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.