babies | Nursing Student Chronicles

Well, my L&D rotation is over.

I have to say, I really enjoyed it! Who knew?! I was not expecting that. It got slow at times, but once the pushing got started, it was a fast-paced environment, good turnaround of the patients, AND you got to build a rapport with them. Everything I love!

I hadn’t realized how much the bedside nurse does. The MD or midwife really only came in after the head was on its way out. They were there to pop the baby out, deliver the placenta, and repair the perineum. That’s it. All the baby care, the comfort, the assistance with labor, being a labor coach, doing the vaginal checks, being there for the pushing which ranges from 10 minutes to 3 hours (a patient yesterday pushed for 2.5 hours!)…that’s all done by the nurse.

I really liked the continuous monitoring (q30min for baby, q1h vitals for mom) and the fact that there is so much to keep track of. Plus, there is a mini-OR on the unit for the C-sections. How cool is that! One of the nurses today was bedside all morning and then went and was the scrub nurse for the C-section. Very cool.

And it’s exciting. Everyone has a different story and a different history. Bringing new life into the world is always exciting. It’s an infectiously happy environment. AND I liked the nurses there. They are good at what they do and they were willing to teach, which is important. It was so awesome!

Granted, I had an intimidating instructor, but it was still a great experience overall.

Maybe I’ll be in purple scrubs after this??

I’ve Gotta Fever

I’ve gotta make a confession or two here.

See, I’ve never been the type of girl who grew up planning out baby names or knowing exactly what my future kids would look like. I didn’t even know if I would want that many kids in the future! And if I did, it would be a long, long ways away.

But then I entered N-3000…the mother and baby semester.

And now, babies are occupying my mind 6 days a week. Four at school and two at work on Fridays and Saturdays.

I’m not the only one. I’ve been asking around in clincals. Other girls in my class are coming down with the same thing.

BABY FEVER.

Oh yes. It’s a-raging.

If you recall, the first three weeks terrified me and I thought I would never have a baby. Why? Giant cervixes, that’s why. Not a big pain person, ya know? But now, the further along we get, I keep thinking about how cute and amazing babies and birth are. All sorts of reasons- most of which I don’t want to go into because, well, I’m not sure how I feel baring that whole part of myself online.

Let’s just sum it up with, I keep thinking about babies. Baby clothes, baby names…it’s starting to freak me out.

Nevermind the fact that I’ve been married two years now and everyone is asking when the babies are going to start coming.

Don’t be mistaken though. I don’t want babies any time soon. I have school to get through! Gotta have some baby money saved up.

But still. Snuggling a newborn is pretty awesome.

Just saying.

Did anyone else feel baby crazy in the mom and baby semesters?

Love,

Laney

It’s a Baby!

So, as I already mentioned, I got see a real live birth yesterday. And it was amazing.

I got to the floor, got assigned my patient and everything.

I went in and mom and dad were in there a-laboring away.

Did my care, assessments, the whole nine yards.

It was really interesting to see the process of a couple in labor. It was so beautiful and intimate. I really, for the first time, understood why everyone is always going on about how beautiful labor is and the joys/miracle of birth. I had to thank them for letting me be a part of their experience.

All the deliveries that occurred while my clinical group was on the floor were au natural. It inspired me to [try] to do the same whenever that time may come in the far, far future.

So, we were supposed to be there from 8-4 and I was anxiously counting the cm until the next stage where the pushing began. I really wanted to see this birth.

I won’t go into much more detail because, after all, it isn’t my story to tell in this case. But I will say that being an impromptu labor coach and being present for the birth of a baby was the most amazing thing.

Afterwards, I was able to do baby care including antibiotic eyedrops, Vitamin K injection, swaddling, weight, diaper, hat, footprints, namebands, and cord care. AWESOME. I even got to sign my name on the baby card as the delivery care nurse (and my instructor signed behind me), which was pretty exciting.

Birth is a beautiful thing.

Y’all, I saw a live birth.

And it was amazing.

I ended up staying two hours past my clinical rotation was over, (8-6 instead of leaving at 4) but it was oh-so worth it.

My legs hate me though. I stood at the bedside for an hour and a half to help hold mom’s leg while she pushed. Dad was on the other side.

“It’s okay legs, you got to see something amazing and beautiful. You helped with a life come into the world”, I told my legs.

“Don’t care”, my legs replied. “We aren’t friends tonight.”

So my legs and I are hanging out in bed and I’m about to type up my weekly evaluation AND my 250 word essay for a summer externship program.

I promise to elaborate on everything over the weekend including the birth, the baby care, and the PNA program.

Hope you guys had a lovely week!

Love,

Laney

Postpartum Follow-up

So, I haven’t posted for a few days and I’ve been feeling the withdrawals! How neglectful!

This week, on Wednesday and Thursday to be specific, I finished my last two shifts on Postpartum. Which actually weren’t terrible.

The exciting thing is that on Thursday, I had 3 patients for the first time and I felt super cool. I actually felt busy and nurse-like.

Patient 1:

Up moment- I helped her pick out a middle name and got to hold her baby while she was talking with the Lactation Consultant. He had the nicest head of hair! Thick curls all over and so soft. Holding him made me want a baby. And then I snapped back to reality.

Down moment- Baby Daddy came in and was very curt with her. She asked him if he needed help buckling the baby into the car seat and he looked at her saying “This isn’t my first kid.” She looked like she had been slapped in the face because this was her first child.

Patient 2:

AWESOME moment- This woman told me (and the lactation nurse) that I was awesome and just need to keep up my confidence because she could tell that I was going to be a really good nurse. She said some students come in and you can tell that they are students whereas I sounded like I knew what I was talking about. Little did she know that I felt like I was merely faking it until I made it and was still nervous. That was just the boost I needed to hear that day.

Goodbye postpartum!! Never again!!!

Love,

Laney

Your Cervix Is How Huge?

Before I begin, I’d like to say that I got a 99 on my group project. Heck yes! Now, check out our nifty cervical dilation board that got passed around in class the other day. Note: I got a couple of glances for taking a picture of it at my desk. Oh well.

Not gonna lie though- this class is scaring the bejeezus out of me about birthing babies.
I mean, look at that big ol’ circle!! And that’s only 8 cm…you need to get to TEN CM to pop that baby out.

How can something get so wide between your legs?!??! Not to be crude. But really.

My husband wants 4 or 5 kids since he comes from a big family and has 4 brothers of his own.
“That’s fine!!” says I pre-baby-semester.
Then school started and I see all of this craziness.
“Let’s start with one and see where life takes us” says the me in the present.

He’s not too happy about that, but I told him when babies start popping out between his legs, then he can decide.

Love,
Laney