Happy Birthday!

Why did Leo make the blog? Read on...

Day 1 of OB Clinicals was awesome!! I was on the Labor and Delivery Unit and assigned a patient and her nurse, both of which were wonderful. Within the first half hour of meeting my patient, I got the opportunity to insert a Foley catheter (all laboring patients who have epidurals get them). A new skill to cross off my list! Of course, we learned how to do those in the first semester but that was my first opportunity on a real person. Let me just tell you, those mannequins are not life-like! :) My instructor said I did a good job but it's definitely a skill that meets the criteria for "practice makes perfect."

My patient was only dilated to a 3 so I knew I had some time to go observe the scheduled C-section down the hall. I walk into the OR thinking that I will just stand against the wall and observe and before I know it, one of the nurses hands me a Foley catheter kit and says "Wanna put it in?". Uhhhh, yeah, I guess...Of course she's asking me in a totally supportive, learning-opportunity kind of way so I gladly oblidged. The OB doctor performing the procedure even gave me a few kind pointers as I proceded. (I couldn't get over how nice and helpful the staff was being!) Everything went well and the C-section was amazing to watch, and it happened so quickly! Oh, and just after the baby was born, that same nurse handed me a vial of Vit K for the newborn's fist IM injection and Erythromycin eye drops, saying "Wanna give these?" (In case you were wondering, all newborns get Vitamin K because they are born without clotting factors and Vit K prevents them from bleeding out. Erythromycin is a prophylactic antibiotic for eye infections from the birthing process.)

Once that exciting event was over, I headed back to check on my patient. Over the next few hours, I got to be a part of her baby's birth as well as another patient's.(and give more vit K and erythromycin) All I've got to say is EPIDURAL!!!! It's a wonderful thing, people! In all seriousness, the experiences were amazing and I felt priveleged that they allowed me to be a part of their very special moment. The gift of life is a true blessing from God!

Speaking of birthdays, my little furbaby, Leo, is turning 2 today! (April 6) He'll get an extra special treat today for sure. I'd say that I might spoil him and love on him a little extra but I'm not sure it's possible to do any more than I already do on a daily basis. He may be growing up chronologically but he's still a puppy at heart.

Check back soon as I have a story to share from my shift at work last Friday. Have a great week!