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Tribe for Midwifery Students 2008!!

74K views 2K replies 133 participants last post by  maxmama 
#1 ·
Our other thread was really getting long and I thought maybe it'd be good to start a new one... appropriately on New Years Day 2008!

This year will be full of wonder for all of us, Dear Ones- I can just feel it!

May your studies progress most appropriately to completion with ease, may your eyes see clearly, may your hands touch gently, may your trust in birth bring comfort and support to the women, babies, and families you will touch this year.


J.
 
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#302 ·
Jessuka! My name is Jessica too! Pleased to meet you.
 
#303 ·
Howdy all! Hey there you new faces- good to see you here too!

Been busy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! Work has not been so busy, but now I am helping my boss write a second grant for the program I created, The A-B-C Program, which stands for After the Baby Comes Program, which entails promoting better planning for smoother adjustment in postpartum for women and families, promotes awareness and prevention of postpartum depression (we wrote a successful mini-grant this past fall for training of our staff and volunteers), and then there is an educational component of adding to our lending library, giving away good, evidence-based info about newborns and so on- we have folders for new moms. (For those who don't know, and brief as I can make it: I work for a local faith-based non-profit that provides families in our service area with assistance and support when an unexpected expense arises or they are in financial crisis because of seasonal employment or other situations that make life hard. The aspect of this non-profit in which I work, is a baby clothing and gear give-away boutique- soon to be adding maternity clothing as well. We give away cribs and lots of things which are costy and hard to get for families experiencing financial difficulties. We also run a mommy/child playgroup for newborns- age 3. It's NOT religiously-oriented programs at all even though it's a faith-based organization) This next grant is to cover materials for our lending library and perhaps some of my salary. AND I am working on a personal grant from a big corporation (goddess help me) to expand The ABC Program further with gift baskets promoting positive postpartum through wise self and newborn care for new moms, books about birth/new babies for siblings, and other things that can flesh out the ABC program which I created, even more. What's crazy is that the two new grant proposals are due the same day: March 1st. ACK! I need a time warp to fit it all in PLUS work and study!

I started my Mother's Day gift list!!! There are books on that. I have included a fun book; a novel- The Birth House, by Ami Mckay- anyone read it? It's just for pleasure. Sometimes I have to read something totally light. I also asked for alcohol for tincture-making: this year I am making shepherd's purse tincture FOR SURE! Was so sorry I didn't last year just because it was an urge I'd had and didn't follow up on it. I asked for herb plants to put in the ground (when it finally is time to do that- feels like it'll never be warm again today!) Oh and there are other texts on my list as well.

Meanwhile... 15 pages of vocab later, and still not out of the c's yet!

I need to really get serious about some book reports and such too. Been writing some essays for an exercise about my attitudes about birth. It is interesting, exploring introspectively about that.

We are having some very messy weather here today... it's a snow day even though what is falling is snow and sleet and such. VERY messy. My husband, a teacher, didn't have to work today, so that was nice... and I had the day off even though I did a phone appointment with my boss about these grants we are working on.

So that's me... up here in the boonies, and wishing for a preceptor to mentor and guide me with hands-on practicum.


J.
 
#304 ·
The Birth House is a good light read, IMO. Truly a novel - nothing earth shattering in there.

I am taking my newborn assessment class this quarter, and just got my NRP certification card. It helps so much! I wonder why my program doesn't have us do it sooner?! It all makes more sense now - all the things they do for resuscitation, when you need to cut the cord and when you can leave it, etc. Still don't feel like I could actually be in charge of a situation where a resus needed to happen, but at least I know the basics and can assist if needed. It's so important just to know the names of things. Sheesh.

I had a breakdown the other day about the complete lack of continuity of care in my program...for the past 2 quarters we have been taking call but haven't been in clinic...which means that we are usually meeting women for the first time when they come in in labor. I just can't stand it. How are we supposed to know how to support a woman when we've just met her? It makes me so frustrated, and I know that I will not be able to work in a place where it would be like that all the time. This is my major problem with the CNM route...so many of the available positions are like that, and it's hard to break out of that mold. Especially as a new grad.
 
#305 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by mcsarahb View Post
The Birth House is a good light read, IMO. Truly a novel - nothing earth shattering in there.

I am taking my newborn assessment class this quarter, and just got my NRP certification card. It helps so much! I wonder why my program doesn't have us do it sooner?! It all makes more sense now - all the things they do for resuscitation, when you need to cut the cord and when you can leave it, etc. Still don't feel like I could actually be in charge of a situation where a resus needed to happen, but at least I know the basics and can assist if needed. It's so important just to know the names of things. Sheesh.

I had a breakdown the other day about the complete lack of continuity of care in my program...for the past 2 quarters we have been taking call but haven't been in clinic...which means that we are usually meeting women for the first time when they come in in labor. I just can't stand it. How are we supposed to know how to support a woman when we've just met her? It makes me so frustrated, and I know that I will not be able to work in a place where it would be like that all the time. This is my major problem with the CNM route...so many of the available positions are like that, and it's hard to break out of that mold. Especially as a new grad.

Labor nurses do it all the time. I've never met my patients before unless I triaged them another night, or had them as an antepartum or something. You learn how to connect with people quickly. I always sit down with my patients or their families (depending on where they are in their labor) and talk with them about how they envision their birth and labor. I read birth plans. I notice the things they bring in for labor. Did you work as a labor nurse before, or is this a graduate-entry program?
 
#306 ·
Wow!! 5 days with no posts??
Is everyone hybernating?
:

Only 36 more days until I leave for MT Philly conference!! I soooooo can't wait!! Does anyone know why the MT website has been down for so long? Anyone know when it will be back up? I hope soon!!

Well, I'm going to work on some vocab tonight. I'm so close to being finished! Hopefully this weekend I'll get to move on to the next part! woohoo!!


I miss you guys! Come out and post with me!!!

 
#308 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaRabbit View Post
I've been a reading member of AllDoulas. Anyone see their new sister site Midwifery & More? It's for students like us! Not many members but I really think the site has potential.
I'm a member of both groups. I would love to see Midwifery & More become more active... I have posted a couple times, but some of the posts are beyond me at this time...

Tia
 
#309 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by 636Jen View Post
Wow!! 5 days with no posts??
Is everyone hybernating?
:

Only 36 more days until I leave for MT Philly conference!! I soooooo can't wait!! Does anyone know why the MT website has been down for so long? Anyone know when it will be back up? I hope soon!!

Well, I'm going to work on some vocab tonight. I'm so close to being finished! Hopefully this weekend I'll get to move on to the next part! woohoo!!


I miss you guys! Come out and post with me!!!


I was on the MT website both yesterday and tonight. No problems here.
 
#311 ·
Only 2 weeks until I leave to Los Angeles for the Trust Birth Conference!!!
: I'm excited, but I have also been busy these past few weeks with last minute conference work, and I am working on my handouts for the 2 sessions that I will be teaching. I'm nervous about them, but also excited!!!

On top of all that, I am ALSO working on getting my NARM application together to turn in by the end of this month, since the deadline is March 10th, and I will be at the conference then.

I will feel so much relief when I get the letter saying that my application has been accepted, and that I'm not getting audited. I just saw my friend go through that last fall, and it isn't a fun thing at all. SO, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

After the conference is over, I will be busy with births through June, and will be taking my skills assessment with NARM once my application is accepted. EEkks!!! I will be so relived when the whole process if over. I really don't like tests.
 
#313 ·
Hello there everyone - I can't wait to get to the point so many of you are at right now. Classes are put on a little hold for me (until taxes come in to pay for them) so I've just been reading through HM. That's the only thing I want to do until classes actually start.

Have have a fabulous time at your conferences, for those going!

I've been thinking about making it to the MSTM retreat this year but then I found out that I have a family wedding in NY on the 16th. Which is the day AFTER the retreat. So I dunno. We'll have to see how that pans out. It's not even definite that we'll be going to the wedding so who knows.
 
#314 ·
Hi ladies! I'm still here. I've been letting my studies lag quite a bit. I haven't heard from my preceptor in 3 or 4 weeks. Last time I talked to her she was going to update me on clients and give me feedback on the two births I did with her. She had to go but promised she'd call me back that night and talk to me about how I did..... Haven't heard a thing. I'm fighting seasonal depression from this New England winter and having marriage problems. I'm super depressed and letting things slide.

I don't really like the Midwife to Be program. I'm having a really hard time with it. The way it's set up just doesn't make sense. The unit I'm working on is Physiology. You would think that all the assignments would be on physiology right? Nope. Contraception. One section in HM on physiology and that's it. Than we don't get tested on any of the assignments, just on the books we read in addition. This unit I'm doing Active Birth and Spiritual Midwifery. So I'll get tested on these two entire books, but not test my knowledge of physiology. I can't help but think that if I had one day a week to spend with my preceptor studying, learning, picking her brain it would be so much better. I just feel kinda stuck. I would love to be learning in a classroom situation. It's just not possible right now. I guess I'll just keep shouldering through it until things change in my life. Sorry to vent. I'm just letting everything slide and am frustrated with myself for it, but feeling incapable of doing anything else.
 
#315 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by 636Jen View Post
Wow!! 5 days with no posts??
Is everyone hybernating?
:
I was wondering the same thing!


Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaRabbit View Post
I've been a reading member of AllDoulas. Anyone see their new sister site Midwifery & More? It's for students like us! Not many members but I really think the site has potential.
Ooooh, thanks for the heads up! I'll check it out.


Quote:

Originally Posted by 636Jen View Post
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/forums/

This is the link that I'm using to get to the MT forums. Am I doing it wrong or is there another link? Thanks for any info!!


Cool site mama!


I haven't tried today but they are updating their forums and so they are down in the meantime. I've been waiting for them to come back up!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reha View Post
Only 2 weeks until I leave to Los Angeles for the Trust Birth Conference!!!
: I'm excited, but I have also been busy these past few weeks with last minute conference work, and I am working on my handouts for the 2 sessions that I will be teaching. I'm nervous about them, but also excited!!!

On top of all that, I am ALSO working on getting my NARM application together to turn in by the end of this month, since the deadline is March 10th, and I will be at the conference then.

I will feel so much relief when I get the letter saying that my application has been accepted, and that I'm not getting audited. I just saw my friend go through that last fall, and it isn't a fun thing at all. SO, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

After the conference is over, I will be busy with births through June, and will be taking my skills assessment with NARM once my application is accepted. EEkks!!! I will be so relived when the whole process if over. I really don't like tests.
Whew, you're going to have a busy year girl!
Have fun at the conference and
: with your NARM app.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eco_mama View Post
I've been thinking about making it to the MSTM retreat this year but then I found out that I have a family wedding in NY on the 16th. Which is the day AFTER the retreat. So I dunno. We'll have to see how that pans out. It's not even definite that we'll be going to the wedding so who knows.
Hope you get to go!


Quote:

Originally Posted by cfiddlinmama View Post
Sorry to vent. I'm just letting everything slide and am frustrated with myself for it, but feeling incapable of doing anything else.

I understand... I've been in slumps too and it's just no fun. I hope things start looking up soon!

For me... we go to Florida next week. We're actually going to see my brother one last time before he ships to Iraq but we're trying to make it into a rather short 2.5 day vacation. If nothing else we can enjoy some nice weather. I went to my 14th birth last night and I'm hoping to get one or two more before I leave, we'll see.
 
#317 ·
cfiddlinmama, I'm sorry that you're having a rough time.
I hope you get some sunshine soon....just think, spring is around the corner!! Then it's time to get some fresh air, plant a garden and watch Mother Nature turn gray into green!


Busymomma, a good friend of mine is headed over to Iraq in a few days for a second time. He'll be gone for about a year and 1/2. I just went to his dad's funeral last week....what a horrible month it has been for him. I hope your brother returns safely back home soon.


Reha, have a great time at the conference! I'm sure you'll do well in the classes you're teaching. How exciting!!

Eco, I hope you make it to the retreat! It would be great to finally meet you!


Mavournin
thanks for trying!
I guess I could have been clearer on what I meant by the "site" being down. There was someone on the forum that will be driving to Philly with me and I just hope the site is up before then so I can PM that person to finalize our arrangements.


Tonight is my reading night! Talk to you ladies soon!
 
#320 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by onlyboys View Post
But, I firmly believe that women should be "risked out" to OBs. All women should start with midwives and then when their care is outside of the scope of practice, then they move on to the high risk specialists. If that's a CPM/LM whose client needs a more medicalized birth (perhaps augmentation or induction) then that next step might be CNMs who specialize in hospital births. When a hospital CNM has a client who needs a surgical birth, then the client goes to the surgeon/OB.
In a way I agree with this... definitely start with midwives and then risk out to OBs, but who determines that risk? What is the level at which the midwife can no longer attend? Obviously when you get to surgical, but even before that... where's that point? Around here, breech or multiples are generally risked out of HB. I was seeing an NP, and I was "risked out" because I refused the GTT. The NP refused to see me anymore and I had to start seeing a perinatologist. So while I agree with the theory, in practice it's considerably more complex because it's the doctors making the rules that we all wind up having to comply with.

Anyway... just my 2 cents.

Haven't been around in a while. Been a bit depressed. We're still TTC, going on 10 months now. Did my first cycle of injectibles this month. I'm hoping we landed twins (I had 3 eggs), but won't know for a few more days.

Other than that... is anyone here besides Reha and myself going to the Trust Birth Conference?? I'm looking forward to meeting Reha, just wondering if I should be looking out for anyone else.
 
#321 ·


I hope this cycle is the one for you! If you have three eggs, does that mean a possibility of triplets?


I'm not going to the Trust Birth conference but it sounds awesome! There are three others that I'm planning on attending this year though. I hope I get to meet you laides at some point in '08!

 
#322 ·
not around much - still dont have internet at home

but I did go to see BoBB last night, and connected with the local homebirth association, which was nice. They were all really happy to meet me, as thre's only 2 hb mws in the area (well, an hour north of me), and I'm starting to get involved with the group


I'm on alldoulas, and I'll look at that link, thanks mamarabbit!
 
#323 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by 636Jen View Post


I hope this cycle is the one for you! If you have three eggs, does that mean a possibility of triplets?

Thanks.

And yes, that is a possibility. I'm really hoping not, though. I only have 2 breasts, ya know.


And if I'm going to have a hard time finding a HB MW with twins, it'd be SO much harder with trips.

I finally got all my sessions selected for the conference, and only one of them was already full. My DH has convinced me to book a flight rather than drive, so I'm looking those up right now. I got into the preconference workshops I wanted, and I found roommates, so now I guess all that's left is to pack!
 
#326 ·
cfiddlin ~ Interesting to read your post. I'm actually dropping the MTB program and am going to do self-study along with my apprenticeship. My reasons are very similar to yours.

Quote:
I can't help but think that if I had one day a week to spend with my preceptor studying, learning, picking her brain it would be so much better.
These have been my exact thoughts! I was leery of switching to self-study because I'm not sure I can prepare for NARM as well. But then I got to thinking, even if I do self-study, I'm going to be doing exactly like I am with MTB. *shrug* We're not tested over the assignments anyway so it's not like I'll be missing out on that evaluation of my knowledge. So I am going to use the units as a guide, keep track of my study/clinical hours, see if my preceptor will help evaluate what I'm learning, keep track of births/skills with the NARM PEP paperwork, and just chug through it on my own.

I wish I had the finances to do AAMI or the Texas program. But I can't do that right now.

So you aren't alone!


I'm registered at Midwifery and More (was a moderater for a while actually) but I haven't posted in a long time.

We had a great birth a couple weeks ago.
VBAC Mama...9lb 2oz baby boy! She did fabulous! Quick labor/birth too! I
VBACs!!!!!! There's something so sweet about the look in their eyes after they push their baby out..such a tender excitement that they did it!!

Question: I know last year at some point we had a discussion about client codes. I have started recording births in the PEP paperwork and want a fun way to keep track of clients. LOL!! I'm weird that way. So how do you all do it??
 
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