A midwife has revealed the most common phone calls she has answered in hospital.
Mother-of-two Amelia Lamont, from Melbourne, has been a midwife for five years – and so she knows the distressing feeling at both ends of the birth suite.
Taking to Instagram, Amelia, otherwise known as The Midwife Mumma, said the most frequent concerns they heard over the line were about fetal moments.
‘One of the most common phone calls us midwives take in the hospital is from women worried about their fetal movements,’ she said.
‘We can hear the panic in their voice as soon as they say hello. It’s horrid and our hearts start pumping with them.’
Mother-of-two Amelia Lamont (pictured with her daughter Essie), from Melbourne, has been a midwife for five years – and so she knows the distressing feeling at both ends of the birth suite
Taking to Instagram, Amelia, otherwise known as The Midwife Mumma, said the most frequent concerns they hear over the line are about fetal moments
The midwife would then follow through with a series of questions: ‘When did you last feel baby move? Have you had any bleeding? How many weeks are you?
‘But the reality is… none of that matters. A mother’s instinct knows best and that is why more often then not, we invite them straight in for a CTG monitor to reassure them and to check the well being of their unborn baby.’
CTG stands for cardiotocography, commonly used during pregnancy to monitor the fetal heart and contractions of the uterus.
Amelia explained how often many women would feel foolish for making the phone call – thinking they are bothering the hospital at inconvenient times.
Amelia encouraged pregnant women to call for help at any time if they notice their unborn baby’s movements are slowing down (pictured with her son Alfie)
‘Many women say: “I’m sorry to bother you” or “look I’m probably being silly and over reacting”. Or even better “I was there last week with the same thing so I know baby will be fine but…”,’ she said.
‘Firstly, you are never bothering us. You and your baby are our priority at all times. Secondly, you are never being silly or overreacting, who would take that chance?
‘You felt a hunch and you did the right thing.
‘Lastly, you can come every day with concerns regarding you baby’s movements and we will always take you seriously. Chances are baby is quiet for a reason.’
Taking to Instagram, Amelia, otherwise known as The Midwife Mumma , said the most common phone calls she she has received are about fetal moments
Amelia offered her advice of making sure your unborn baby moves by lying on your back for a few minutes
Amelia encouraged pregnant women to call for help at any time if they notice their unborn baby’s movements are slowing down.
‘Never underestimate your mum instincts, ever,’ Amelia said.
‘My ob always told me: “I don’t care what any test shows, if you feel something isn’t right, it probably isn’t” and bless him.
‘Never once let me feel like I was being a hypochondriac or melodramatic. Did you know that the average fetal movements felt is approximately 10 movements within two hours from around 26 weeks?
‘Some have super active babies much earlier so the 10 in two rule would also apply to you.’
Pregnant women are the most common callers – who often seek help over the phone about concerns after noticing a change in their unborn baby’s movements
Amelia offered her advice of making sure your unborn baby moves by lying on your back for a few minutes.
‘Most of the time we are way too busy to notice but if you are ever worried, always take a moment to lie down for a few minutes and more often then not baby will be bouncing away but – and this is a big but,’ she said.
‘If you cannot feel baby or you are dissatisfied with its movements, always call your hospital and speak to your midwife about your concerns.
‘Mumma knows best.’
The mother said she’s currently working on an e-book about everything you need to know from a midwife’s perspective.
‘Because everything pregnancy and baby related that is essential for a healthy, happy pregnancy will be available to you in the click of a button,’ she said.