MotherStories takes you behind the scenes of a childbirth at the Clinique Générale-Beaulieu. Throughout the year, you’ll discover our interviews highlighting the various people involved in a childbirth and the role each plays before, during, and after the birth. Today, we kick things off with Pauline Guillot, a pediatric nurse.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Pauline Guillot. I’m 38 years old, I’ve been a pediatric nurse for nearly 15 years, and I’ve been working in the maternity ward at the Clinique Générale-Beaulieu for 5 years. I also teach courses on ergonomic babywearing with other colleagues and will soon be offering baby massage classes. We play a role in prevention, education, and parental support for families.
What is your role during childbirth?
During childbirth , my role is to ensure that newborns adapt well to life outside the womb and to take appropriate action. The first 10 minutes are critical. The baby will not only start breathing but will also need to regulate its body temperature, begin feeding, and show us that it is healthy.
I work alongside midwives during childbirth, as well as with nursing assistants. We complement each other! We take turns so that each of us can play our part, and the three of us can be there for the parents.
Before the birth, I like to go meet the parents, talk with them, and find out if they have a birth plan or any specific requests…
During childbirth, I support the expectant mother by being as unobtrusive as possible.
Once the baby is born, the obstetrician places the baby on the mother’s stomach, and I take over at that point while the obstetrician cuts the cord with the father. My actions will involve coordinating several tasks: checking the baby’s color, breathing, and upper airways; assessing muscle tone; drying the baby to maintain body temperature; introducing the baby to the parents; skin-to-skin contact; the first eye contact; and offering congratulations.
In the event of an emergency or a life-threatening situation, we help each other. The midwife and the obstetrician stay with the mother, while the neonatal nurse stays with the baby and the pediatrician. The father stays either with the midwife or with the neonatal nurse. The nursing assistant stays with either the midwife or the neonatal nurse, depending on who needs the most assistance.
And then, during the stay at the maternity ward?
Each family is cared for by a nurse and a nursing assistant over a 12-hour shift. We ensure consistency in our communication and practices when caring for parents and their babies. We support parents in their daily care of their child—including diaper changes, bathing, feeding (whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding)—and answer any questions they may have. Most often, these questions concern crying, the baby’s routine, sleep, meals, bowel movements, digestion, carrying the baby in the arms, and many other topics… We encourage parents to observe their baby—their behavior, when they sleep, when they wake up, when they eat, and when they are being held—to help them better understand and meet the baby’s needs.
Throughout their stay, parents will become increasingly independent with their baby, ensuring a smooth transition back home. An independent midwife can visit the parents at home, if they wish, to continue providing support.
New mothers also receive appropriate care and regular monitoring.
Even during the postpartum period, midwives and pediatric nurses work together and support one another. When a baby requires more care or more specific monitoring, a pediatric nurse will monitor the baby or be on hand; conversely, if a new mother presents with unusual symptoms, the midwife’s attention will be required.
Why did you choose this career? What motivates you every day?
This career was a natural choice for me. I’ve always loved interacting with children and parents and being part of the hospital environment, and I think my mother played a big part in that—she was a childcare assistant. I remember often going to see her in the maternity ward where she worked. Through a glass window, we could watch her surrounded by cribs, taking care of the babies and talking to them.
I’m always happy to go to work, to be with my colleagues, and to meet new parents every time—as well as big sisters and big brothers. I really enjoy my job; I feel comfortable and useful. I love sharing what I know, answering parents’ questions, and guiding them on the path ahead. Newborns are just waiting to discover the world and communicate.
I also enjoy continuing my education and learning. In this profession, there are so many different ways to practice it. Early childhood spans from birth through adolescence, and practices in the health field are constantly evolving—it’s up to us to adapt.
What drives me is connecting with people, sharing ideas, passing on knowledge, and, of course, providing care.
Do you have a memory of a birth that made a particular impression on you ?
Every birth is special to me—it’s such a unique moment, and so different every time! I’m always moved when I’m photographing a birth; a family is being created or growing, and I get to be a witness to that story.
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