Delivery suite reflection

Back in Delivery suite again, as part as maintaining my competencies to practice as a midwife. Its taken some organisation due to shortage of staff but finally have managed to spend a two week placement there. I am a ‘born community worker’ so do admit to feeling uncomfortable at being back into the structure of the hospital situation, not to mention the feelings of mild anxiety I experienced wondering whether or not I would cope with what comes through the door; at the same time not wanting to make a fool of myself in front of colleagues .

The first week was fairly quite. I felt very privileged to care for a second time Mum and Dad. The baby girl was delivered after a lot of hard work from Mum, following a quick four hour labour. Quick, but intense and hard work according to Mum. All in the room expected a rapid second stage but as baby was in a posterior position at the start of the second stage heaps of energy was required by Mum to push baby out. The joy on the couples faces dispelled all my doubts of my ability to enjoy my experience in Delivery Suite. It was awesome! The good thing is that I get to visit Mum and Dad at home after my two week experience.

Week two was busy and unpredictable as only Delivery Suite could be. Opportunities presented themselves for me to regain my skills and confidence. I was involved in providing care for women undergoing epidurals, prem labours, and women with various degrees of PET. After one exceptionally busy day, where it seemed as though women were literary pouring through the door, I ended up transferring a woman expecting twins, who on U/S had a shorten cervix by helicopter to Hastings . Providing care for this woman was very special, as between the both of us a bond developed in the space of a very short interaction. Her care had been transferred to Secondary Care, and from attending a routine clinic appointment in the morning she was shocked to be told that she had to be flown out of PN, due to NNU being full that day. I was glad that I was able to provide her comfort and support, and on reflection I learnt that when establishing a supportive relationship between clients and yourself, time is not always available or necessary.

I survived and enjoyed my two weeks, and ended up feeling more confident than at the start. I learnt that its like riding a bike, some things you never forget, you just have to refresh you memory to keep confident. I am going to try and arrange more time in D/S next year, with less length between stints.