Birth Observe # 3

     The week of February 7th, I was in Gainesville all week for my Florida Law and Rule workshop. One of my midwives clients was in her window to have a baby and I was concerned that I would be stuck in Gainesville for her birth. Her birth would be my first HBAC (home birth after cesarean) and I really didn't want to miss it.
     On Tuesday around 8pm, my midwife called me to let me know that her mama was in labor. The midwife informed me that she was on her way to their house. She was going to check her and then let me know the status. Around 10pm, the midwife called me back to let me know that she was about 4cm's. The midwife knew that I really wanted to make this birth but she also knew how important it was that I not miss school. I told her if she could use me I'd come for the labor, even if I missed the birth. So around 10:30pm I headed back toward Tampa to meet her at the birth.
    Everything went so perfectly. My first HBAC was born in the water at 8:19am on 2/8/2011 weighing just over 10 pounds. 

Birth Observe #2

     On Thursday I went on prenatals with my midwife. We received a call around 9am that we had a mom in labor. Her partner told us that he would give us a ring when they were ready for us. We went about our day and saw four beautiful mama's. Our day seemed short, we were back in Saint Pete around 2pm. Still no call from our laboring family so we went to lunch.
     After lunch I said my goodbyes to my midwife and went to meet up with my doula friend. We had a meeting with a new doula client. I had originally text her that I'd probably not be able to make it because of the birth but I made it, which was nice.After our meeting with the new doula client, my midwife called me to tell me that she had stopped by to check the mama who was around 2cm, 70% effaced, 0 station. I headed home and waited for the call.
     Around 10:30 pm the midwife called me to let me know that it was baby time. I got ready and headed to the house for the birth. When we got there the partner and their daughter came outside to tell us that it was time, she was feeling ready to push! As soon as we got inside I set up the O2 tanks and had all the midwives supplies ready for the birth. I always have towels, baby hat, stethoscope, and bulb syringe at arms length because soon as the baby is born those are the things the midwife needs immediately postpartum.
     The beautiful baby girl was born in water at 11:46pm on 2/4/2011. My second birth as a student midwife!

Auscultating Lung Sounds

     At school on Thursday we spent four hours in Health Care Skill learning to auscultate lung sounds and how to identify irregularities. There are a lot of great websites that you can utilize to hear lung sound anomalies that you might not encounter in clinic. 
     During class, my teacher made a good point. It's not necessarily the most important thing to diagnose what you're hearing as it is to understand that what you're hearing is abnormal. She also highlighted that irregularities in lung and heart sounds are often normal variations, benign and/or transient. Never underestimate the value of a second opinion, she reminded us. Armed with my new skills, I headed home to get ready for clinic on Thursday with my midwife.
    Around midnight I awoke to my 14 year old dog-daughter panting in bed. I retrieved my stethoscope and listened to her heart and lungs. Tabitha has been very sickly the last couple of years so anytime she seems unwell I always worry that this could be the beginning of the end.
     I'm no expert on canine anatomy or pathology but from what I learned in class I diagnosed her with tachypnea. I spent about 15 minutes petting her and listening for changes, worried that she was headed for the worst. I contemplated taking her to the emergency vet but decided to wake up my mom for some motherly advice. 
     "Mom!!! Wake up, I think Tabitha is dying!!!" I gave my mom report about her rapid breathing and fast heart rate. When my mom came in to check on her she immediately knew what was wrong. My room had gotten too hot and Tabitha was panting to cool off! What relief!
     It's amazing how this little life lesson reinforced what my teacher said in class. Always understand that irregularities may be benign and never underestimate the value of a second opinion! Lesson learned!