Hello,
I have grown and learned so much this placement and although I tell you all bits and peices, it is truly difficult for me to express the depth of my experiences with Sunday evening chats, so hooray for blogs.
I have done some neat things; I delivered an upside-down baby (not breech but posterior), otherwise known as "sunny-side up". It was a nice surprise, the woman pushed like a champion for 2 hours which really is average for a first baby so I am quite amazed! I have delivered a baby pretty much on my own, I have started IVs, I have given so many drugs through IV, I have sutured and tied knots and really grown in my confidence and skills.
But enough about me, really, I need to honour the strength of the women whom I am so honoured to help:
1: This young woman laboured and delivered with our support and no pain medications. Her husband was a bit useless in terms of providing support, asking me inappropriate, irrelevant questions while she was contracting and while I was talking her through them; I guess midwives truly need all sorts of skills. Some of which I clearly picked up while working at The Freeway.
2: I have experience my first significant post partum hemorrhage. I was with the woman all day (relieving the midwives who were with her all night). She had an epidural but still felt quite a bit of pain and an extrememly long labour. She started to develop a fever and her baby's heart rate started to go up with it. We got antibiotics in her and after talking with the OB, decided a vaccuum to c-section would be the best planned sequence to get the baby out. She did end up having a vaccum delivery which is great but her bleeding did not stop. She was panicked and in so much pain and could not even meet her baby right away; he needed a little bit of resuscitation but thankfully was fine. While being born his shoulders were stuck for a little bit and she required a huge episiotomy. Coming into the labour, she had low blood platelets. All of these things play a contributing role into a postpartum bleed. It was scary for me to see the nurses go through all of the lines of action; all of the drugs to stop bleeding, starting a second IV, the OB manually removed clots and bimanually compressed the uterus and by the end she needed a transfusion and some oxygen. I felt so helpless as I held her baby and repeatedly checked his temperature to make sure he didn't have the fever his mother presented with. I was also trying to communicate with the father what was happening in a sensitive and appropriate way - trying not to worry him until needed sort of thing. Thankfully, bleeding was stable after loosing an estimated 1500ml , she became stable and baby was stable. She is currently breastfeeding and fine, amazing.
3: Another significant birth for me was more recent. I pretty much managed everything on my own; the induction, the IV, the meds, the monitoring, the support, the catheterization... She had a 17 hour labour so I felt good by the time pushing came and we were worried that this would also be long. One push, she stretched her tissue right out, so impressive! A few more pushes and I could start to see the head appear and then retreat. I called the second midwife while my preceptor went to update the nurses. With more pushes, the head stayed crowning so I decided to put my gloves on. A few more pushes and the baby was born; our second midwife did not get there in time so I was the primary and my preceptor was the second. It was quite exciting. I am so happy for her to have pushed her baby out, she felt so defeated throughout her long, slow labour. She was young and it was truly beautiful for her to feel empowered in that way, she is also breastfeeding which thrills her and me of course. She has had and continues to have a difficult journey and it is strange and amazing that I can be such a supportive role - it really reinforces why I am doing this.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
BIRTHS
I have been to three births! I felt more like a real midwife at each one; I feel less like a scared kid and more like a grown-up. I think this program is kicking my growing up into high gear because I have to feel grown up; I am responsible for two lives! But you know what? It feels right!
The births were great and I got some good feedback from the ladies re; labour support etc. I also got to practice some serious skills; catches, blood draws, inserting catheters, IV stuff (not starts yet but that's ok).
I feel relieved and excited again and I made it through this weekend without a single night's sleep; would sleep 3 hours, pager goes off at 3 am, get home during the day, nap for 2-3 hours and go to bed, pager goes off at 3 again. But, it's GRRRRRREAT!!!!!
The births were great and I got some good feedback from the ladies re; labour support etc. I also got to practice some serious skills; catches, blood draws, inserting catheters, IV stuff (not starts yet but that's ok).
I feel relieved and excited again and I made it through this weekend without a single night's sleep; would sleep 3 hours, pager goes off at 3 am, get home during the day, nap for 2-3 hours and go to bed, pager goes off at 3 again. But, it's GRRRRRREAT!!!!!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Grump-a-lump
The midwifery program is sooooooo hard. I am feeling worn out and I haven't even been to a birth.
I think having had a brutal cold for the past week has something to do with it (Pernell, Margie, Jen, you know what I am talking about)
This is going to be my rant about how being a student sucks but.... but.... it will be followed by future notes on how exhilerating and exciting this profession is....
You are constantly under scrutiny; the way you talk, dress, and definetly what you know is always being evaluated for clinical knowledge and skills, interprofessionalism, decision making skills, etc......
Well, my preceptors are quite nice, but even so, this dynamic still makes me uncontrollably nervous; I never feel like I can just be myself.
You are constantly new; new clinic; where is this and that???? Where is this form? How do I use this fax machine, this autoclave???? Like a first day on the job... but for the whole placement and just when you are starting to feel comfortable, you pack up and move to next placement.
You are constantly new: I say this again because as a student you are thrown into a very personal space with women; women that real midwives have been getting to know over the course of their care. All of a sudden you are the one conducting their visits and asking questions about bowel movements and breastfeeding and sometimes, well most of the time, I just feel like a tool, or a fake. This has just not been coming naturally.
You are constantly waiting for that pager to go off; The pinnacle of the midwifery placement; seeing birth. Yes, it is exciting but believe it or not, three weeks into placement, I have not been to a single birth. Most of my peers have been to 3 or 4. Now normally I wouldn't worry because this sort of thing is essentially outside of my control but my passing grade depends on my attendance as the primary care provider at 12 births by December 6th, what? Am I going to be able to take anyime off call???? I dunno? And, I have been invited to attend births with other midwives but they have actually forgotten to page me when the time came, nice.... So, I made an effort, but to no avail.
Births again.... As I wait for that pager to go off, I am in this realm of anticipation where anxiety and nerves get the better of me. I mean, I hardly know the women whose births are imminent and I guess it is just my personality, but I get more nervous providing care such as labour support and assessments (ie; vaginal exams) to women I know less well; I think this is simply exaggerated by my status as a student -- women have less confidence in my skills and I have less confidence in my skills which just makes things a little more awkward.
Being a student also sucks because we have to follow a fulltime midwife and go home and write papers which I actually enjoy because I get to reflect on knowledge but I just always feel like I am never getting on top of what I should know. I will study something, and a few months later, I forget, but the thing is.... I need to know everything I am studying, ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Being a student also sucks because your learning opportunities are granted from very busy real midwives and I often feel like a little kid tugging on my mother's skirt asking for preceptor time; I don't think they mean it, but students really are not a big priority.
I will grow up one day and be a midwife but this transformation feels at times grueling and I haven't even complained about sleepless nights at births.... That actually would be kinda nice....
I think things will start looking up, I'm just feeling a bit down right now.
But thank god it's autumn and all the good tv shows are on tv again. YES!
I think having had a brutal cold for the past week has something to do with it (Pernell, Margie, Jen, you know what I am talking about)
This is going to be my rant about how being a student sucks but.... but.... it will be followed by future notes on how exhilerating and exciting this profession is....
You are constantly under scrutiny; the way you talk, dress, and definetly what you know is always being evaluated for clinical knowledge and skills, interprofessionalism, decision making skills, etc......
Well, my preceptors are quite nice, but even so, this dynamic still makes me uncontrollably nervous; I never feel like I can just be myself.
You are constantly new; new clinic; where is this and that???? Where is this form? How do I use this fax machine, this autoclave???? Like a first day on the job... but for the whole placement and just when you are starting to feel comfortable, you pack up and move to next placement.
You are constantly new: I say this again because as a student you are thrown into a very personal space with women; women that real midwives have been getting to know over the course of their care. All of a sudden you are the one conducting their visits and asking questions about bowel movements and breastfeeding and sometimes, well most of the time, I just feel like a tool, or a fake. This has just not been coming naturally.
You are constantly waiting for that pager to go off; The pinnacle of the midwifery placement; seeing birth. Yes, it is exciting but believe it or not, three weeks into placement, I have not been to a single birth. Most of my peers have been to 3 or 4. Now normally I wouldn't worry because this sort of thing is essentially outside of my control but my passing grade depends on my attendance as the primary care provider at 12 births by December 6th, what? Am I going to be able to take anyime off call???? I dunno? And, I have been invited to attend births with other midwives but they have actually forgotten to page me when the time came, nice.... So, I made an effort, but to no avail.
Births again.... As I wait for that pager to go off, I am in this realm of anticipation where anxiety and nerves get the better of me. I mean, I hardly know the women whose births are imminent and I guess it is just my personality, but I get more nervous providing care such as labour support and assessments (ie; vaginal exams) to women I know less well; I think this is simply exaggerated by my status as a student -- women have less confidence in my skills and I have less confidence in my skills which just makes things a little more awkward.
Being a student also sucks because we have to follow a fulltime midwife and go home and write papers which I actually enjoy because I get to reflect on knowledge but I just always feel like I am never getting on top of what I should know. I will study something, and a few months later, I forget, but the thing is.... I need to know everything I am studying, ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Being a student also sucks because your learning opportunities are granted from very busy real midwives and I often feel like a little kid tugging on my mother's skirt asking for preceptor time; I don't think they mean it, but students really are not a big priority.
I will grow up one day and be a midwife but this transformation feels at times grueling and I haven't even complained about sleepless nights at births.... That actually would be kinda nice....
I think things will start looking up, I'm just feeling a bit down right now.
But thank god it's autumn and all the good tv shows are on tv again. YES!
Go to Thai Memory
Thai Memory is the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been to. The food is quite fresh and the flavours are interesting. Please go check it out; it is on King William near James.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Do do do do doo doo do!
Hola friends!
I will soon be catching babies again in Hamilton so I will have many stories to share.
You may have heard, Adrian and I are moving in together. (My Christian relatives cannot find out) Despite belief that living with significant other prior to marriage ends in tears, recent studies suggest that 55% of those couples marry within 5 years. I find that reassuring. Thanks to everyone for their support. AND, Ophelia Syndrome is playing Cafe on King in Cambridge on Tuesday the 28th at 9ish, please come, they are awesome. Tori Amos influenced jazzy music!!!! wahoo!!!!
PS: I miss Kevin, the day he left I was sent an external hard drive I cannot figure out how to use... Who else misses the Chen?
I will soon be catching babies again in Hamilton so I will have many stories to share.
You may have heard, Adrian and I are moving in together. (My Christian relatives cannot find out) Despite belief that living with significant other prior to marriage ends in tears, recent studies suggest that 55% of those couples marry within 5 years. I find that reassuring. Thanks to everyone for their support. AND, Ophelia Syndrome is playing Cafe on King in Cambridge on Tuesday the 28th at 9ish, please come, they are awesome. Tori Amos influenced jazzy music!!!! wahoo!!!!
PS: I miss Kevin, the day he left I was sent an external hard drive I cannot figure out how to use... Who else misses the Chen?
Monday, May 28, 2007
Bits and Bites
I have moved back to Hamilton
Beginning of May
Previous tenants had not moved out or cleaned out my room
They are digusting
Adrian helped me sweep up balls and balls of cat hair.
I continued to clean the rest of the house... Found a dead, flattened mouse under the couch, ew.....
Once it is a clean, it is a lovely old house from the 1880s. New housemates are nice, all is well.
Mini vacation to the States
Cousin getting married in Delaware, drive to NJ first to stop at their house and spend the night. I have the flu and I cannot eat anything.
Anything I eat stays in my tummy like a rock for hours upon hours... Needless to say, nothing properly passed through. Wedding lovely, at a fancy hotel called hotel Dupont, the same Dupont as the chemical company, ew.
Mini excursion to NYC. Still sick, not eating, weak and tired, grrrrr.
Bus to NYC, walk to 30th and 8th avenue where our hostel was situated. I did not realize the gravity of our situation until we tried sleeping there that night. Very small, seemed clean but who really knows and the bunk bed kept tangling my hair!!!!! (the metal frame)
We did some fun stuff like a gallery or two, central park, The Staten Island Ferry and walking through Greenich Village but all in all, I wasn't loving the trop, I guess being sick and all an was looking forward to going home.
Home!!!!!!
And Adrian and I are celebrating our one year anniversary. As I enter my room for the first time since being away I find a bouqet of pink Gerbera daisies on my bed. Part two, Adrian takes me to build a bear where we each build a cute teddybear. Part 3, Adrian takes me to the Rex in Toronto which was amazing, cozy, good food and home made desserts while listening to great Brazilian jazz.
Went to friends wedding, super fun, open bar, nice speeches.
Head to Ophelia Syndrome's gig. Packed bar, they were encored. They are gonna be famous, I love all of their songs, everyone has to see them next time they play, you will get hooked.
Beginning of May
Previous tenants had not moved out or cleaned out my room
They are digusting
Adrian helped me sweep up balls and balls of cat hair.
I continued to clean the rest of the house... Found a dead, flattened mouse under the couch, ew.....
Once it is a clean, it is a lovely old house from the 1880s. New housemates are nice, all is well.
Mini vacation to the States
Cousin getting married in Delaware, drive to NJ first to stop at their house and spend the night. I have the flu and I cannot eat anything.
Anything I eat stays in my tummy like a rock for hours upon hours... Needless to say, nothing properly passed through. Wedding lovely, at a fancy hotel called hotel Dupont, the same Dupont as the chemical company, ew.
Mini excursion to NYC. Still sick, not eating, weak and tired, grrrrr.
Bus to NYC, walk to 30th and 8th avenue where our hostel was situated. I did not realize the gravity of our situation until we tried sleeping there that night. Very small, seemed clean but who really knows and the bunk bed kept tangling my hair!!!!! (the metal frame)
We did some fun stuff like a gallery or two, central park, The Staten Island Ferry and walking through Greenich Village but all in all, I wasn't loving the trop, I guess being sick and all an was looking forward to going home.
Home!!!!!!
And Adrian and I are celebrating our one year anniversary. As I enter my room for the first time since being away I find a bouqet of pink Gerbera daisies on my bed. Part two, Adrian takes me to build a bear where we each build a cute teddybear. Part 3, Adrian takes me to the Rex in Toronto which was amazing, cozy, good food and home made desserts while listening to great Brazilian jazz.
Went to friends wedding, super fun, open bar, nice speeches.
Head to Ophelia Syndrome's gig. Packed bar, they were encored. They are gonna be famous, I love all of their songs, everyone has to see them next time they play, you will get hooked.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
My Oma's birthday
A couple of weekends ago my family and I celebrated my Oma's 80th birthday with her, it was lovely. I have cousins my age that I don't see very often and I have a good time with them. We also ate lots of torte; German cakes galore!!!!
My life is entering another phase; my Opa was shaved by my family members at the dinner table. It was quite funny and sentimental but my Opa, the German pilot from World War 2, who went into a Russian battlefield with hundreds of men and came out as one of 9 with some metal prizes sent into his ass, prisoner of war survivor, up at 6am to do his exercises and shovel the driveway in a blizzard up until recently, is now frail and old. He recently had a stroke and is loosing much of his function and strength. He is still the sweet, strong Opa that I love, actually cuter now in his helplessness but it was strange seeing him in his helplessness. My tante Monica was cutting his crazy white hair, my dad shaving his face and my Unkle Jens holding the plug for the razor in the wall. Recently we have been looking at retirement homes because he is becoming too much for my Oma to care for. It is weird, a sign that life is moving on. People are born and people die, so simple but something we so rarely think about, even as a midwifery student surrounded by birth all the time.
My life is entering another phase; my Opa was shaved by my family members at the dinner table. It was quite funny and sentimental but my Opa, the German pilot from World War 2, who went into a Russian battlefield with hundreds of men and came out as one of 9 with some metal prizes sent into his ass, prisoner of war survivor, up at 6am to do his exercises and shovel the driveway in a blizzard up until recently, is now frail and old. He recently had a stroke and is loosing much of his function and strength. He is still the sweet, strong Opa that I love, actually cuter now in his helplessness but it was strange seeing him in his helplessness. My tante Monica was cutting his crazy white hair, my dad shaving his face and my Unkle Jens holding the plug for the razor in the wall. Recently we have been looking at retirement homes because he is becoming too much for my Oma to care for. It is weird, a sign that life is moving on. People are born and people die, so simple but something we so rarely think about, even as a midwifery student surrounded by birth all the time.
Ouch, my soul hurts
Right now, supposed to be studying but I am relaxing on this Saturday evening with my brothers and Bonnie (Brandon's girlfriend). We just watched Fast Food Nation and my soul is disturbed. I already am a vegetarian thank god but I really need to stop buying leather and be quite vigilante about other things like gelatin and cosmetics because I really want nothing to do with slaughterhouses. How have humans become so demoralized or is this just the way we are? We have always killed one another and killed animals but when have what we killed become dehumanized, reduced to objects and killed in a mechanized, sterilized way so that our own consciousness fails to be involved. This movie is meant to disturb and to "enlighten" the viewer on a variety of issues; eg: that other people whom were born into different circumstances are forced to work jobs that endanger their lives and health without any insurance. Why do we live like this? Why is this the easier, more advanced way? This quote is meant to be ironic but Jesus is rolling in his grave. All the goddesses of all spiritual paths moan and lament. We are so cruel to one another.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Dress Decision and it is clearly blowing in the wind....
Hello,
Can you help me decide? My cousin is having a black tie optional wedding, should I go all out and wear my grandma's Vintage Christian Dior dress circa 1960s or maybe save it for the day I need a fancy shpancy dress?
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Catching up
I forgot to blog about two births before my weekend off but you know what, I didn't forget. They were harder; in different ways. One, the woman was high maintenance and bitchy and took labour out on us instead of her husband like one is supposed to. The second, couldn't push her baby out because she was exhausted and couldn't feel due to an epidural. Sigh.
I don't feel well today but here are some snippets of interest.
My cat Gussy died. A while ago actually but I failed to blog about it. I love him and he was a good cat. He is sitting in a box in our freezer until it is warm enough to bury him in the woods in our backyard. But please, don't be detoured from eating BBQ at our house.
I booked a flight to Paris. Yea, for my last summer I am gonna do the cliche Euro trip but I am only going for a couple of weeks with Katie my old housemate. I will be focussing on France and Germany and maybe make some jaunts to other places too.
That's me right now :)
I don't feel well today but here are some snippets of interest.
My cat Gussy died. A while ago actually but I failed to blog about it. I love him and he was a good cat. He is sitting in a box in our freezer until it is warm enough to bury him in the woods in our backyard. But please, don't be detoured from eating BBQ at our house.
I booked a flight to Paris. Yea, for my last summer I am gonna do the cliche Euro trip but I am only going for a couple of weeks with Katie my old housemate. I will be focussing on France and Germany and maybe make some jaunts to other places too.
That's me right now :)
Friday, March 02, 2007
Blizzards!!!!!!!!!
I caught another baby!!! This time I pretty much did it on my own.
So, I get called to a birth in Cobourg around 4. The hospital is 93 km from my house and perhaps you are familiar with yesterdays weather. Well, in total, the drive took me about1 hr 45 min. On the country highways my speed averaged 35km (normally 100kph on a nice day). It was the kinda drive where you can't tell the road from the sky and you pray to god you don't drive into the ditch. Then the 401. I thought this part would be nicer, more cars, more snow mushed out of the way but no. More cars yes, but the fallen snow had been sealed by frozen rain so snow/ice was not moving and actually provided a lot of resistance against my tires. I had little traction, no tracks to follow, could not see the lines, could not maintain control of my car going faster than 60kph so I went nice and slow but did big 18 wheeler trucks like that? Of course not, they would pass me and it felt like they were inches away from me and as they did I would just swear to the power of a million. I was so scared and could you imagine if I didn't have nice snow tires?
Ok, so I made it there. I didn't even care if I had missed her birth but fortunately I hadn't.
She laboured beautifully, breathed deeply, didn't mind me bugging her to listen to baby's heart every 15 minutes. Her husband had brought a laptop so we all together watched episodes of HOUSE. I provided her some labour support but she didn't really need it. She had an IV so I kept replacing bags and I inserted gravol IV for her nausea and vomiting. I drew up some other drugs and lucky me, cut myself on the nice glass vials the oxytocin comes in (we have to snap glass tops off). Un-opened alcohol swabs work well as a sheild but I was neglectful of my thumb and didn't use one.
So, around 10:40 she was ready to push. I had already set up the instruments in a sterile field and put my gloves on. I assumed position, providing a little resistance against the baby's head as she was pushed out. This helps minimize tears of the perineal tissue. Head was born, checked for cord around neck. Shoulders born nicely, I guided baby out and but on mom's tummy where she soon started crying. I helped stimulate to get her breathing and crying. I clamped and cut the cord and delivered the placenta with the help of my preceptor guiding how much force to put on the cord. I did other bits and pieces too. I did the newborn exam all by myself with supervision and gave babe her vitamin K shot and eye ointment.
I am really happy that regardless of little opportunities in terms of numbers, I have experienced a sharp learning curve and at every birth and clinic day I seem to be doing more and more and I love it. Things don't scare me anymore, I am just ready. I have yet to do a PAP and those are hard to get opportunities to do. I mean, who wants to be someone's first PAP? In clinic now I am pretty much conducting visits, I have drawn blood again, but no more opps. for vag. exams. It will come. Just letting you know that I am happy, loving it (when I am actually working at it rather than waiting to be paged) and my thumb is just a little sore.
Take care everyone and see you at the Freeway a week from Sunday!
So, I get called to a birth in Cobourg around 4. The hospital is 93 km from my house and perhaps you are familiar with yesterdays weather. Well, in total, the drive took me about1 hr 45 min. On the country highways my speed averaged 35km (normally 100kph on a nice day). It was the kinda drive where you can't tell the road from the sky and you pray to god you don't drive into the ditch. Then the 401. I thought this part would be nicer, more cars, more snow mushed out of the way but no. More cars yes, but the fallen snow had been sealed by frozen rain so snow/ice was not moving and actually provided a lot of resistance against my tires. I had little traction, no tracks to follow, could not see the lines, could not maintain control of my car going faster than 60kph so I went nice and slow but did big 18 wheeler trucks like that? Of course not, they would pass me and it felt like they were inches away from me and as they did I would just swear to the power of a million. I was so scared and could you imagine if I didn't have nice snow tires?
Ok, so I made it there. I didn't even care if I had missed her birth but fortunately I hadn't.
She laboured beautifully, breathed deeply, didn't mind me bugging her to listen to baby's heart every 15 minutes. Her husband had brought a laptop so we all together watched episodes of HOUSE. I provided her some labour support but she didn't really need it. She had an IV so I kept replacing bags and I inserted gravol IV for her nausea and vomiting. I drew up some other drugs and lucky me, cut myself on the nice glass vials the oxytocin comes in (we have to snap glass tops off). Un-opened alcohol swabs work well as a sheild but I was neglectful of my thumb and didn't use one.
So, around 10:40 she was ready to push. I had already set up the instruments in a sterile field and put my gloves on. I assumed position, providing a little resistance against the baby's head as she was pushed out. This helps minimize tears of the perineal tissue. Head was born, checked for cord around neck. Shoulders born nicely, I guided baby out and but on mom's tummy where she soon started crying. I helped stimulate to get her breathing and crying. I clamped and cut the cord and delivered the placenta with the help of my preceptor guiding how much force to put on the cord. I did other bits and pieces too. I did the newborn exam all by myself with supervision and gave babe her vitamin K shot and eye ointment.
I am really happy that regardless of little opportunities in terms of numbers, I have experienced a sharp learning curve and at every birth and clinic day I seem to be doing more and more and I love it. Things don't scare me anymore, I am just ready. I have yet to do a PAP and those are hard to get opportunities to do. I mean, who wants to be someone's first PAP? In clinic now I am pretty much conducting visits, I have drawn blood again, but no more opps. for vag. exams. It will come. Just letting you know that I am happy, loving it (when I am actually working at it rather than waiting to be paged) and my thumb is just a little sore.
Take care everyone and see you at the Freeway a week from Sunday!
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Who wants to go out?
Hi!
i will be in Hamilton march 9th-11th.
Who would like to go out for beer, yes beer, oh how i miss you!!!! Saturday night?????
i will be in Hamilton march 9th-11th.
Who would like to go out for beer, yes beer, oh how i miss you!!!! Saturday night?????
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Just saying hi
I just wanted to say I miss everyone, especially The Freeway but I will see you all soon. I hope to take a weekend off after my midterm (march 9th) so I hope I will get to see everyone Sunday night! :)
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Baby catching
I am too tired to explain further, but I finally did get paged. 2 births back to back, up for 30 hours, First birth, laboured at home, she wanted a home birth but the baby changed positions so that her back was to mom's back and labour failed to progress. We transfered to hospital where we had a consult and went to section. She was relieved after having laboured for 26 hours. Baby girl so cute!. What did I do? Took vitals, listened to fetal heart, provided encouragement, watched section, gave breastfeeding support, did newborn exam and gave baby her vitamin K injection and eye ointment.
As soon as we were finishing up there, my preceptor got called and another client's water had broke. We flew to her house, examined her, took vitals, listened to baby and her contractions were very quick and we soon went to hospital. She has a whole legion of family and support. This one was crazy because it was so fast. She needed nitrous oxide for pain relief o i had to grab the tanks, I grabbed ones that were almost empty, shit! Mom wanted me to turn them on, huh? how do i do that? ugh, such a spaz. Other things I did, held mom's leg in hip while doing my first 4-handed catch!!!!!!!! Got splashed with amniotic fluid for the first time, helped deliver placenta by gently pulling on cord. Did newborn exam and gave baby vitamin K and eye ointment. Drew some of mom's blood for cord blood banking and all in all, I'd say it was a good 30 hour long day of learning for me.
I need pizza
As soon as we were finishing up there, my preceptor got called and another client's water had broke. We flew to her house, examined her, took vitals, listened to baby and her contractions were very quick and we soon went to hospital. She has a whole legion of family and support. This one was crazy because it was so fast. She needed nitrous oxide for pain relief o i had to grab the tanks, I grabbed ones that were almost empty, shit! Mom wanted me to turn them on, huh? how do i do that? ugh, such a spaz. Other things I did, held mom's leg in hip while doing my first 4-handed catch!!!!!!!! Got splashed with amniotic fluid for the first time, helped deliver placenta by gently pulling on cord. Did newborn exam and gave baby vitamin K and eye ointment. Drew some of mom's blood for cord blood banking and all in all, I'd say it was a good 30 hour long day of learning for me.
I need pizza
Friday, February 16, 2007
Paging Kaelyn....
Hi!
I am waiting to be paged right now, I have been ALL DAY! One of my clients is in early labour and I will be called again when she gets into more active labour, ie: water breaks, contractions closer together.
So my day of waiting
9-12, had tutorial, not really allowed to leave but for births we technically can but I wasn't paged then.
Hmmm, lunch. should I cook or have philly? no I had chii, quick, did I have time to eat it? Yes.
Hmm. Nap.... no page
Hmmm. Tea, you got it, no page.
I kinda need a shower, should I. I bet as soon as I get in I will get paged, oh hell, let's go for it.
Showered.... yea, I showered!
Hmmm. vaccuummig? Will I hear the page when I do that? Well, who knows, cause I didn't get paged.
And now I blog, will I get paged, well I will post and let you know :)
I am waiting to be paged right now, I have been ALL DAY! One of my clients is in early labour and I will be called again when she gets into more active labour, ie: water breaks, contractions closer together.
So my day of waiting
9-12, had tutorial, not really allowed to leave but for births we technically can but I wasn't paged then.
Hmmm, lunch. should I cook or have philly? no I had chii, quick, did I have time to eat it? Yes.
Hmm. Nap.... no page
Hmmm. Tea, you got it, no page.
I kinda need a shower, should I. I bet as soon as I get in I will get paged, oh hell, let's go for it.
Showered.... yea, I showered!
Hmmm. vaccuummig? Will I hear the page when I do that? Well, who knows, cause I didn't get paged.
And now I blog, will I get paged, well I will post and let you know :)
Saturday, February 10, 2007
numbers and sliding
Hi guys,
no new births
clinic practice though
I am worried about my numbers
We are supposed to observe/participate in a minimum of 12 births and I only have 10 women due until the end of my placement. Now I have to try and extend it by a couple of weeks and I will still only get 12 and that is if I do not miss a single birth which is very possible: we have to take 36 hours off prior to our midterm, 72 hours off prior to our final, 9 days off total, and every Friday morning off for class, um... hello? Why is this my problem now, I shouldn't have to worry about this at all yet now I have to write a request for an extension and hello, extend??????? Which is fine but what if it weren't, what if I had children or vacations to go on, what if I had a life????? (Adrian, I didn't forget about you!!!!)
Anyways, sliding..... yes I have sliding numbers but this thursday, a beautiful clear day, I hit black ice on one of our lovely country roads. I majorly fish-tail, 180 and slam my beautiful new car into a snowbank on the opposite side. I was burried and the underbelly was packed with snow. A total of 2 cars out of maybe 50 pulled over to help me and check up on me. I was fine, I got a tow. I am fine, car is fine, really, no scratches as far as I can see, maybe Yaris's are equipped with angels. I was lucky no cars were in the opposite lane at the time because there so could have been. I wasn't even speeding so be careful in snow drift land!!!!! I immediately ordered snow tires and since have had 2 of the 4 installed by my brother, yea!!!!!!!!!
Silver lining? I am not too down, but I do have a little knot in my tummy regarding my numbers, I worry a lot about my own work and performance and even though this is out of my control, it feels like it is my responsibility; now I have to think of solutions, I have to be assertive to my preceptor, I have to write an official request for extension. Hopefully my next few births will put my mind back in the right place, I have due dates of Feb 20, 26, 28 and March 2 and then a little while to my next wave. Also, any minute now I will get a call from Adrian asking me to pick him up from Whitby or Oshawa Go station so yea!!!!!!!! I will get lots of hugs and kisses and feel a lot better :)
no new births
clinic practice though
I am worried about my numbers
We are supposed to observe/participate in a minimum of 12 births and I only have 10 women due until the end of my placement. Now I have to try and extend it by a couple of weeks and I will still only get 12 and that is if I do not miss a single birth which is very possible: we have to take 36 hours off prior to our midterm, 72 hours off prior to our final, 9 days off total, and every Friday morning off for class, um... hello? Why is this my problem now, I shouldn't have to worry about this at all yet now I have to write a request for an extension and hello, extend??????? Which is fine but what if it weren't, what if I had children or vacations to go on, what if I had a life????? (Adrian, I didn't forget about you!!!!)
Anyways, sliding..... yes I have sliding numbers but this thursday, a beautiful clear day, I hit black ice on one of our lovely country roads. I majorly fish-tail, 180 and slam my beautiful new car into a snowbank on the opposite side. I was burried and the underbelly was packed with snow. A total of 2 cars out of maybe 50 pulled over to help me and check up on me. I was fine, I got a tow. I am fine, car is fine, really, no scratches as far as I can see, maybe Yaris's are equipped with angels. I was lucky no cars were in the opposite lane at the time because there so could have been. I wasn't even speeding so be careful in snow drift land!!!!! I immediately ordered snow tires and since have had 2 of the 4 installed by my brother, yea!!!!!!!!!
Silver lining? I am not too down, but I do have a little knot in my tummy regarding my numbers, I worry a lot about my own work and performance and even though this is out of my control, it feels like it is my responsibility; now I have to think of solutions, I have to be assertive to my preceptor, I have to write an official request for extension. Hopefully my next few births will put my mind back in the right place, I have due dates of Feb 20, 26, 28 and March 2 and then a little while to my next wave. Also, any minute now I will get a call from Adrian asking me to pick him up from Whitby or Oshawa Go station so yea!!!!!!!! I will get lots of hugs and kisses and feel a lot better :)
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Babies!!!!!!!
Congrats Jordan and Jill!!!!
Also on Febuary 1st, I saw my first vaginal birth
Called 6:30 am (thanks for letting me get a full night's sleep :) )
Drive over
Beautiful homebirth
Partner so supportive I almost cried just watching him support her
I also supported mom with back rubs and hugs and words of encouragement.
Listened to baby's heart several times
Took vitals
Supported mom's leg and watched crowning and birth
Helped stimulate baby when born (mom and primary midwife caught baby)
Cried when head then shoulders born
Helped assess newborn (aka learning how to do it)
Drew vitamin K shot.... uh... not quite ready to do it.... next time
Lost for words, it is amazing, I will never forget this
I have so much to learn but can't wait to do it again
Scared and excited
Also on Febuary 1st, I saw my first vaginal birth
Called 6:30 am (thanks for letting me get a full night's sleep :) )
Drive over
Beautiful homebirth
Partner so supportive I almost cried just watching him support her
I also supported mom with back rubs and hugs and words of encouragement.
Listened to baby's heart several times
Took vitals
Supported mom's leg and watched crowning and birth
Helped stimulate baby when born (mom and primary midwife caught baby)
Cried when head then shoulders born
Helped assess newborn (aka learning how to do it)
Drew vitamin K shot.... uh... not quite ready to do it.... next time
Lost for words, it is amazing, I will never forget this
I have so much to learn but can't wait to do it again
Scared and excited
Monday, January 29, 2007
No sweat
Moved home
First day, clinic
Commute and scrap ice off car
Hospital orientation and ID badges
Meet midwives
Sit in on two prenatal appointments
Feel (palpate) their bellies, feeling where the babies are sitting
Listen to fetal heart rate with doppler
Measure fundal height (how big the belly is)
Measure blood pressure
One of the women I am following is due last Friday, anticipating the beep of the pager
So excited
Back sore from sitting and reading lots
So excited
So overwhelmed
But who cares, so excited
Not nervous, I was relaxed
First day, clinic
Commute and scrap ice off car
Hospital orientation and ID badges
Meet midwives
Sit in on two prenatal appointments
Feel (palpate) their bellies, feeling where the babies are sitting
Listen to fetal heart rate with doppler
Measure fundal height (how big the belly is)
Measure blood pressure
One of the women I am following is due last Friday, anticipating the beep of the pager
So excited
Back sore from sitting and reading lots
So excited
So overwhelmed
But who cares, so excited
Not nervous, I was relaxed
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Hospitals
I am going crazy right now. I don't know what I have done with my most recent immunization record and I start clinic Monday. I just had all my records straightened out, I am going crazy because I feel I have enough to do, besides, nothing gets under my skin more than doing bureaucratic procedures no matter how logical or purposeful they are.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Please...
Please everyone send good thoughts and prayers to those you imagine to be closest to me... I need to know they are taken care of. Thanks :)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The Real World
When I came into the cafe on Friday, Rita and I had a nice hug and conversation. She was disappointed that I was sick and wished me better.
In midwifery intensive 1, we spend our conversations bickering about exam answers and trouble contacting our preceptors and then go home to do readings. We are immersed and almost swallowed by a world that is so exclusive and isolated. Rita, thanks for grounding me and helping me interact with the real world so to speak.
In midwifery intensive 1, we spend our conversations bickering about exam answers and trouble contacting our preceptors and then go home to do readings. We are immersed and almost swallowed by a world that is so exclusive and isolated. Rita, thanks for grounding me and helping me interact with the real world so to speak.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Ugh..... CAMP
It continues. I am sick. It was inevitable. Over 20 people crammed into a small room all day, interacting, talking, etc. I have learned new skills and I am very excited but I am so tired and so sick of the 8:30-5 thing. How do you all do it all the time? (those that work that regimen?). Hopefully by Monday I will be all better and my spirits will be lifted but as of right now, I am sick of learning, just toooooooooooo tired.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
CAMP
I feel like I am at camp. My life is very structured with a routine of Monday-Friday, 8:30-5pm. I am in the Midwifery 1 Intensive and I am loving it. Tomorrow will be day 3. I spend my days with 19 other women and a handful of talented, inspiring midwives who impart their skills and wisdom to us. Yesterday we practiced initial interviews and health histories and informed choice discussion. Today we learned how to draw blood and I did it twice!!!!!! It feels like butter, the initial insertion of the needle, yes the superficial skin and the vein feel like butter (the level of resistance). We also learned how to do IM and SC injections (on oranges) (intramuscular and subcutaneous). And, we learned how to set up an IV and how to injected meds into the IV unit.
Very excited. So far so good! Love it, happy, I am happy!
Very excited. So far so good! Love it, happy, I am happy!
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