Labor and Delivery

So my first week in OB is over. I get one day off a week so I am trying to enjoy it. Mr. thought it was tomorrow so he was going to get all this stuff done today so we could spend the day tomorrow together. The end result I am solo today :) but I kinda like it.

I am working at Parkland hospital where the most babies are born in the world. 1 in 24 texans and 1 in 250 new americans. We have mom's pushing in the hallways, when beds run out... (crazy).

so summary of the first week's thoughts:

the rotation is awesome. I feel so lucky to be able to watch, help with baby's being born everyday. But it is LONNNG hours. I don't know if I like the hospital dynamic as much as I thought I would.

Addison Montgomery is a superhero doctor because no one works emergently on Mothers and Babies. That is why you have OBGYN and Pediatrics (never thought about this). OBGYN's catch the baby and punt to Pediatrics. One of the scary intervals for me, I find myself holding my breath, is the time between that punt and when I hear the baby cry.

new skill - Knot tying. I have learned the two handed knot. Mr. (my eagle scout husband) calls it a lancet knot. I practice it all the time because I don't want to forget.

Looking forward to learning the one handed knot.

My verdict on the viability of Labor and Delivery as a post-PA school job option: I don't think so. It is cool to be able to say you helped 2 babies come into the world today, but it is hours of waiting and then seconds of terror. And the hours are so long.

What I have gotten to do/see: sew up a laceration, watch one vaginal delivery, 3 c-sections, watch and do ultrasounds, use some spanish

What I hope to do: cervical exams, catch a baby, use more spanish, tie a knot!