  • Emergency button - an obvious thing, but often not left in an obvious place
  • Light switches (dimmers, air con switch, power supply) - nothing worse than trying to dim lights at the wrong time
  • Checking the lighting - might be too bright, too dim, these things can effect a labouring mama
  • Vomit containers - need I say more

At a home birth or pre birth transition:

  • Ensure that items for labour/birth are readily accessible - clothing, draping, pool, water supply, towels, heat packs, cool packs, hot water bottles, lamps, aromatherapy candle (if requested) music
  • Ice/Water, beverage, fruit, food - I encourage mama's and papa's to sustain their bodies during labour as much as possible
  • House Tidy - could be dishes, straightening things up, making the bed (using consideration when doing so, so as not to deter, interrupt or offend)
  • Hospital bag is ready - I can think of nothing worse than not having what mama needs, when away from home
  • Location of fans, heating if needed
  • Lamps if needed
  • Ensure the toilet and bathroom is tidy, clean - for accepting visitors (caution on using strong scented cleaners as this may make a mama nauseous)
  • Ensure the kettle is hot, water and ice is stocked and ready, tea, coffee, sugar etc is in supply (I usually do a discreet once over in case the whanau (family) have been too busy to shop for these things and I usually bring in some biscuits or baking
  • If other tamariki (children) are present, I will tend to them as much as possible with kai (food), clothes change, make beds so that whanau can be present and fully immersed in labouring
  • Is there enough toilet paper

Everything that I do is purely based on feeling and what needs to be done, so that mama has no worries about the domestic things.  As woman we tend to think of the most outrageous things during labour, such as visitors arriving, is the whare (house) clean and able to receive manuwhiri (visitors) did I pick up milk, are the kids alright, is my wharepaku (toilet) clean, have I got toilet paper, speaking of toilet paper is there any close IN CASE.  All the things that deter us from the real task at hand, yet we do it.

In my own bag of tricks I have:

Gloves of various sizes - for cleaning or mopping up amniotic, blood, mimi (urine) etc
Tissues
Toilet Roll
Disposable toothbrush/paste in one -  if labor is long, a freshen up will do just the trick.  I take spares in case mama wants to freshen up too
Massage oil of varying scents - nothing too strong that will put a mama off, be aware of allergies also
A kneeling foam - in case I'm needed to massage mama while on my hands and knees (yoga mat works great)
Hot water bottle
Cooling pack
Antibacterial - especially if I'm in a hospital
Antibacterial spray - hospital toilets, sinks
Bendy straws
Deodorant (roll-on)
Notebook and pencil case
Breath mints
Hand Cream
Spare Socks (in case mine get wet)
Zip lock bags (to place shoes in before I walk in the door, to place socks in if they get wet)
Spray bottle - to mist a hot mama
Clothes change
Underwear change
Towel, flannel, hand-towel
Hair ties in all sizes and strengths, bobby pins, head bands/scarves
Wet wipes
First Aid Kit (with plasters etc)
 
I'm always changing and adding different things to my roller bag and is all dependent on what I feel is needed and the overall feeling I get when I'm with a whanau (family)

Maintain integrity at all times and be in neutrality.  Our feelings and daily life can reflect in the way we are present with families, so I always take the time to karakia (pray) beforehand for my own inner strength and that of the family.