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