Placement 1

Wow, as a student midwife, I've often found myself lost for words and today is one of those days. I actually can't believe it but I'm coming up to the end of my 1st placement. 

The 1st Placement

I've spent several weeks out in the community and I'm now in my final week. The midwife I've worked with has been great; she's really let me get stuck in and have a go. She's given me lots of support and idea's along the way. My midwife hasn't completed her mentorship programme, but that hasn't been a problem for this placement as we aren't being formally assessed or signing off anything for our portfolios. The placement is mainly classed as 'observational'.  

The area that my midwife works in is classed as a socially deprived area and I have had the chance to witness a range of interesting cases. I've come across several social services cases which included women involved in the criminal justice system, substance misuse and concealed pregnancies, one of the possible concealed pregnancies actually turned out to be a phantom pregnancy. 

I've had a range of experiences in the antenatal clinic and on postnatal visits, I've also got to spend a day with health visitor; this was great as it enabled me to see some of the work they do. 

In the antenatal clinic I've carried out the urinalysis testing for most ladies, obtained a blood pressure measurement and if the women are of the suitable gestation, listened to the fetal heart and carried out palpations. 

On postnatal visits I have either mainly spoke to Mother, or focused on the baby. I have had lots of 'firsts' on the placement as expected and I guess these are things that are really exciting and perhaps in some cases nerve racking, but then with practice become like 2nd nature. 

I've seen my first heel prick test (nst). Fed a baby for the first time and changed a nappy. Undressed and dressed the baby, weighed the baby, and examined the baby all for the 1st time. 

The placement has been an amazing experience and a real eye opener and I've had many memorable experiences which last with me forver. I am going to be creating more detailed posts regarding my 1st placement in the near future. 

Happy catching xo

1st week on placement

Last week I completed my 1st week on placement. For my 1st placement I am located on community. My mentor is lovely, and on my 1st day she allowed me to more than I expected. We had to run antenatal clinic all day at a GP's surgery. She allowed me to do all of the urinalysis tests for each women, I did quite a few manual blood pressure's, she let me listen to the fetal heart using the sonic aid and she let me palpate several women and I got the babies positioning right. I measured a ladies weight and took her height. My mentor showed me how to use the computer programmes, showed me the labeling for blood plots and the packaging they get sent off in for screening. I also witnessed a membrane sweep. On my 2nd day we were doing booking histories and there wasn't as much for me to do (practically I guess) it was a lot more observing and assisting with paperwork, it was good to familiarise myself with the different care pathways for the different categories of women. My 1st day of home visits was Friday and I witnessed my 1st heel prick test, saw a woman who had, had a forceps delivery, with a 3rd degree tear and high blood loss. I am loving placement and it makes me exciting for the coming months. Even after such a short time on placement I feel like I have learned so much and have got to experience lots already. I will update again soon xo

1st post!

Basically I'm making this little post to introduce 1215 bumps&babies to anyone who may stumble upon this blog. 

Firstly I'll tell you a little bit about myself.  I'm currently an 18 year old, 1st year student midwife, who started my training in September. Prior to starting the midwifery programme I studied A-levels. 

Anyway I've decided to start this blog, to share my experiences throughout the programme with others. These may be theory or placement based. I will also share anything I find useful as a student and will try to include a variety of posts. How often I update this blog will just depend on what time I have free, as you may or may not know, the midwifery programme alone is very busy without everything else that life throws our way. 

Hope you enjoy xo