Abstract

This paper aims to show how collaborative working among professionals can push the boundaries when promoting positive birth, resulting in an unusual and satisfying birth.

It is paramount when providing care to acknowledge how birth experience, not necessarily the outcome, can impact upon individuals and their lives.

This case study is of a woman who had had a previous emergency Caesarean section and had found this extremely traumatic with loss of control and influence over the birth process. She wished to aim for a vaginal birth this time and was under the Caseload midwifery team.

She progressed well in labour mobilizing and using different positions but delivery had not been achieved after 2 h of active pushing. She was comfortable standing up and so was examined by the consultant in that position. The head was below the spines and occipitat anterior. The Kiwi cup was used to bring the head to the perineum and then released so that a normal delivery (by student midwife) could occur. This all took place with the patient leaning over the bed. By listening to the woman's fears and empowering her, a positive birth experience was achieved.

It is the aim of the authors to highlight positive practise while acknowledging that all women have a birth story no matter how insignificant it may initially appear. And for many women it will most certainly impact upon subsequent pregnancies and birth.