Today I…
- caught a million babies. (ok, maybe not that many but all four beds in one room were full the whole shift)
- got pis pis’d on–the women today decided to empty their bladders just before pushing, while laying supine, so it actually squirts up in an arc. Surprise to me! And a Quick Learning Curve—I only got tagged once.
- I had a MAJOR postpartum hemorrhage from one first time mom. And I managed it. I had to order people around as I don’t have six hands but i did that effectively. It really sucks when there is a river of blood pouring out of a woman.
- I got pooped on by two babies who decided to show me just what they thought of the way their days went down. I would probably crap on someone if I had to do what they did too…at least they are cute.
- I calmly replaced the needles on two shots a nurse was prepping to give a newborn to baby size instead of man size needles. (yikes) And then I explained to the babies my plan and gave them their shots (every baby gets hep B and vit k here)
- I gave first baths to several babies who were all alert and interested in me. I sang them silly songs.
- I taught a young aunt how to bathe her niece and dress her. I just pretend I know what I’m doing when it comes to these nappies—they are not like our diapers at home. So now the aunt will always put them on wrong until one day, one of her family members points it out to her and she realizes what a ignoramus I really am when it come to under garments for newborns : )
- I helped a nervous new dad to sit down while his wife was asleep and I put the baby in his arms and it was magical
- I almost passed out (somewhere in the middle of the babies and heat I realized the weekend people don’t use the AC in the delivery rooms OR the fans…and I had been so busy I hadn’t had time to drink. I had the mute nurse (who is so sweet) stand where I was standing and pretend to be me while I went into the midwive’s “lounge” and lay down and drank 40 oz of water straight. It really, really helped. Then I got up and got back to it. I made a comment about it being hot and one of the other midwives said “it’s hot sistah, you said it!” and I looked around and everyone was drenched in sweat running down their bodies. I made eyes at the AC and one of them flipped the on switch. Too little too late, 4 women, their moms or sisters or both, 2 midwives, 2 nursing students, one doctor…too much heat for one rickety old window AC. At least I had 40 more oz to sweat out.
- After my shift I went to visit the kids down the hill and I made wheelchair races for siblings in the childrens ortho ward. There are no Rules here for kids. It is a dream come true. They get to play and keep score and fight it out if there is a disagreement. It is like Childhood Unleashed and it is such a relief! Kids learning to think and problem solve without adults telling them every little step they should take. It’s Fabu! Anyway, we went outside where there are long sort of empty pathways with hills and raced around in a giant rectangle. I ran behind them urging them ever faster. One of the boys had a little sister jump on his lap who was about my nieces size and she held on for dear life as he plummeted down the hill. I should mention that the wheelchairs are old wooden things that don’t resemble what we know about wheel chairs at all. It was FUN! The old people laughed and clapped for the kids. I visited my little friend whose mom was sleeping yesterday. He had his whole family with him today and had the run of his dad’s cell phone which was playing music. We showed off our mad peek-a-boo skills.
- I got to skype with Jeffrey and Benjy and wish B a happy Father’s day and say goodbye to Jeffrey as he gets ready for camp tomorrow!
It was a great, great day. And now I will collapse. Goodnight to all!
