First week of Clinicals

Last week was the first week of my clinicals in this new semester. As ya'll know I am doing obstetrics and pediatrics this semester. My mondays are my pediatric clinicals and wednesdays are spent in the Labor and Delivery department at Mountian Vista Medical Center. This Hopspital is clear on the other side of the city on the way to New Mexico (just kidding...but it feels like it.) It is a gorgeous hospital! It is only a year old and looks like a day spa! The labor and Delivery department is large and spacious. I love it. It is a huge upgrade from the hospital that we were at last semester.

So last wednesday I spent the day in postpartum. I really enjoyed it! It is fun to see all of the families who are super excited about their new little one. It is one of the few areas in the hospital where most of the patients are happy (instead of being sad because they are sick). 

The only out of the ordinary thing that I got to see was a procedure done called a blood patch.  This is because an epidural was done with the birth and it caused the spinal fluid to leak out of the spine, causing the brain to have pressure and ache. A blood patch is where they take the patent's blood and reinsert it into their spine, where the epidural had occurred 2 days ago. When the blood is inserted into the epidural space it creates a clot that patches the hole in the matter around the spine. This keeps the spinal fluid from leaking; therefor the patient instantly feels better and the headache goes away. It is really neat! I enjoyed watching it. 

Overall the day was fun! All of the new babies are so tiny. I forgot how small newborns are! They are so precious. I enjoyed getting to do newborn and new mom assessments. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will be able to witness a live birth. I look forward to seeing the miracle of birth. I'll be sure to tell ya'll about it! :-)

I haven't had a pediatric rotation yet. That will happen tomorrow. Hopefully it will be a good experience!