Almost halfway done!

I love that I can say that I am just about halfway done with my clinical hours and number of births!  I have definitely had more than 40 of the required number of labor managements, just need to get more births in too.  Unfortunately, not every baby decides that it's time to arrive earthside when I am on duty with my preceptor.  But that's ok -- baby comes when it's time for baby to arrive.  No, I am not the "hurry up" and augment the labor type of student midwife, nor is my preceptor.  We like to really let mother nature do what she does best.  Such a nice breath of fresh air to have women labor and give birth on their own time schedules, not "our" time schedules.

My hands are itching to catch some more babies soon.  Recently at work, I was the RN at a birth, and I really, really, really wanted to get my hands in there to help catch the baby!  Do you know how hard it is to have to reign yourself in, and not reach down to help catch?  Ohhh, this babycatching sure is in my blood, my heart, and my soul.

Oh!  I also love it when mom reaches down to help catch her own baby at her birth.  So totally awesome!!!!  I haven't had a dad help catch their own baby yet in clinicals, but I'm willing to bet that my preceptor would be open to that if a dad was interested.  I've been at a few births as the RN where the midwife had dad help to catch.  So amazing and tear-producing to see a new dad helping to bring his newborn into the world.

Alright, I'm getting all teary eyed just thinking about how beautiful birth can be.  Good night folks!

First day in the office as an SNM

I know you are all waiting to hear about how the clinicals are going for me.  Off to a great start!  I've caught one baby so far, and have done one labor management.  For my first office day, I had several new OB clients, and almost a dozen return prenatal appointments.  Weaved in there were several things referred to as "common health problems", but for the sake of HIPPA, I will not go into detail here.  Needless to say, these were fairly common health concerns, but they also needed addressed for women at their visits.

I have several complete physical exams, complete with pelvic exams and breast exams under my belt.  Those seem to have come fairly easy!  Luckily, everyone was pretty straightforward and "easy" to examine, but very minimal variations.

Checking a cervix: piece of cake.  Then again, I have been doing that very same thing for well over ten years now.

I also had an NST to review (also, a piece of cake, I can do those in my sleep).

All in all, a very good start to my clinical hours and experiences as a student nurse midwife.  I have an AWESOME preceptor, who I just LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  She is so kind, gentle, understanding, and oh so smart.

My hospital site is very mother-baby friendly.  A truly amazing place to be, and to learn how to be a true midwife.  The practice is a very laid back, flexible practice, and I am eternally grateful for my preceptor to agree to take me on for at least the next six months.