Mom & Babe...

For one of my clinical sessions I get to go to the mom and babe unit. For those of you who don't know that is... well I will explain. It is the postpartum unit, which is in lame man terms- where mom and baby go after delivery.

On a regular medical/surgical floor a head to toe assessment is required on every patient every shift change. On the mom and babe unit another assessment is added called BUBBLE: breast, uterus, bladder, bowel, lochia (bleeding), and episotomy (if they tear or are cut by the MD). I basically have to ask questions related to these with the exception of the uterus because I have to palpate it. You didn't know that the uterus can be felt did ya? well it can. The top portion of the uterus is called the fundus and it can be palpated during pregnancy once the uterus becomes an abdominal organ instead of a pelvic one. (P.S. that is how the measure growth during pregnancy, from top of the symphis pubic to the fundus... so when you hear people saying I measure such and such cm... that is what they are talking about). Usually after birth the fundus is above the umbilicus (belly button) all I have to do is massage it in a circular pattern, which causes the uterus to constrict and shrink back down to size. The fundus is either firm or boggi. IT NEEDS TO BE FIRM!!! Any questions?

If I could spend my whole clinical with the babies I would. I love them, they are just so cute. Every baby before discharge has to have a heel stick test. Of course babies cry during this but they can be easily distracted by Sweet Toot. Sugar!!! When they cry, a few drops can be placed in their mouth and suddenly the crying stops. It's kind of fun to watch how suddenly the switch in mood occurs. Before discharge babies are given their first Hep B vaccine if the parents consent to it. Because babies are small this shot is given in the vastus lateralis (muscle on the leg). i have given three of these to babies. After I finished giving the shot I bend the leg and tickle his or her feet or I drop Sweet Toot in the mouth. The mood changes immediately. I love babies!!!

I have yet to see a baby born but hopefully I will get to go to labor and delivery soon.

Um...

Does anyone read this?

Well...

So this is kind of embarrassing to say but I can educate anyone about the human reproductive system and anything they would like to know about contraception. That is what I learned about last week in OB class. Which is a good thing because my roommate keeps asking me all sorts of questions about sex etc... like I would know stuff about that. She thinks I am an expert in everything medical. Which is not true!

My first clinical is Thursday in Labor and Delivery at the local hospital. It will be 12 hours long. Hopefully I will be able to understand whatever is thrown at me.

Well nothing else has happened thus far.

Here I go again...

Today is my last day of freedom till July 22, 2011.

School officially starts tomorrow and I am going to be a busy busy busy person. I will have time for school and school. Yep that is about it.

My schedule:

Monday:
1130-1230 - New Testament
1400-1500 - Microbiology
1515-1615 - Advanced Writing/Critical Think

Tuesday:
0700-1900 - Clinical

Wednesday:
0745 -0945 - Nursing 202
1015- 1115 - Nursing 205
1130 -1230 - New Testament
1400-1500 - Microbiology
1515- 1615- Advanced Writing/Critical Think

Thursday:
Not sure what is going on with this day ???

Friday:
0745-0945 - Nursing 203
1400-1500 - Microbiology
1515-1615 - Advanced Writing/ Critical Think

Doesn't my week sound like loads of FUN? I think not, however, this semester I am learning all about OB and Peds, which is what I want to work in so I am hoping that I actually like this semester nursing classes.

Well more to come on what I actually learn.