Almost done

1. What did you already know that is proving helpful in navigating this course/semester? Don’t restrict your answer to things learned in this course.

Does knowing the end is near count as navigating this course? It is almost like the end of a 5K when you know you have passed the 3 mile marker and you sprint with everything you have that last tenth of a mile. Well, I feel like I am nearing that 3 mile marker and can see the finish line and am conjuring up all the strength left in me to get this stuff done. I basically have a month left. Six births to go. Six. I can’t say it out loud though because it sounds too surreal. 

I have said it before, but all that I learned in Second semester is here at this clinic. I wish I had learned it while I had been at a clinic like this or could have traveled here shortly afterwards because I am doing all these tests and screenings. I have moms coming in and we are doing urine dips to see if they have a positive pregnancy. Then we are drawing blood to get an HcG level. We are checking progesterone to see if it is low if they are spotting. We are rescheduling another HcG blood draw to determine if they levels are going up.  We are seeing the fetuses on the ultrasound. We are scheduling these moms for fetal survey, size and dates ultrasounds. We have to sign them up for Medicaid or check their insurance or figure out how they will pay. We have to get them signed up with resources like Healthy Families and encourage them to make their appointments. All those power points which seem so surreal when you are not in the middle of it—are coming back to help me get through the end. Everything from drawing up medication to vitamin K shots, to B12 shots, to pap smears, to probable or possible signs of pregnancy. It is all here staring me in the face and I am glad to see it.

My doula experience has also helped me tremendously. Really any real hands-on experience has proven to be invaluable, even seeing births in the hospital.  I have learned more shoulder dystocia maneuvers and seen more drills than I care too, but honestly, it all helps. Likewise, seeing blood loss—what is normal, what isn’t—all helps you get a great idea of when too much is too much. So, simply knowing when the blood loss is too much and coupling it with the new knowledge of what to give or do when that occurs has been exciting. I finally feel like I have a good grasp and foundation on which to finish this race up.