Worked last night at the single room maternity care hospital. Not too bad a night except that I started the night in the O.R. and ended the night in the O.R. The O.R. is my least favorite place to be and I always end up there when I'm having a good hair night!!! Never fails.....I even told myself driving to work last night to be prepared to hit the O.R. first thing cause the hair was looking pretty darn good.......and sure enough!!!
The first c/s was distressing for the poor mom because she had been admitted for elective induction on Sunday evening...had cervidil all night, pit started early Monday morning, doc broke her water shortly after pit started.....made it to 5cm by 6pm last evening just to discover the babe was breech!
Now, the nurse that cared for this patient said she thinks the baby must've turned during labor, she only checked her once, about noonish, and is confident it was head she was feeling. This nurse is a good one too and it definitely wouldn't be the first time a baby has flipped during labor.
This patient was being electively induced (doc is on vacation next week) at 38 wks and the babe was barely over 6#. But everyone did well and that baby is sooo cute!!
The midpart of the night was pretty uneventful and then 4am hit! 4am seems to be the witching hour in labor and delivery. That's when it all hits the fan.
We were schedule to have two inductions arrive at 5am and the am scheduled c/s was to be there at 5am also. Well, at 0430 we had a patient, who was scheduled for a c/s later in the week, show up because her water was broke. She had a c/s scheduled because the baby was breech (she wasn't happy...3rd baby, other two were vag deliveries) and much to her excitement when she arrived we scanned her and the baby had turned head down!! So, she was admitted as a labor patient
Not ten minutes after we got her in a room another patient comes in thinking her water broke and has been contracting, so we used some nitrazine and confirmed the leaking of amniotic fluid so I told her she is definitely staying and having a baby today.
I told her I was going to call the doctor and let them know she was here so they could head in and we would get her ready for her repeat c/s unless she was planning to VBAC. This is when she perks up and says she had originally wanted to VBAC but that her doctor didn't think she could birth vaginally because with her first child she never made it past 6cm. After some probing I found out she was electively induced at 39 weeks and after 14 hrs of pit they did a c/s. I explained to her that it was her choice what she wanted to do and she could discuss it further with her doctor but that her body didn't fail her the first time around, the induction did.
So, since she was contracting I checked her cervix and to her surprise found that she was almost 3cm, 80% effaced and the baby was -1 station. Granted, I am no physician but I have had my hand in lots of pelvis' and this girl seemed to have adequate room and her pelvis felt totally normal. I reminded her that she was weeks earlier with this baby and so it would probably be smaller (first was just over 7#!). So, she asked me to ask her doc if she could attempt a TOL when I called him.
I honestly thought this doc wouldn't mind letting her VBAC, he is one of the only ones in this town that is open to it and tends to be so laid back!! So I expressed to him her wishes and let him know she was dilated, contracting every five minutes, baby was well applied and things were looking great. No......not happening, doesn't think her pelvis is adequate.....prep her for c/s, he is on his way. What the h***!!!!!!!!!!!! This girl is 5ft 8inches, not overweight and about to have a baby that ended up being 6# even.......and her pelvis isn't adequate?!
Found out later that this gal has a family member who is an OB in a much larger city with an even higher c/s rate than ours.........think that had anything to do with it, hmmm!
So gals, in my city I have found that if you or anyone you are related to are in the fields of medicine or of law.....you will have a c/s. It's just getting worse, seeing women talked into primary c/s or talked out of VBAC and then finding out her brother is an MD or her aunt is a lawyer.....never fails.
Man, I get wordy!!! Can you tell I talk alot.....need to learn to be more concise!!!!
Well, I think it is time for a nap.....didn't sleep too well when I got home this morning and now I am starting to feel yucky!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Whew.......I survived!
First term........done! I believe I pulled all three A's. Still waiting on grades for two of the classes but I would have to done REALLY bad on the last assignment for each to not receive an A!
Feeling quite proud of myself right about now. I managed to; go to school full-time, work part-time, have three boys playing baseball (two of them play for travel teams-translation; practice or games 6 days a week!), sit on the all-volunteer board for the local youth athletic association (more work than I EVER imagined), and get straight A's. My husband is feeling a bit slighted but totally gets it now that he has seen all the time and work I put into school......just keep reminding him it will all be worth it in the end.
Term recap: Three classes. The Role of Nurse-Midwifery class consisted of two large papers, an oral presentation and a weekend workshop.
Pathophysiology consisted of a short paper and five exams.
Health promotion consisted of ALOT of reading!!!! This class had a 3-5 page essay, a forum assignment, a research assignment, a group project and a really large (15-20page) health management plan.
The big thing that is going to take alot of adjustment is moving from the role of carrying out health care provider orders to thinking like a primary care provider.
One thing about all of these courses: the reading is intense. There is soooooooo much of it, for all the classes!
Very glad that term is over and done with.
Looking forward: Three classes again. Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology.....looks like a fun class. I am looking forward to this one. I know it won't be easy but should hold my interest.
Decision Making in Health Assessment.....learning to think like a primary health care provider. Learning to use critical thinking skills and diagnostic reasoning skills. I should learn alot here!
Theories and Concepts in Primary Care......confession time; I'm not to enthusiastic about this class. Never really liked theory much at all. This will be the class I have a hard time being motivated to work on!
So that is school, as of right now, in a nut-shell.
Just ordered my books....almost $400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got lucky last term and only had to buy one book and managed to get it from a student ahead of me for less than half the original price. Well, my good fortune has run out because she got rid of all the books for these classes. I don't mind buying the books for the repro and health assess classes because I intend to keep those but didn't want to fork out the bucks for the theory books. Oh well, maybe I can sell them to someone next term.
Well, next week I am working three days to try and make some $$ before the next term starts. I plan on cutting down to one day a week until I see how these classes are going to play out. I can usually pick up extra shifts but don't want to get overwhelmed by signing up for too many shifts and then get behind in school or be so stressed I take it out on my family.
Now, I think the kids and I will head to a movie since it's cloudy and overcast. Maybe we can get some time in at the pool this week!
Feeling quite proud of myself right about now. I managed to; go to school full-time, work part-time, have three boys playing baseball (two of them play for travel teams-translation; practice or games 6 days a week!), sit on the all-volunteer board for the local youth athletic association (more work than I EVER imagined), and get straight A's. My husband is feeling a bit slighted but totally gets it now that he has seen all the time and work I put into school......just keep reminding him it will all be worth it in the end.
Term recap: Three classes. The Role of Nurse-Midwifery class consisted of two large papers, an oral presentation and a weekend workshop.
Pathophysiology consisted of a short paper and five exams.
Health promotion consisted of ALOT of reading!!!! This class had a 3-5 page essay, a forum assignment, a research assignment, a group project and a really large (15-20page) health management plan.
The big thing that is going to take alot of adjustment is moving from the role of carrying out health care provider orders to thinking like a primary care provider.
One thing about all of these courses: the reading is intense. There is soooooooo much of it, for all the classes!
Very glad that term is over and done with.
Looking forward: Three classes again. Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology.....looks like a fun class. I am looking forward to this one. I know it won't be easy but should hold my interest.
Decision Making in Health Assessment.....learning to think like a primary health care provider. Learning to use critical thinking skills and diagnostic reasoning skills. I should learn alot here!
Theories and Concepts in Primary Care......confession time; I'm not to enthusiastic about this class. Never really liked theory much at all. This will be the class I have a hard time being motivated to work on!
So that is school, as of right now, in a nut-shell.
Just ordered my books....almost $400!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got lucky last term and only had to buy one book and managed to get it from a student ahead of me for less than half the original price. Well, my good fortune has run out because she got rid of all the books for these classes. I don't mind buying the books for the repro and health assess classes because I intend to keep those but didn't want to fork out the bucks for the theory books. Oh well, maybe I can sell them to someone next term.
Well, next week I am working three days to try and make some $$ before the next term starts. I plan on cutting down to one day a week until I see how these classes are going to play out. I can usually pick up extra shifts but don't want to get overwhelmed by signing up for too many shifts and then get behind in school or be so stressed I take it out on my family.
Now, I think the kids and I will head to a movie since it's cloudy and overcast. Maybe we can get some time in at the pool this week!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Back to where I started.....
Well, I keep getting low census at work so I called the big house (the large tertiary care center with high-risk L&D, where I started out as a nurse) and they are short staffed on night shifts so I am picking up about one shift a week with them. I have worked two nights so far and am loving being back. There are only three nurses left on night shift from 31/2 years ago when I worked there but the night crew is alot of fun. Most of the gals I used to work with have moved on to dayshift, or gone elsewhere. The night shift is a young crew but very nice and welcoming. I am glad I made the decision to "come home".
Frankly, I love working in the single-room maternity care setting and having the normal laboring patients but there is just something about those high-risk patients that keeps you on your toes and makes you keep your critical thinking skills sharp!
I have four patients tonight al l with different problems and levels of acuity. I have done alot of tear wiping and just plain listening tonight. I forgot how intense emotionally some of this can be. I like to bond with my patients and provide them some emotional support as well as nursing care during this time. I hope to make a difference in their experience and help them be as comforted as possible during such a difficult time.
School only has three weeks left and I still have lots to do. Currently in the middle of two large papers and still have two test to finish in patho. That would be the reason I don't blog much these days...wish I had more time to read others blogs and update more often on mine.
I will do a term recap at the end of this month and update everyone on how the term went and how I did.
Well, time to go put all my gals on NST's (non-stress test) and draw labs.
Frankly, I love working in the single-room maternity care setting and having the normal laboring patients but there is just something about those high-risk patients that keeps you on your toes and makes you keep your critical thinking skills sharp!
I have four patients tonight al l with different problems and levels of acuity. I have done alot of tear wiping and just plain listening tonight. I forgot how intense emotionally some of this can be. I like to bond with my patients and provide them some emotional support as well as nursing care during this time. I hope to make a difference in their experience and help them be as comforted as possible during such a difficult time.
School only has three weeks left and I still have lots to do. Currently in the middle of two large papers and still have two test to finish in patho. That would be the reason I don't blog much these days...wish I had more time to read others blogs and update more often on mine.
I will do a term recap at the end of this month and update everyone on how the term went and how I did.
Well, time to go put all my gals on NST's (non-stress test) and draw labs.
Monday, May 26, 2008
5 a day....fruits and veggies!
Catching up on some blog reading here and found this neat little post by babymidwyfe. I think it is interesting how foods effect certain parts of the body. This post gives a visual link to foods and body parts....I enjoyed it!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Affirmations from Kneelingwoman
You absolutely must read this post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But first, take a moment to open your heart and your mind and really listen to what she is saying. This woman puts so very eloquently into words the truth of how so many women are made to feel because of how they choose to parent/birth/breastfeed/bottlefeed/live/love and the list goes on...............
I really love the following from this post:
In the beginning, there was woman.
Before a woman is a mother; she is a woman.
Before a woman is a mother, she is someone's partner and lover.
A woman is more than her mothering; more than her birth and parenting choices.
A woman should be a free agent; encouraged and empowered by her sisters to make her own best choices in all areas.
A woman who gives birth is a mother; regardless of how.
A woman who feeds her child is a good mother; regardless of how.
A woman who takes care of her primary relationship is a good mother because the relationship between the parents' is the foundation for that child's life. Without the example of loving partnership set by the parents; the child has no ability to create or sustain relationships in his own life.
A woman who is honest about her needs and who knows how to get those needs met; is a good mother. A woman who knows her limits, chooses freely, each day, what is needed for that days life, sets an example of flexibility, openness to new ideas and creativity.
Now that you have had a small teaser.....go read the post in its entirety for yourself and ponder the things she says and really take them to heart.
But first, take a moment to open your heart and your mind and really listen to what she is saying. This woman puts so very eloquently into words the truth of how so many women are made to feel because of how they choose to parent/birth/breastfeed/bottlefeed/live/love and the list goes on...............
I really love the following from this post:
In the beginning, there was woman.
Before a woman is a mother; she is a woman.
Before a woman is a mother, she is someone's partner and lover.
A woman is more than her mothering; more than her birth and parenting choices.
A woman should be a free agent; encouraged and empowered by her sisters to make her own best choices in all areas.
A woman who gives birth is a mother; regardless of how.
A woman who feeds her child is a good mother; regardless of how.
A woman who takes care of her primary relationship is a good mother because the relationship between the parents' is the foundation for that child's life. Without the example of loving partnership set by the parents; the child has no ability to create or sustain relationships in his own life.
A woman who is honest about her needs and who knows how to get those needs met; is a good mother. A woman who knows her limits, chooses freely, each day, what is needed for that days life, sets an example of flexibility, openness to new ideas and creativity.
Now that you have had a small teaser.....go read the post in its entirety for yourself and ponder the things she says and really take them to heart.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Busy weekend!
Sorry, I've been a slacker. Not much posting lately.....school is very busy!
I just came home from a How to Start a Birth Center workshop over the weekend. I have mixed feelings about attending this workshop. First off, it was GREAT to be with fellow FSMFN students (this workshop is required for NM 601) and to be able to get to know some of those in classes ahead of me.
Secondly, the workshop was very overwhelming, especially for those of us just starting the program. I don't really think this should be required in the first year of school, perhaps requiring students to take it within the 6 months prior to clinical bound, it would be less overwhelming and feel more pertinent to what they are learning and doing at this point in the program.
I did enjoy getting to tour the two birth centers we visited and talking to the midwives that work at those centers. The CNM's for both of these centers practice at their birth center as well as the local hospitals. One of the centers has been in operation for the last 25 years and serves a very rural area, delivering about 120 babies a year. The midwives in this center also deliver about 70 babies per year in the local hospital. The other center has been operating for 17years and also does about 120 deliveries per year in the center. The CNM's in this center also deliver about 165 babies per year in the local hospital, this center is in a very urban area.
It was very eye-opening to see the struggles that birth centers go through to just keep themselves afloat financially. And how difficult it is to stay open with birth being as political as it is. All it takes is a doctor who decides to not back the center anymore to close it down. These two centers have stayed open very successfully and for such a long time because the community is behind them and they have such a good track record the medical community sees the good they do for the people they serve.
I really like this quote by Ruth Lubic, "Remember, the people you serve are your strength"
Another quote I came away from this workshop with really sums up the way I feel about attending births as a midwife, "Imagine you are a midwife. You're assisting at someone else's birth. Do good without show or fuss. Facilitate what is happening rather than what you think ought to happen. When the baby is born, the mothers will rightly say "we did it ourselves"."-Lao Tzu, 5th Century BC
Anyhow, those are just some quick random thoughts about this weekend. I have a big paper due this week and a test. I think next weekend I will pull all this birth center stuff back out, go over it and really try and process my thoughts about the workshop more objectively (right now I am just plain tired!) and do a little soul searching about my own desire to open a birth center. I have always wanted to do as these two centers do and provide women with the option of delivering in the birth center or hospital. I don't think women should be forced to choose a certain type of health care provider based on where they want to give birth, but I'll get into that more at a later time.
Off to snuggle with my Lover and drift off to sleep in his arms
I just came home from a How to Start a Birth Center workshop over the weekend. I have mixed feelings about attending this workshop. First off, it was GREAT to be with fellow FSMFN students (this workshop is required for NM 601) and to be able to get to know some of those in classes ahead of me.
Secondly, the workshop was very overwhelming, especially for those of us just starting the program. I don't really think this should be required in the first year of school, perhaps requiring students to take it within the 6 months prior to clinical bound, it would be less overwhelming and feel more pertinent to what they are learning and doing at this point in the program.
I did enjoy getting to tour the two birth centers we visited and talking to the midwives that work at those centers. The CNM's for both of these centers practice at their birth center as well as the local hospitals. One of the centers has been in operation for the last 25 years and serves a very rural area, delivering about 120 babies a year. The midwives in this center also deliver about 70 babies per year in the local hospital. The other center has been operating for 17years and also does about 120 deliveries per year in the center. The CNM's in this center also deliver about 165 babies per year in the local hospital, this center is in a very urban area.
It was very eye-opening to see the struggles that birth centers go through to just keep themselves afloat financially. And how difficult it is to stay open with birth being as political as it is. All it takes is a doctor who decides to not back the center anymore to close it down. These two centers have stayed open very successfully and for such a long time because the community is behind them and they have such a good track record the medical community sees the good they do for the people they serve.
I really like this quote by Ruth Lubic, "Remember, the people you serve are your strength"
Another quote I came away from this workshop with really sums up the way I feel about attending births as a midwife, "Imagine you are a midwife. You're assisting at someone else's birth. Do good without show or fuss. Facilitate what is happening rather than what you think ought to happen. When the baby is born, the mothers will rightly say "we did it ourselves"."-Lao Tzu, 5th Century BC
Anyhow, those are just some quick random thoughts about this weekend. I have a big paper due this week and a test. I think next weekend I will pull all this birth center stuff back out, go over it and really try and process my thoughts about the workshop more objectively (right now I am just plain tired!) and do a little soul searching about my own desire to open a birth center. I have always wanted to do as these two centers do and provide women with the option of delivering in the birth center or hospital. I don't think women should be forced to choose a certain type of health care provider based on where they want to give birth, but I'll get into that more at a later time.
Off to snuggle with my Lover and drift off to sleep in his arms
Friday, May 2, 2008
What's up?
What is going on? Where have House of Harris and Minority Midwifery Student gone? Why have you ladies decided to make your blogs private?
I have enjoyed both of those blogs so much and am very saddened by this. I hope it wasn't due to any flack you were getting from others. I just hate that some people who blog their opinions get attacked by others.
Opinions are like arses, everyone has one!
So, why must some people think that it is their duty to attack those who are willing to put themselves out there and voice those opinions. Everyone is entitled to say what they want to say and if you don't like it, go elsewhere! It's their blog! Go get your own blog and voice your opinions there (without the personal attacks please, that is just tacky!)
I am just annoyed today, sorry for the rant
I have enjoyed both of those blogs so much and am very saddened by this. I hope it wasn't due to any flack you were getting from others. I just hate that some people who blog their opinions get attacked by others.
Opinions are like arses, everyone has one!
So, why must some people think that it is their duty to attack those who are willing to put themselves out there and voice those opinions. Everyone is entitled to say what they want to say and if you don't like it, go elsewhere! It's their blog! Go get your own blog and voice your opinions there (without the personal attacks please, that is just tacky!)
I am just annoyed today, sorry for the rant
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