Placement
Some numbers for your amusement after 3 days of placement:
Number of nappy changes - 19
Number of babies caught - 0
Number of labours attended - 2
Number of women I (silently) cheered on while they said no to interventions they didn’t want - 1
Number of "social" c-sections I’ve seen in 3 days - 14 (on a 16-bed ward)
Number of CTGs I’ve done myself - 4
Number of obs I’ve taken - countless
Number of times I’ve worn scrubs - 1
Number of babies fed - 5
Number of epidurals I’ve seen inserted - 1
Number of catheters I’ve seen inserted - 2
Number of catheters I’ve taken out - 2
Number of times I’ve questioned whether I’m doing the right thing - 0
I won’t say it’s easy. It’s hard going. My placement is with a private hospital used to taking 2nd years who have way more of a clue than I do. I’d forgotten that uni really and truly doesn’t prepare you for the real world and in this case my skills set on Monday was minimal. I knew how to do a manual BP and temp and pulse but not drive the machine to do so automatically. I learnt quickly but it means being stressed while not knowing. I got offered a case load, whereas I really and truly was happy to muck in and do whatever under supervision. I am overwhelmed with all the things that go on around me and I can’t remember whether I’m coming or going.
It’s also hard going from a spiritual side of things. It’s hard to know what to say about it all. Maybe some sleep might help.
you’re gonna have to translate some of the Aus abreviations: CTG? Are Obs. Vitals?
“social” C-sections?
Yay!!! Cheering over here!
Comment by Louisa — May 31, 2007 @ 12:05 am
CTG - cardiotocogram
Obs. - vital signs, usually blood pressure (BP), pulse, temperature, respiration as well as a set of questions to check the woman’s wellbeing
Social c-section or induction - elective, before due date, for reasons other than maternal or foetal health
Comment by Emma — June 2, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
I love reading your blog.
I am hoping to get in to BMID at UniSA next year, so reading all about your studies and placement gives me a great idea of what i am in for.
Keep up the blogging. I am appalled at the rate of social C sections. If only some women really understood how easy it is to recover from a Vag birth. I was fine after about 8 hours (with my second).
Alex
Comment by Alex — June 2, 2007 @ 7:30 pm