a day in the life . . .

I really felt like a CNM this week. Here is a quick run-down of the end of my week (the early part was marred by a killer head cold!)

Thursday, I had prenatal clients in clinic. Saw one of my favorite ladies who has finally made it to 37 weeks for the first time (this is her 4th baby, and we cannot do homebirth before 37 weeks by law). Met a couple for their first visit. Saw repeat clients who are getting close to term, and excited about meeting their babies soon.

Friday, I did well-woman all day, and that consisted of: 3 paps, pulled out an IUD, put in an IUD, checked IUD strings, counseled about birth control, hormonal changes, nutrition, exercise, weight loss, tried desperately to diagnose lesions on a client's face, did 5 physicals, and more. I cleaned the room myself between clients, took their money, billed their insurance companies, and mostly stayed on time. (I would have been more on time if my clients had: a. remembered to bring their registration paperwork that they were sent; and b. if they had been on time!)

Saturday, I met with a client who was post-dates (getting close to 42 weeks - we also cannot deliver AFTER 42 weeks outside the hospital, also by law). Using my midwifery skills, I induced her labor naturally. It took a few hours, and she got walks and acupuncture between my exams, but it worked! She was in active labor by 8:30 pm, and had her baby in the wee hours this morning. A lovely birth, and a surprise little girl! (some of my clients opt NOT to find out!) As we said goodbye, the mom gave me a good hug, a real hug - you know, the kind where you can feel gratitude in their whole body? Left me feeling great.

Feeling more in the groove these days. Enjoying my clients, my work, feeling like I'm using my brain, my skills, and gaining expertise and awareness each and every day

So, this was a good week. I hadn't had a birth in a few weeks, so was a little sad about that. It has become a joke at work that when I'm on call, no-one goes into labor.

I'm still on call . . . heading to bed now. Hoping that little pager will chime to wake me up so I can be there to welcome another little one to the breathing world.