4 months

I’ve been working at the women’s health centre for four months now.

Totally new perspective on things.

So much to learn.

not because things are unknown, but because experiencing a women’s story never ends.

Forever changing.

Many perspectives.

Always learning.

Stories.

A major difference between my training to be a midwife in the states and now, is that where I would identify abnormalities, run tests, and diagnose, and then refer as necessary. I now am the one to also treat and follow up with care.

For the most part.

Obviously cardiac and what not conditions need referrals, but we are able to care holistically for so many women. And by holistically we mean we can care for women in all aspects, working with specialists when needed.

Working with a nurse practitioner for prenatal clients, enables our moms to be seen and get treated for any ailments outside the midwives scope of practice quickly. 

For the first time I work in a place where the physicians refer women’s health needs and prenatal care to the midwives and nurse practitioners.

We have the time to spend with women, however much time they may need. 

We have a womens’ helper, who guides women spiritual, culturally and in times of need. She will transport women that need rides and works with our health navigator to aid women with whatever complex systemic needs they may have. We have a psychologist. Ultrasound. and amazing admin staff.

We’ve had 3 births so far in our birthing room. Two water babies, and one that came quickly on the land. come the fall, most of our births are planned to be in the community. 

Everyday is different.

On Monday I got the results of my Canadian national exam. The last barrier to my unrestricted license. 

I passed. 

My license application has gone back to council to remove the restriction, and grant a full license. The registrar said I would know by next Wednesday.

My safety net of the last four months is being removed.

Time to fly solo.

…..

of course I have the collaborative knowledge of the women’s health centre behind me.

#luckymidwife

after the exam

it's a drizzly sunday morning. perfect for writing.

i've been m.i.a. for the last bit.

why?

living life. settling in. working hard. and planting my garden!

that last bit, some will know is true happiness for this vegabond. when you move around as much as i have, a garden isn't possible.

roots. i've planted roots!
****
work.

i'm loving the "job".

i get paid, so i guess we will call it that. but when it's your weekend and you can't wait to get back to work, you know you've done something right.

i wanted to do a big post on the career fair i went to, but i never took photos of my booth, so...
but yes, i went to a career fair at one of the local schools. there were lots of other, definitely more career related booths, but i was the lady handing out condoms and information on sexual health and STI's.

births.

one of the most exciting happenings is that we have had our first birth in our new little birthing unit!

finally women who chose, can give birth without having to drive the additional hour to the city. we are already getting calls from women an hour + away about wanting to birth with us. i hope the hospital is saving their pennies to hire another midwife!

overall births have come in spurts, with a lull in between. a much slower pace then what i'm used to, and something that i'm not minding. i've been granted privileges at the hospital in the city and am getting all of those small details slowly worked out.

this fall is shaping up to be busy. and exciting. i can't wait until we transition into attending most of our births in our community hospital. it's wonderful that the family doctors are so supportive. we have a few that worked in rural scotland, so they are used to midwife-led birthing units. and the younger doctors, well they are eager to learn.

the exam.

this is the big one.
on thursday i wrote the national midwifery exam.
now to wait for the results. 5-6 weeks. bleurg.

failure is not an option.

the future is wide open, but the present moment is filled with clarity and all the rewards i could have ever imagined after this long journey to becoming a midwife. the fact that i returned to where i grew up, after all the travelling i've done, all the places i've been, the fact that i have returned, and feel at peace. i'm not sure there is anything better than that.

until next time...

first month

i'm at the end of my first month working as a midwife in a women's health clinic at a rural hospital.

the first week included three births, one of which was my sister's.

into the fire.

this position is much different than any of my experiences during my training.

i see prenatal's most every day, most of who's births i'll not be attending. working within a funded health care system also allows women access to testing and screening that they need. and access to prescriptions. this is one of the biggest transitions that i'm making. writing prescriptions.

i have a great support network with the women that i work with here. another midwife, nurse practitioners, a psychologist, and two women's helpers that are probably one of the most important part of our care team. most of the women who come into our clinic are in shared care with an OB in the city, but it's easier and more comfortable for them to see us.

i'm grateful for all that i'm learning. there are some significant social and medical problems that affect the women who come to our clinic. hepatitis C, HIV, domestic violence, racism, drug addition, food insecurity, transportation. but there are also women of all ages who utilize our clinic. yesterday i sat with an 84 year old woman. she just needed to talk. i wasn't advising on her health care. just there to listen.

one of the most exciting parts of this new position is the low-risk birthing unit we are opening. i can't wait. i live about three minutes by car to the hospital and once the weather clears up and the snow melts i'll be able to ride my bike to work!

hello, call the midwife!


#mynewreality