LABOR AND DELIVERY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

            Again, another exemplary clinical was experienced today. Having Mrs. Brittany Faircloth lead us at Crisp Regional was ideal. She certainly was in her element. Mrs. Faircloth made us feel very comfortable, welcomed, and lucky to have her assisting with instructing us.

             Within five minutes of arriving, my clinical day began with a dynamic start, for I soon found myself in an operating room observing the preparations of a 34 year-old lady who was about to receive a repeat elective C-section. Although the room was a bit crowded with personnel and equipment, and I did not get to see as much of the spinal anesthesia administration as I would have desired, I did get to closely observe the lower uterine transverse incision and was amazed at how little bleeding subsequently occurred. The saying “timing is everything” about sums up how astonished I was at the progression of events. I arrived in the room at approximately 0805 to 0810 hours and found the patient sitting on the bed’s edge awaiting the cleansing prep and the local numbing injection. By 0815, the spinal block was apparently effective, for the patient had already been assisted to a supine position, was receiving the scalpel across her abdomen, and obviously was doing so without sensing a bit of pain. I found it grossly interesting to observe as the obstetrician incised and bypassed through multiple layers of fascia, fat, and muscles in a variety of maneuvers. At 0819, the most impressive event of the clinical day occurred when the newly born baby began profusely crying before her feet even left her mother’s uterus. I observed as the obstetrician quickly cleared the airway with bulb syringe suctioning, and then pass the loud slippery neonate to the pediatrician and his assisting nurses. I admit I was shocked at the rapid rate with which events progressed. Although still in amazement, my shock soon became dismay as I soon realized that I would not be able to see as much of the initial interventions as I would have desired. I was able to see that their assessments and interventions included drying, warming, stimulating and providing a brief trial of blow-by oxygen in order to ensure effective spontaneous respirations, oxygenation, and a warmer environment. My next mild disappointment came when baby was removed from the room and I was not invited to pursue. At the time, I supposed that I was expected to continue to observe the surgical operation, so I gratefully engrossed myself in observing their handiwork.

            It was not too long before I felt rescued, for within a few minutes I was summoned to leave the OR suite and follow Stephanie to the nursery. Excitement returned as I entered the nursery and observed students being instructed in the newborn’s maturity rating and classification assessments. Apparently, I had already missed a significant portion of those assessments, and may have crowded the area, for I was directed to return to shadowing Debbie, another nurse whom I had met during my first minutes in the unit. Debbie was another blessing, for she very politely tolerated my presence and persistent inquisitiveness, and even enlightened me with numerous knowledgeable answers to every question I posed. Every member of the unit was very helpful and appeared more than willing to extend herself in whatever way they could to provide a wonderful learning experience to each of us. Ms. Easter deserves an honorable mention as well. Thirty-one years on the unit, and she still exudes a spirit of enthusiasm and willingness to teach and inspire. I believe she is one of the blessings God has provided for me to attempt to emulate.

            In closing, I wish to mention some of the other highlights of the day. I enjoyed being able to view the chart, and wonder how future students may be afforded that informative opportunity when we go “paperless” (in respect to electronic medical records and the access issues that go along with them). I sincerely appreciate the efforts undertaken by Mrs. Faircloth to ensure that we not only had answers to all of our questions, but also to provide us with direct instructions in procedures such as newborn and fundal assessments, reading and interpreting fetal heart monitor strips, and circumcision procedures. Ms. Easter also deserves recognition for her generous efforts towards instructing us, for she certainly went the extra mile towards ensuring we were well informed. I believe every student who attends a clinical rotation there under the leadership and direction of Mrs. Faircloth (and the other unit nurses there) should feel blessed to have the opportunity, and should reap a wealthy reward of knowledge.

            I hope I have not exceeded the 150-300 word directives by too much (nearly tripled, I know…Oh, speaking of tripled, did I mention the baby had a nuchal cord that was wrapped around its neck THREE times?!!!). To be able to follow your directions from the first day of this summer semester when you said for us to “just vomit material about our experiences”, it is impossible to use so few words when my experiences have evoked such strong emotions. Thanks again for allowing me to join in this opportunity!