Spring Semester 2011

Today was my last day of class for the Spring semester, woot woot! I'm so glad that it's over! I passed everything: anatomy and physiology II, Florida Law and Rule, Health Care Skills II, Practicum A, Female Sexuality and midwifery clinical. I turned in my clinical notebook today. I had a total of 6 births and 107 clinical hours.

 (Me and my fellow classmates during our fist birth circle!)

Clinical is so much fun. I've been getting to do all the prenatal measurements during the visits and I checked my first cervix on Monday. It felt like total much but the mom was 39 weeks so I assume that's normal and knowing what cervices should feel like will come with practice!

During this semester we had our first birth circle where we get together and share our birth and clinical experiences. It's nice to share your experiences with people that are in similar situations and can truly understand. Explaining shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage has less of an impact on the average friend than it does to my sister/brother midwife.

I am most looking forward to summer semester. We are finally taking our Pelvic Exam/Pelvimetry Workshop, reproductive anatomy, antepartum, diagnostic tests and a phlebotomy workshop. I cannot wait to start doing more clinical stuff and being more hands on with the mamas!

Also, here's a great video I love that teaches the Leopold's Maneuver to find the baby's position

Goals for the summer semester:

1. Post all of my births on my blog
2. Keep up to date on my paperwork for my clinical notebook
3. Pass all of my classes!

United Cerebral Palsy

"United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is a leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy. As one of the largest health nonprofits in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network."
From: UCP.org

This week I start my awesome new job as a doula at United Cerebral Palsy. I cannot believe that I've made it to this point in my maternity care career. Yesterday, when I talked on the phone with one of my best friends, she congratulated me on becoming a "professional doula." That's me! Jessica, professional doula! Friday I start at the clinic, I'm so excited!

UCP Mission Statement

The mission of United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay is to guide and assist families and individuals with any disability or other barriers to achieve their full potential, resulting in community inclusion and independence.

Vision Statement

United Cerebral Palsy of Tampa Bay will be the west central Florida provider of choice and the leading in community responsiveness to early intervention, developmental preschool and child care, therapy, family support, respite and employment programming.

The Second Annual USF Maternal Child Health Symposium

     Last year I attended Robbie Davis-Floyd's lecture at USF on the anthropology of childbirth during the First Annual Maternal Child Health (MCH) Symposium at USF. This year I also attended the symposium with keynote speaker Dr. Kendall-Tackett who is a researcher and author of several books including, "Breastfeeding Made Simple."

     I didn't make the first day of the sympoisum because I went on clinicals with my midwife and a fellow classmate. However, after clinicals we did make it to Birth the Play at USF. I'd heard a lot of great things about the play and was excited to go. Three of my fellow midwifery school classmates came too as well as my best friend (in real life), Sarah.

Me and Sarah at Birth the Play

     The MCH symposium was really great. The speakers talked about various topics including the effects of childhood sexual abuse on breastfeeding, fatigue and breastfeeding, fetal and infant sleep and post tramautic stress in "near-miss morbidity" (near death childbirth experiences). It was nice to hear experts in the field discuss in detail things I've learned while in midwifery school. I had a really great time and am looking forward to next years symposium.

 Me with fellow classmates: Jessica B. (center) and Shea

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!

Birth Observe #1

Image from: Attachments Catalog

Thursday, I went on two prenatals with my midwife. Both women are in their delivery window, 37 to 42 weeks gestational age (wga), and the grand mulipara has a history of going early (38 wga at most). For the mama that goes early we didn't even make a follow up appointment for her because we knew we'd be coming back any day now for her birth.

Around 9pm on Thursday night the midwife called me to let me know that our grand mulipara (5 or more births/paras) thinks that she's in labor. The midwife told me to hang tight. She was going to take a shower and call me back in an hour. At 11pm she called me again to let me know that she was on her way to check the mama. The mama recently thought she was in labor a few days prior and the midwife wanted to make sure that this was it before sending me on my way. At midnight my phone rings, "get here now, the baby will be born tonight!"

I get to the birth around 12:30am. The midwife lets me know what's going on and tells me that the mom is at 2cm. Shucks, I think to myself, I have to be at work at 8am I hope I don't miss my first birth as a student midwife.

During our prenatal visits the mama told us that she goes early and she goes fast. I was expecting fast but her labor/transition and birth were unbeliable. Around 12:40 am the mama was squirming in the birth tub as what appeared to be huge rushes washed over her. The midwife wanted to check her again so around 1am she did and she was 100% effaced and 8cm. A few more contractions and the mama had the urge push.

At 1:21 am on 1/21/2011 a beautiful baby girl was born. My first birth as a student midwife! From 2cm to birth in less than an hour! Amazing.