Communication Assignment - Description

[LorelNicolette]

I'm in the process of drafting my reflective communication assignment for the doula certification I am going for. 

I'll post the sections in this journal as I complete them.  The required order is description, feelings, actions, learning and application. 

Today I've completed the description section.  In this section I'm supposed to describe the event objectively.  This includes any expectations and goals.

Let me know if you see improvements that can be made.  Thanks! 

Description

I am going to describe the birth of my first baby who was born in 2007.  His estimated due date was June 13^th.  His actual birth date ended up being June 9^th.  I've gave birth to a daughter just shy of three years later. 

My expectations were to have a vaginal birth.  I was interested in un-medicated birth, but was not confident about being able to accomplish it.  I decided that I would get the epidural only if I needed it.  I did however want to go into labor on my own since I had heard that induced labors were more painful.  Beyond that, my mindset was that I would go with the flow since I didn't know what to expect pain-wise.

The certified nurse midwife who I had been seeing was concerned about the size of the baby.  A few weeks prior to having him, she had me see one of the obstetricians in the practice to assess the risk of giving birth vaginally.  The baby was estimated to be less than 9lbs at birth so the doctor gave the green light to proceed.

A week prior to my estimated due date my water started leaking.  As I was getting out of bed, I heard a pop and water started trickling out.  It wasn't gushing so I scheduled an appointment with my midwife.  She tested the fluid, and it came back negative for amniotic fluid.  She insisted that it was urine and sent me home. 

I decided at this point it would be best that I not return to work.  I suspected that my water had in fact started leaking, and I took it as an opportunity to try and get things going.  I walked a lot, and also did exercises on the birth ball.  Shortly after, I lost my mucus plug.  Then after a pretty long walk my water started leaking again.  Instead of going back to the OB office, I had my mother-in-law take me to the hospital. 

Again, my midwife tested the fluids and this time it came back positive for amniotic fluid.  I was admitted, and pitocin was set up to induce labor that evening.    

My body responded well to the induction.  Once the early morning came things started getting really intense.  I was having difficulty coping and my husband was unsure about how to help so I accepted the pain meds, and then the epidural.   I was only 2 cm, but the midwife suspected that my body might progress once relaxed.  She was right; labor progressed well until I hit 8 cm.  From there, it took about 4 hours until I was complete and ready to push.  The nurses were very clear about when and how to push.  They had me hold my breath, count to ten and then push with all my might.  During this stage there were some questionable moments where I had to roll on my side and take in some oxygen due to my son's decelerating heart rate.  Despite that, two and a half hours later I pushed my beautiful, glistening son into the world!

After a brief time of bonding and an attempt at nursing the hospital staff whisked my son away so that they could weigh him, and do whatever they do in the nursery.  I didn't get him back in my arms for at least 2-3 more hours. 

When we were finally reunited I attempted to nurse again.  Only this time getting him to latch on proved more difficult.  We roomed in that night, but kept getting bothered by the hospital staff checking on us every hour or two.  We had few opportunities to work on nursing and bond the following day due to the constant flow of family, friends and hospital staff.   Fortunately, once we were home we were able to work out the kinks with breastfeeding. 

[used2chaos]

Jul. 29, 2011 at 4:10 PM

I think it's fine...but I'd like to have more of an ending to this section.  Maybe finish with getting him back from the nurses?  

[sherriet]

Jul. 29, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Yes, please add more.  It feels unfinished.  

[LorelNicolette]

Jul. 29, 2011 at 5:12 PM

I updated it. 

Keep in mind that this part is going to feel a bit unfinished until I tie it all together later on with feelings at the time and now, my options at the time, what I learned from the experience and how I plan on applying it.

(Original Poster)

[parrishsky]

Jul. 29, 2011 at 5:42 PM

Very good Lorel. Can't wait to read the others !