Food for thought

It’s been a few days and I am finally starting to settle in a bit more. I have explored much of the city and seen some amazing things. I am starting to become more friendly with the people at work. I have even exchanged contact info with some other travelers!

Even though Seattle is a big city, I have found a way to break it down and make it so it’s not so overwhelming. Of course, me being the “Type A” personality that I am,  just broke it down by neighborhood. I then pick one that I want to check out or a specific attraction that sounds  cool, and look for things nearby.

As far as the job, I am starting to adjust to the “baby factory” mentality, slightly. It is a very interesting and very different point of view than what I’m used to. That doesn’t make it bad, just different. Something else that is interesting is that there are so many cool things I’ve seen here that I’ve never seen before. I had my first forceps delivery the other day, which was scary and exciting all at the same time, when done properly, forceps can save mom from having a c-section birth which brings a whole list of potential risks and complications including a longer, often more painful recovery. I have had more natural births here than I have in my 4 years of being a labor nurse, which I think is the coolest thing ever! Women are allowed to labor not being attached to monitors or IV fluids if their conditions allow. They have totally wireless monitord which are so cool, and allow mom to MOVE even if she has to be continually monitored for some reason. They have Jacuzzi tubs in EVERY labor room!!!!!! Many women use doulas, and are empowered and educated on their own bodies and the birth process. Sometimes that’s a good thing, and sometimes I need to remind them that sometimes their sources aren’t the most reliable and perhaps they needed some re-education. The support coaches are actually supportive- I have yet to see one support coach in a corner or their cell phone, or watching tv, or reading magazine. They are at the moms side, feeding ice chips, rubbing their legs or their back, helping them through their labor as it should be. Women are allowed to make noise! What a crazy notion! Labor hurts people!!!! We are so quick to tell them “shush” or “you’ll scare the woman next door”. We forget so quickly that labor is an out of body experience that is sometimes beyond the control of the woman and turns into instinct. When we shut that down, we disappoint, discourage and ultimately diminish the woman’s ability to “naturally” labor and then therefore set her up for no other choice than an epidural. Now I’m not saying that every woman who comes in kicking and screaming and threatening her husband with a divorce needs to labor naturally by any stretch of the imagination. What I am saying is that if a woman wants to have a natural labor, we should be able to educate and empower her and coach her through the process without her feeling like she has failed because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

Now, I know I can’t change the world. I have realized that a long time ago. What I would like to do is to alter my practices for the better. Take the good with me where ever I go, and leave the not-so-good behind. I am hoping to reach more people with this blog to help not only me get my thoughts out, but to help other people. I want to at least get a very real conversation started on all things life, hopefully to raise awareness and bring attention which then may eventually bring change.