Good Experiences

There are many things that happen and I think, "Boy, I should write that down because I want to be able to remember that." But, rarely do I... My hubby is good... he has a journal... I don't.. I have one but it rarely gets written in and I am sparse about my posts here...

Like two weeks ago when I finally told my nursing supervisor about my plans to apply to graduate school for my masters in midwifery!! I was so nervous and felt like I would be disappointing her because of all of the training she poured into me fresh out of nursing school to become a fully functional L&D nurse... But, she was genuinely happy for me and truly excited for this opportunity! She said many wonderful things I wish I had written down... Like she said when she met me she knew I had great potential for things beyond a staff nurse... and that she was glad to have had a part of my training... And she just knew I would make a fantastic midwife! She was awesome....

My last night at work is another situation I hope I remember for a long time.... I was kind of in a slump emotionally when I got there... I hadn't slept well that day and was kind of off my A-game.. I was assigned an out-patient rule/out labor. Well, it turned out she was a keeper and was indeed in labor. My mood brightened after that because the expectant couple were super nice and the mother intended to labor actively without medications (My favorite type of patient!).

So, it was a lovely night... she progressed slow and steady... I was able to take my time and get her admission done, IV started, etc... Because she was not in a rush to get an epidural ASAP. She warned me that she "transitions and pushes quickly" so I made sure everything needed for delivery was ready by 6cm.

It was coming close to change of shift time and she was not delivered yet but was close to 8cm... Our unit was short staffed and the charge nurse was calling everyone to ask if they could come help - without any luck... So, having bonded with this lovely couple and feeling like she would deliver soon, I volunteered to stay past change of shift and finish out her labor and recovery.

That's when it got a little tricky. The lady's doctor was scheduled to do 2 back to back cesareans that morning and there I was sitting with a multip who "transitions quickly." I was a little nervous. The doctor checked in on us before and between the cesareans, but I was nervous as all heck. Not nervous particular about the possibility of attending a delivery without a doctor present but nervous about the politics of doing so.... Filling out an incident report...meeting with my supervisor... explaining why I was unable to ensure the Dr. made it in time...etc, etc... Plus, my patient was active during all of this... walking the hallways, etc... at 9cm, pausing and squatting, etc, etc... I almost felt the need to follow her around with some kellys and a cord clamp in my pocket.

I agreed to stay until a certain time and it was nearing that time and she hadn't delivered yet.... So much for "transitioning quickly".... I was then happy because she finally delivered after being stuck in transition for hours one half hour before I had to leave... It was wonderful... It was with my favorite doctor to work with and I was able to be with her from start to finish - at a natural medication free birth.... Something I usually don't get to do since giving up my doula practice to turn RN... I felt like I was in the good-old doula days again!!!

Then, after the delivery the doctor and I were talking and I confided in him that I was going to graduate school to become a CNM. He responded wonderfully as well. He said he used to work with 7 CNMs in another state years ago... and he would love to work with a CNM again but doubts that he would be able to in this area... I sadly agree.. But it was great to be able to talk about it... He said the next delivery I have with him where I've bonded with the patient and feel comfortable he wants me to gown and glove up and do the delivery with him as my guide. Pretty awesome, huh?