Tuesday, November 28, 2006

I spent Monday and Tuesday in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). It was boring, and kinda sad - except for when a new mom and dad came in and got to touch their babies, and the dad (a big BIG) man was so sweet.

We discussed something interesting in class yesterday that I didn't even know about. Apparently, Orthodox Jews wait longer before going to the hospital. I mean, I always new to wait as long as you can before you go, but apparently it's a Jewish thing... Italians will go at the first sign of labor. My teacher was saying that when she practiced as an L&D nurse she would look around and see who to care for first. She was like, "You know, if a woman's still smiling I knew that it wasn't such a rush. But if there was an orthodox Jewish woman, sitting there with a smile on her face like all is well, I knew this woman needs a room right away, she's gonna have a baby really soon."

One is not more right then the other - Jews would rather be relatively comfortable at home and be in and out of Labor and Delivery, whereas Italians would rather settle in to their L&D room. Who knew?

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Monday, November 20, 2006

Crocs Rocks

Today was spent in post partum. It was interesting, but didn't speak to me like L&D and the nursery. I mean, it was nice taking care of the mom, and all, but not nearly as exciting or as cute.

In other news, I got pink crocs, which I am TOTALLY obsessed with. For all those who don't own a pair, make the investment. They're kinda ugly, but they are the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever owned. I'm tempted to buy the boots too. And the scrub shoes. In every color. Buy crocs.

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Monday, November 13, 2006

Maternity Today

I spent today in the nursery, which was so much fun. I got to give a baby his first bath, and get him dressed and bundle him up. It was a real bonding experience.

Then I had my maternity test, which I aced. And after class, I was the last one in my room, and my teacher actually sat down in the desk next to me and talked. Just chatted, about stuff. We talked about Weight Watchers (We ended up in the same meeting) and about how much I'm loving maternity, and can't wait to do it. It was so great. I feel a little bad, because a lot of my class really dislikes her, because she's a tough cookie. She's very strict, and very hard, and has really high expectations, but I love her. I feel like she could be my friend, my mentor.

Then I had my psych test, which I barely studied for, but I'm pretty sure I did well. And then I cut the rest of class, because she wanted us to sit around for an hour before class, and I'm just sooo tired from studying.

Thats all for now. Layla tov.

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Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Another one

I saw another delivery today. It was very different from the first. I mean - the idea was the same, but this one had a little trouble getting out. And you know how you know the baby's okay from the cry? Well, he didn't cry for what felt like an eternity, but in real life was probably only a few seconds... but long enough that the mom was like, "why isn't my baby crying" and she was so scared, asking "Is my baby okay?" But, he was okay, and mommy and daddy were so sweet, and so happy (which was another difference from yesterday - yesterday there was no one with the new mom). It's scary down there in labor and delivery, but it's such a wonderful place to be.

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Monday, November 06, 2006

I just watched a baby being born

and it was unreal. I watched the birth of a gooey baby boy. When I got to Labor & Delivery she was 7 cm dilated (that was at 10:15) and at 11:45 she gave birth to a boy. It was totally crazy. She pushed out the head in, like, 4 pushes, and then the rest of the baby kinda just fell out. Like - they drs were like "Don't push" (because they were suctioning the baby) and he came out any way.

I didn't get to stay for the stiches afterwards, I had to leave, but I'm so glad I got to see it.

I can go on about the miracle of child birth. But everyone knows it. And I can't possibly put in to words the way it made me feel. This is what I want to do with my life. I hope to see many many more baby's born, and this was the first.

I wonder if this is something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Like, the details. Will I worry about the boy? His mother, who was bipolar, was obviously not very prepared - she had no one planned to pick her up from the hospital, and she didn't have a car seat that would be ready when she goes home. Who will this boy grow up to be? Will he develop normally? Will he grow to be a good guy? Will he be healthy?

I supposed I'll learn not to worry too much.

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