I do not remember in detail what transpired during my first clinical day as a student midwife,mostly because my mind was still trying to put all those book details they teach you to practice. I was a nervous wreck to say the least; books give you a certain kind of confidence that is tested in the practical aspect of the subject. One day whilst studying in class, I actually thought I was ready to help deliver a young one, it was just a matter of perfecting the maneuvers, right? Turns out you need massive practice to 'perfect' that art.
There were several mothers in active labor. Active as in their cervical dilatation was 4cm and above, the contractions were increasing in intensity and frequency. In short, the misery of being in pain was well highlighted and I felt sorry for them. I was, as students should be, under the 'care' of my instructor and qualified midwife whom I followed around learning what I could on day one. She was of course pretty used to almost everything pertaining to labor and child birth. She had her own first day stories that made me somewhat at ease. She could tell her protegee was struggling to take it all in at once.
We were allocated lady A, a first time mother-to-be(Primgravida) who was more nervous than I probably was. Having heard several versions of how labor would be, she sat on her bed sweating expecting the worst pains ever. When an examination was done and she was informed her progress was just fine, she shot out, "When will it get worse?" Wrong question to another nervous person. My instructor was there to save the day, she did all she could to reassure her. Lady A seemed to relax for some few minutes. A scream from her neighbor made her get from her bed and walk about. "Will I scream like that?" She asked me. I honestly didn't know if she would scream like that so I just asked her to breathe deeply when a contraction hit her. I felt lame.
"How come she is not screaming?" I asked my instructor. Of course I had learnt each person's pain perception is different but I could not believe a mother with such contractions would be calm, especially a primgravida. I want labor like that, I told myself. No screaming, no embarrassing me, no drama. I am yet to find out what my score on that will be, if I get a chance to undergo labor. What I later discovered is that there is no shame in labor ward. A mother will rip out her clothes and beg for very cold water. Some say the heat is unbearable. Some even advice you as a young lady not be 'cheated' by these men. Others promise to never bear children again, only to find them back two or so years down the line very pregnant. In short, do not seriously take into account 'nasty' words uttered by a mother in labor, but listen anyway.
Back to lady A. She was lucky to have her husband by her side, rubbing her back whenever she was contracting, fanning her when the heat was much, encouraging her and such stuff. Men, it does help to support your woman through labor, but honestly not all of you are cut out for that. If you cannot stand the site of the whole labor thing, take a walk, lurk nearby lest you faint. I have seen some men faint in the delivery suite, later after an inquiry, you understand they got super-scared especially because of the site of blood....
Two hours later, she was having strong contractions, the pain had kicked in full swing. The calm lady began her melodious wail, occasionally turning to her husband and offering a piece of her mind. Just like that, my role model was gone and in her place stood the person I hoped she would not turn into. During all the wails, no tears were produced. They say you feel the pain to the root of your hair, tears are hard to come by, but that is from some individuals. I was instantly fast forwarded to the future and I saw me wailing (louder than her) in labor. As a hopeful mother to be, I was discouraged.
Our mother reached fully dilation after hours and in to the delivery suite we went. Out came the baby along with stuff I am careful not to mention for the sake of my audience. The pain, you could see it in her eyes, was worth it. The beautiful thing that had caused so much grief gave her such joy that you could capture it. She was in tears, grateful to God, the midwives and she was all over again more in love with her husband. I tried so hard not to cry with her when she held her young one. No one can ever take away such a moment from you as a midwife. It is divine, it is one of the best feelings to watch a mother hold her young knowing they are all healthy and alive. They tell you the pain goes away immediately the baby is born and some cannot remember what it was like. As mother, dad and angel bonded, I felt a sense of pride. I had survived the first few hours of my day. I felt confident enough to face the remainder of my day in labor ward. I knew I had not made a mistake in pursuing a course in midwifery.
There were several mothers in active labor. Active as in their cervical dilatation was 4cm and above, the contractions were increasing in intensity and frequency. In short, the misery of being in pain was well highlighted and I felt sorry for them. I was, as students should be, under the 'care' of my instructor and qualified midwife whom I followed around learning what I could on day one. She was of course pretty used to almost everything pertaining to labor and child birth. She had her own first day stories that made me somewhat at ease. She could tell her protegee was struggling to take it all in at once.
We were allocated lady A, a first time mother-to-be(Primgravida) who was more nervous than I probably was. Having heard several versions of how labor would be, she sat on her bed sweating expecting the worst pains ever. When an examination was done and she was informed her progress was just fine, she shot out, "When will it get worse?" Wrong question to another nervous person. My instructor was there to save the day, she did all she could to reassure her. Lady A seemed to relax for some few minutes. A scream from her neighbor made her get from her bed and walk about. "Will I scream like that?" She asked me. I honestly didn't know if she would scream like that so I just asked her to breathe deeply when a contraction hit her. I felt lame.
"How come she is not screaming?" I asked my instructor. Of course I had learnt each person's pain perception is different but I could not believe a mother with such contractions would be calm, especially a primgravida. I want labor like that, I told myself. No screaming, no embarrassing me, no drama. I am yet to find out what my score on that will be, if I get a chance to undergo labor. What I later discovered is that there is no shame in labor ward. A mother will rip out her clothes and beg for very cold water. Some say the heat is unbearable. Some even advice you as a young lady not be 'cheated' by these men. Others promise to never bear children again, only to find them back two or so years down the line very pregnant. In short, do not seriously take into account 'nasty' words uttered by a mother in labor, but listen anyway.
Back to lady A. She was lucky to have her husband by her side, rubbing her back whenever she was contracting, fanning her when the heat was much, encouraging her and such stuff. Men, it does help to support your woman through labor, but honestly not all of you are cut out for that. If you cannot stand the site of the whole labor thing, take a walk, lurk nearby lest you faint. I have seen some men faint in the delivery suite, later after an inquiry, you understand they got super-scared especially because of the site of blood....
Two hours later, she was having strong contractions, the pain had kicked in full swing. The calm lady began her melodious wail, occasionally turning to her husband and offering a piece of her mind. Just like that, my role model was gone and in her place stood the person I hoped she would not turn into. During all the wails, no tears were produced. They say you feel the pain to the root of your hair, tears are hard to come by, but that is from some individuals. I was instantly fast forwarded to the future and I saw me wailing (louder than her) in labor. As a hopeful mother to be, I was discouraged.
Our mother reached fully dilation after hours and in to the delivery suite we went. Out came the baby along with stuff I am careful not to mention for the sake of my audience. The pain, you could see it in her eyes, was worth it. The beautiful thing that had caused so much grief gave her such joy that you could capture it. She was in tears, grateful to God, the midwives and she was all over again more in love with her husband. I tried so hard not to cry with her when she held her young one. No one can ever take away such a moment from you as a midwife. It is divine, it is one of the best feelings to watch a mother hold her young knowing they are all healthy and alive. They tell you the pain goes away immediately the baby is born and some cannot remember what it was like. As mother, dad and angel bonded, I felt a sense of pride. I had survived the first few hours of my day. I felt confident enough to face the remainder of my day in labor ward. I knew I had not made a mistake in pursuing a course in midwifery.
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