They are those who meet you in this world. They are those who look at worrying eyes and announce: “Hold, it’s your baby.” Their job is important and fateful. On International Birth Attendant Day we met those ladies, who devoted their lives to this job
Hurina Tamara Oleksandrivna, Chief Medical Officer of Zhytomyr regional Perinatal Center, specialist of Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Department of Health care of Zhytomyr Regional Administration in specialty of Obstetrics, has started working in hospital as a birth attendant. More than 27 years she’s working in perinatal center, where she helps newborns and their mothers.
“Rude person won’t be able to work here. If you don’t like people or children, you can’t support and assist. Yes, you should be aware of the sphere, get experience and understand that you work with people and you have to treat others as you would like to be treated. Good things always return.”
“On Saint Andrew’s holiday in 1989 we received the first boy. Hands were shaking and it was scary – it’s such a responsibility! I was assisted by Halyna Hryhorivna Naumovych. Thanks to her and her hands I felt the importance of helping a woman. Nowadays there is a psychological help, but it didn’t use to be like that and she was explaining and telling how to do this and that herself, therefore teaching. “
“There mustn’t be any weakness at our work, you should know how to concentrate, because you worry more about patience that for yourself”
“Now we all have quality equipment, but no matter how modern it is, it’s impossible to work without person’s control over it”
“Everybody behave differently, there are also funny stories. Once we had an accident, when woman started to give birth, but she began to tell how many chicken and roosters she has at home. But you listen for calming her down.” (Smiles)
“Women accept being mother differently. Some consciously give birth; others continue being a child themselves. Once they hug a child for the first time, first feeding and tears, mothers understand all responsibility, which is laid on them”
Naumovych Halyna Hryhorivna, a midwife of maternity ward with individual and family wards and operating rooms of Zhytomyr Regional Perinatal Center – an obstetrician with 34-years experience. Her professionalism, lively wisdom and optimism helped a lot of women.
“On 22 of March 1983 I had a first working day. After graduating from Zhytomyr Medical College I came here to work. On the first day I was sent to Intake office, and there were 18 women giving birth. It was a lot!”
“I chose a profession deliberately. I had an acquaintance, who was working as a midwife. She wasn’t telling a lot about work, but it seemed to be incredible job, magical and unattainable! So I decided that it’s my destiny, as if I felt a push”
“When I applied to Medical college, my mom didn’t even know, which faculty I’ve chosen. I decided myself, brought documents and applied. When I received a call to start studying, mom figured out and was a little disappointed with my decision. Then I took all responsibility and for 34 years I’ve been working in the sphere.”
“Nowadays, I’m the only one who works as a midwife, among two groups from college and 60 students.”
“The first woman in labor I was assisting while having a practice, I was something of 20 then. It was scary, but there was my mentor there, who supported me. Burden of responsibility? No way! But the trust is huge! (Smiles) You worry about other people, then about yourself. Work must be done on “A+” grade. Moreover, during childbirth there are four of us in a team – doctor obstetrician-gynecologist, neonatologist and assistance nurse.”
“It’s an often thing for twins to be born. Once there were 20 women who gave birth to twins. Triplets are rare thing, of course. It’s important for kids and moms to be healthy!”
“My parents are simple people, but they have been teaching me to be kind for all my life, that’s why I’m very thankful. I’m already granny, but you know, parents are the most important people, no matter how old you are, even being 50. It’s good, when mom is close to you, even if she does nothing, is just near you, tells you something…”
“How many children have I met for 34 years? I can’t count…Girls advised me drawing some sticks, but there’s no time for that (Smiles)”
“Time is changing and a person still comes to this world by already known way. As it used to be, woman gives birth in agony. Support is needed, as it used to be. I always tell future moms: “Child, listen, be patient” and they listen”
“There is a lot of information nowadays and youth is more aware of everything. It’s good, when woman comes to us with husband, even though they behave differently. Some of them sometimes say: “I wish it was faster…” and when it’s really lovely couple, women get big support and help. It’s so adorable! Therefore, it’s easier to work for us too, and woman gets help. Believe me, fathers will not see what they don’t need to: only their wife and newborn child.”
“The oldest woman giving birth was almost 44. It’s more difficult to give birth at this age. It’s easier to be young. Recently, a 14 year old girl has given birth, but she’s such a beautiful mom, really! She’s already become older, and behaves responsibly towards her child. She’s such careful and tender as a bird. She has even taken care of new-made father. He has been sleeping for all the night and she says: “Shhh, let him sleep”. She pressed a child to herself and it’s so amazingly beautiful!”
“My grandson is 5. Now it’s my most important and beloved person!”(Smiles)
The warmest words of congratulating with International Birth Attendant day our heroes heard from young mother, who has just given birth to a girl, 4350 g weight. “You know, a lot of things depend on midwife. Thanks to her everything is okay with me. When it’s painful or I’m in panic, she calms me down, supports and does her work…You wish such people to be healthy. Let their hands not hurt and everything to be great!”
Translated by Aliona Matushevich
