It's a boy!

I will preface this post by saying that since I was probably 18, I have had the unrelenting desire to have children. I frequently dream about being pregnant, giving birth, or breastfeeding. It's quite odd -- I don't know anyone else who has dreams like this. I have had girls, boys, twins. Well anyways, last night I dreamt I had a baby boy. And he had red hair. What's more is that I had the baby in the car. On my way to the hospital. But there is no way in hell I would have my child at the hospital, unless there was a major emergency. I've never had a dream about my fantasy birth. So it's clear that I've thought about -- if I have an ideal birth situation. It was so strange because neither I or Beloved have anything near red hair. I told her about it this morning and she jokingly said that baby wasn't hers. So what would be your ideal birth?

My test last week went well. I should have studied more but I did get an A without too much of a problem. Last week's clinical rotation was hard -- teenagers having babies! I have a little sister who will be 16 in just a couple of days. It's interesting when you're caring for someone the same age as your sibling because I relate her care to the kind of care I'd want my sister to get. However, I did get to do some really great breastfeeding teaching. My first patient actually had a doula who helped her during labor and delivery as part of an organization that targets teen mothers. It was great to see her so well-supported. This week I will be doing my mother-baby rotation which I'm looking forward to. I want to have more clinical, hands-on time with the moms and babies. There's not a whole lot we're allowed to do in labor and delivery. The breastfeeding thing just came by as a fluke and I seized the opportunity.

I'm serving as backup for a fellow student who is in the doula co-op. She's a pretty new doula and has been asking for advice. I kind of like getting asked for help because it shows me that I know more than I think I do. I loaned her my doula bag of tricks too. I will be doing another birth in March. I have decided I want to get an externship this summer. There are two that I want to apply for -- so we'll see which one I get. I desperately need to get back to the workforce. I've never been unemployed before. Anyways -- I have to get back to class to see how I did on my test I took this morning. Wish me luck.

Off to a Great Start

I know I haven't updated in awhile. A lot has been on my plate as well as on my mind. I need to mull over my thoughts about a recent birth I attended as a doula. I still haven't quite made peace with that birth, but I'm working on it.

So yesterday was my first official day on labor and delivery. Although clinical started last week, I was on antepartum (high risk pregnancy) and then spent a little time in the intermediate nursery. No labor and delivery. It was kind of boring. But this week I got to be in the action. When I arrived on the floor, my clinical instructor told me they were about to have a twin vaginal birth, if I wanted to see it. I then hurried to the birth. When I got there, the doctor was telling mom that she could push if she wanted to. The first baby came out head first in about 2 pushes. A few minutes later, it looked as though her vagina had blown up a water balloon. It was the second baby's bag of waters, still intact. Inside the bag, you could see these little feet floating in the amniotic fluid. Doc broke the bag, then you saw the little feet in detail. About a push and a half later, the baby emerged. Everyone was fine. Who knew I would see a vaginal twin birth on my first day in L&D, let alone a double footling breech? My clinical instructor has never seen that. I took the birth as a sign that I'm right where I'm supposed to be.

I'm still debating on whether or not I want to get an externship this summer. I think I will get one -- just for the extra experience and the money doesn't hurt either. We'll see what ends up happening. Anyways -- I have a huge test in Patho/Pharmacology so I need to get to studying.