3.5.e Florence's Case: Labour Tensions

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When Florence goes into labour her partner, Tom, pages Riann. The page is redirected to a nurse who explains that Riann is tied up with an emergency at the hospital and that they should come in for a labour assessment.

When they arrive at the hospital, Riann is there to meet them. She introduces herself, apologizes for not being able to meet with Florence and Tom earlier, and thanks them for coming into the hospital for an assessment.

The whole family appears tentative and upset. “We just thought that she would get to meet you before our baby came…” Tom remarks. He looks downwards. Florence is looking down too. She is quiet but appears upset. The aunties and women in the room are all sitting close to Florence. One auntie says "And we were expecting you to come to the house today when we called you."

Riann explains that she has other patients in the hospital who need urgent care that she could not leave. She acknowledges that this impacts Florence's choices and plans for a home birth. She apologizes sincerely. Riann then assures Florence and her family that she has read Florence’s chart, and received all the information about her pregnancy from Tasmin in a handover before Tasmin left. She explains that she and Tasmin have had an in depth discussion regarding Florence’s birth wishes, cultural values, and plan for family involvement, and that she is supportive of these wishes.

This conversation puts Florence more at ease. She feels more relaxed now that she has met her new provider and is confident that she has Riann's support to birth on island, with her family around.