Between working as an L&D nurse (one hospital), and doing clinicals (another hospital, plus the office locations), I am so busy! But, I am loving every minute of it! I learn something new each time I am in clinical. Haven't been able to add any more babies to my running tally (to the right), but I hope to change that in the next few days!
In the meanwhile, I have plenty of other things I'm working on:
-- Reflection for advanced women's health
-- Group project (two of us in the group this time) for advanced women's health
-- Getting started on the research portion of my antepartum case study, which is not due until next term, but I'm getting a jump start on it
-- Keeping my eye out for a good intrapartum case study project (also will be due next term)
-- Keeping my eye out for a good follow through patient for the postpartum/newborn journal assignment. This assignment requires following a mother baby couplet for up to 8 weeks postpartum. BIG assignment, lots of points, and must be done before I start the winter term in January.
-- Keeping track of each prenatal patient I see, so hopefully I will have (at some point!) five continuity patients to follow through from antepartum, to birth, to postpartum.
-- A side project in the early planning stages that I wish to present to my clinical site (the office). It's a patient education piece on nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, with a comprehensive teaching tool for non-pharmaceutical methods of relief. This is a major topic of discussion and education at the new prenatal appointments. I really feel that a clear, well written patient education handout would be prudent for the practice. Giving someone a verbal list of things to try, or writing it down on scrap paper, well, it just doesn't seem complete or professional enough in my mind. I'm grateful that my preceptor is big on handouts in her practice. Although, it seems that time used to run to the computer to print out ACNM Sharing with Women handouts, then running to the printer, then going back to the patient, seems very un-streamlined. I feel that a pre-made patient education handout (for many topics, not just this one) would be beneficial to the practice. Heck, while I'm at it, I may end up writing an entire "discomforts of pregnancy" booklet!
8 comments:
As a 10 week pregnant new mom I would ADORE it if my midwife's office had a medical handout on non-medicine alternatives to throwing up 24/7. I feel like google is my only option - other than picking their brain when I'm there - which they are great about - but I still would love to have something to take home!
Ditto on that - what a wonderful idea on the NVP sheet! I'd love to see it when you're done! That would be a wonderful resource for that practice's mothers.
I've often thought through all the great handouts that pregnant and postpartum women could benefit from. For example,the basics in nutrition and exercise guidelines (quite necessary with too many patients)and a list of great childbirth prep books and websites. Also, a "stress-reliever" handout which gives "permission" for the pregnant woman to reduce stress as much as possible. The handout would be for her partner and family as well! There are many other more medically- oriented handouts, too, like nausea and signs of pre-term labor, etc. Wouldn't it be great if every exam room had a wall-mounted thing that you could just choose which handouts and when for the patient you're with? Or a way to carry the basic handouts with you in a clipboard "box" type thing. You'll figure out how to work patient education into your exams. Ingenuity, resourcefulness - those things describe you!
I thought you might be interested in some information about Hyperemesis gravidarum. Just to help women know when too much vomiting is too much. I have had a close encounter with hyperemesis and medical professionals also need much more information about it. Hopefully the fact that I gave you this information will make a huge difference in some woman's life someday when you are able to assist her!
www.helpher.org
Thank you Anonymous for the link on HG.
I made a handout of "non-medical" relief options for my childbirth class clients. The Peggy O'mara pregnancy and birth book has lots and lots of good ideas.
I agree...you can spend a lot of time at the copier. I do for flyers for our patients.
This is where I wish providers would make use of electronic technology to send this stuff to folks who want it, in PDF, etc., so they could read it on their Kindles, phones, PCs, etc.
Save the paper for those who want it!
Wow! Sounds like you're juggling a lot right now. And you're still blogging. You go!!! :)
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