Even though it was extremely difficult, I learned so much!
-The NICU is amazing! I could work in one for the rest of my life and be totally happy. I have found my ultimate goal in nursing. Babies are freakin' cute!
-I do not want to be a Peds nurse. I love babies. I do not love kids or teenagers, with a few exceptions. (Hopefully I will love my own children, otherwise I may have to give them up when they are not babies anymore ;))
-The hospital birthing experience is not for me, barring any complications or extenuating circumstances. I don't want the IV, the Pitocin, the crazy hospital policies, the constant monitoring, the provider's time table, or the broken-down bed.
-Given that I am allergic to latex, tape adhesive, and metal, I think an epidural is out for me anyways. So, in order to have some sort of pain relief, I'm considering a water birth. I did a project on water births in OB, and they have a lot of advantages, including decreased need for episiotomy. That I really like. I'm also fine without the side effects of an epidural (low blood pressure, not being able to move myself, itching, urinary retention, constipation...) My good friend, Amber, also had a very amazing and encouraging experience with natural labor at home and a birthing center.
-There are a bunch of different positions to give birth in, and lithotomy position (on your back, legs up in stirrups) is the least effective position, and the one that requires the most medical interventions. So, I won't be doing that.
-Even just conversations with my husband about future potential plans have brought to light many things for me. We've already had lots of discussions and done some education ;)
-I am no expert in any way, shape, or form, but I still can't believe how much I've learned. I still have a long ways to go. But having a child does not make you an expert in obstetrics or babies either. I love it when people think it does... Always consider your source and their background!
And finally, the c-section I saw was amazing, but I don't want one of those either. Being in the operating room is really cool, and it was the very first birth I saw. When they finally got down to the amniotic sack, it was like a fountain when the doctor punctured it, kind of funny! I also was able to pull on some gloves and check out the placenta. Very amazing what those things can do. I put the baby bands on mom and dad, and participated in the instrument counts and lap pad counts. The mom also had a tubal ligation, so the doctor pointed out the ovaries, the tubes, the fimbriae, and I got to see a ton of stuff. It was seriously awesome! Very good experience.
3 comments:
Great post- love the pictures. Have you ever seen the documentary "The business of being born"? It makes a great case for natural birth. I had two vaginal births in the hospital with epidurals, but I am tempted to try the at-home birth experience next time around. I'm a little scared considering how huge my babies heads are and all. Plus I hate pain.
You'll be an awesome nurse!
Aw, thanks Rory! I really appreciate it. I have seen "The Business of Being Born." It's a good case for non-hospital births, for sure...
If you really want to try the home birth thing, there are tons of wonderful midwives out there. You could also hire a doula to help you through your labor. The sole job of a doula is to support the woman throughout the birth. They have tons of ways to help relieve pain and get you through it. Interview midwives and doulas and ask questions until you have someone you relate to and who believes in and will support your wishes. Or if you're super nervous about being at home, you could try a birth center too. They also have tons and tons of great ideas and tricks and techniques to get you through. You can do whatever you want to do :)
I thought this was a great post! I agree with you that many women just do what everyone else does and never think to question if there might be something better for them, or think that they might prefer a different route other than the hospital.
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