MotherStories takes you behind the scenes of a birth at the Clinique Générale-Beaulieu. Throughout the year, you’ll discover our interviews highlighting the various professionals involved in a birth and the role each plays before, during, and after the birth. Today, learn more about the wonderful profession of midwifery in our interview with Marion Coffy.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Marion Coffy, and I’m 28 years old. I’m a midwife and have been practicing at the Clinique Générale Beaulieu for over three years now. I work in the delivery room and, at the same time, teach traditional and in-pool childbirth preparation classes.
What is your role during childbirth?
As a midwife in the delivery room, I monitor labor and provide the couple with tools such as mobility exercises, breathing techniques, and massage to help ensure that the birth goes as smoothly as possible. I regularly update the patient’s obstetrician-gynecologist on the progress of labor and assist the anesthesiologist when an epidural is administered.
When the time comes for delivery, I prepare the necessary supplies and medications. I am there to encourage and reassure the mother and her partner, as well as to assist the obstetrician-gynecologist. Once the delivery is complete, I monitor the mother and baby for 2 hours, during which time they receive various forms of care.
As you can see, giving birth is truly a team effort!
In addition to the doctors, I also work with my nursing assistant partner, my midwife colleague, and a pediatric nurse or midwife who will come to care for the baby after birth.
What do you do in the event of a C-section?
I prepare the mother and her support person to go to the operating room. I’m present for the birth, along with the obstetrician-gynecologist and the pediatrician. Once the baby is born and the mother is settled in the recovery room, we join her with the baby and her support person to facilitate skin-to-skin contact and the first feeding.
And then, during the stay at the maternity ward?
I’ll perform the mother’s prenatal checkups and help the parents with their baby’s basic care: facial care, umbilical cord care, weighing the baby, changing diapers, taking the baby’s temperature, bathing the baby… I also help the mother feed her baby, whether she’s breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
At the end of the stay, I arrange for the mother’s discharge from the maternity ward by contacting the pediatrician, an independent midwife, and the mother’s obstetrician-gynecologist.
Let’s talk about childbirth preparation classes. Can you explain their purpose and how they work ?
The goal is to provide expectant parents with tools before their child is born. At the clinic, we offer four classes that include both a practical component—which involves using a ball, among other things—and a theoretical component. The topics covered are as follows:
- Physiological Changes During Pregnancy
- How the Maternity Ward at Clinique Générale Beaulieu Operates
- Essential Baby Items for the Home
- Packing Your Hospital Bag
- Reasons for visiting the maternity ward
- Natural Childbirth
- More Medicalized Childbirth
- The Epidural
- The Stay in the Maternity Ward
- Coming Home
Expectant mothers can also take prenatal exercise classes in the pool to maintain a gentle exercise routine during their pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding and hypnosis classes. Discover all the classes offered by the clinic here.
Why did you choose this career? What motivates you every day?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been very drawn to pediatrics. At first, I didn’t really know much about the midwifery profession, but I quickly realized that it was comprehensive, varied, and rewarding. We know that no two days are ever the same. Plus, playing an important role in the health of women and newborns is very rewarding to me.
What motivates me most is being able to support parents through this very important stage of their lives. Together, we experience unique emotions and moments. I see them arrive as a couple and leave as a family—it’s magical!
Do you have a memory of a birth that made a particular impression on you ?
I remember a patient who wanted to get into a squatting position to give birth because that was the only position in which she felt comfortable. My colleague and I had to adapt. We ended up lying on the floor, face down, to facilitate this natural birth. I remember we looked at each other and said with a smile that this is why we love our job. We get to experience some incredible moments!
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