MotherStories takes you behind the scenes of a birth at Clinique Générale-Beaulieu. Throughout the year, you'll discover our Interviews highlighting the different players involved in a birth and the role of each one before, during and after the birth. Today, find out more about the often shadowy yet essential job of care assistant with the Interview with Maëva Griot.
Maëva, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Maëva, I'm 25 years old and I've been a care assistant for 5 years. I joined the Clinique Générale-Beaulieu team almost 1 year ago. Before that, I worked with the elderly - 2 completely different age groups, but all sharing the same need for care, listening, presence and kindness.
What's your role during childbirth?
Before the birth, my role is to prepare the delivery room for the couple's arrival, and to make sure that the midwives, nurses and gynecologist have all the necessary equipment. I take note of the birth plan if there is one, so as to best meet the parents' expectations and needs - for example, if the mother wishes to give birth without an epidural, or to labor in a bathtub.
During childbirth, I'm there to support the team present (midwives and nursery nurses mainly) and help them take care of the couples by responding to their requests.
We're a team, and communication between us is essential to monitor the progress of labor optimally and (re)act accordingly.
And afterwards, in the post-partum period?
In the post-partum period, my role is to ensure that the mother's room is perfectly clean and tidy, and that she doesn't miss anything, in collaboration with the hotel staff (orders, meal trays, etc.). We're trained to answer moms' questions, give them advice and guide them through breastfeeding and baby care (diapering, bathing...). We build strong bonds with the mothers, especially those who have had a caesarean section, as we help them with all their daily routine. They're grateful for the help we give them, and for us it's rewarding.
What requests do parents usually have once they're back in their room?Do you have a memory to share?
They are mainly concerned with the baby (the meaning of crying, how to recognize when he's hungry, whether he's eaten properly, the best positions for breast-feeding...).
One day, a mother rang to ask me if her baby was well positioned and in the best conditions to eat. First and foremost, I reassured her that the baby's position was perfect, but that she also needed to think about her comfort, which was just as important. Her shoulders were tense and she was carrying her baby at arm's length. I showed her how to use the nursing pillow (aptly named), so that she could lean on it to relieve her.
Why did you choose to become a caregiver, and what drives you most in your day-to-day work?
I chose this profession to pass on our knowledge to parents. Being present at the first hesitant gestures of parents before seeing them, hour after hour, gaining their confidence. These are emotional moments that I'm privileged and proud to experience. What drives me most is getting up in the morning without knowing what the day has in store for us. Each mission and each accompaniment is unique, which is very enriching and gratifying.
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