minkajane

Joining the party late in the game. I will be starting an ADN program on October 24th. I'm nervous, but excited. I should be graduating June 2013. It seems like such a long time, but I'm sure it will go faster than I think.

I asked my school about where I can pump yesterday and she had never been asked that before (which is sadly indicative of how few women breastfeed more than a few weeks). She kept mentioning pumping in the bathroom stall. I am NOT doing that! My only other options were to find an unoccupied classroom and hope that people don't start wandering in while I'm pumping or pump in the cafeteria with my nursing cover.

As of today, I have been officially accepted to nursing school! Since I'm a CMA, I'll be pretty much going straight into clinicals. I am breastfeeding my daughter and will need to pump for her. I'm worried that pumping will be difficult to do around clinicals, especially if I'm going to various sites where there may not be somewhere to pump. I don't mind pumping around people (doing it right now in an open break room with a nursing cover over me) but I worry that I'll be harassed, forbidden, or get lower scores because of the pumping. It will only be 15min 1-2X/day so I'm probably being paranoid, but breastfeeding is very important to me and so is nursing school. I want both to work out! Has anyone dealt with this or know someone who has?

OK, I'm a medical assistant and not a nurse, but I do have a few, a couple from people I know and a couple from the chiropractic clinic I spent some time at. If your chest is tight and you're having shooting pains down your left arm, do not refuse to take your nitro. If the pain gets worse and you're SOB, take your wife up on the offer to go to the ER. Do not insist you just need a good night's sleep. You won't wake up. (My father-in-law, he didn't make it.) If you've had a previous heart attack and know the signs, you probably should know it's not a good idea to drive yourself to the hospital. You won't make it there. (My roommate's dad - they found him in his truck smashed into a tree. The impact was not what killed him.) Don't insist that the cute young MA be the one to hook you up to the decompression bed. She WILL notice the erection and she just might respond by strapping you in a wee bit tighter than is necessary and crank up the settings just a bit more than you need. That erection you're oh so proud of won't last long. If your toddler yanks on the leads for the TENS electrodes, they will come out and we will have to replace them. The next day when she yanks on them again, they will come out again. The lesson here - stop letting your kid yank on the leads! Those things are expensive! Please for the love of all that is good and holy, BATHE before coming in! Laying on the hot pads during treatment makes you sweaty, which does not help the smell. I actually have to TOUCH you to take the electrodes off. Do not try to convert your MA to your religion of choice. Yes, I realize I'm wearing a pentacle and that makes me a filthy heathen, but quoting the bible at me will not change my mind. And I promise my religion doesn't rub off from just being around me - it's not necessary to sing hymns under your breath whenever I'm in the room.

I'm considering grad-entry CNM programs (BA in Women's Studies) at University of Illinois, UCSF, Yale, OSU, and Marquette. I've read some on this thread about Yale that makes me not so sure I even want to bother applying there. Any insight into the other programs would be greatly appreciated!

LOL! I spent 2 1/2 years in Wichita Falls and I know exactly how this guy feels!

I'm studying for my Bachelor's right now, after which I'm hoping to attend OSU's grad-entry MSN nurse-midwifery program. I had been hoping to be a CPM, but that didn't work out. Now I'm wondering about the kinds of restrictions I'll be facing as a CNM. I'm hoping to practice in OH, KY, and/or WV. I'll likely work in a hospital for at least a few years, and I'm eventually hoping to open my own birth center and natural family living shop. If there are any CNMs out there, if you could answer the following questions as to what your practice is like, it would really help me out. Thanks! 1. What kind of birth environment do you practice in the most? (birth center, hospital, home) 2. What kind of "higher-risk" clients are you allowed to take? (breech, VBAC, twins, etc) Do you have to get an OB's approval before taking them? 3. If you disagreed with one of your hospital's policies (like a VBAC ban or handing out formula samples to BFing moms), how would you go about trying to get that changed? 4. Do CNMs in your practice ever do circs? Have you ever felt pressured to assist with or become qualified to perform circs?

My son was cut during my C-section. He was breech, so his butt was right there and it got nicked. He didn't scream (he had to be bagged a bit to breathe) and I never even saw it. My husband was the one who saw it and told me. He says it was just a little nick and by the time I changed his diaper for the first time (3 days old), it was completely gone. No scar or anything.

I live in a high-circ area. That's why I was worried.

Are CNMs expected to do circs? I have read about CNMs doing them before, so I know it's possible, but when I go to school, or once I get out there practicing, will I be pressured to watch/assist/perform circs? I cannot and will not have anything to do with this procedure, whether it's watching, helping, or performing. Will this be a struggle? Thanks!

I'm considering entering a grad entry program myself, so I'm very interested in the experiences of those who have completed similar programs!

Sleep “If he’s still crying hard after ten or fifteen minutes, he may just want to be held for a few minutes and comforted. But then put him right back down and leave him there. Constant holding, jostling, walking the floor, and bouncing may turn him into a demanding little fellow who has to be held to be happy.” “Rocking, walking the floor, or taking him in to bed with you (which is a dangerous habit) may soon become a nightly event – one you’ll wish you’d never started!” Sunbathing “At first, he shouldn’t be left in the direct sunlight for more than a few minutes. As he becomes more and more accustomed to the sunshine, you can increase his period in the sun to 30 or 40 minutes daily.” Solids “Cereal: 3 months Fruit: 3 ½ - 4 months Vegetables: 4 months Meat: 5 months Egg Yolk: 6 months” “Cereal can be started quite readily at 3 months.” “Some doctors prefer to wait and start fruit at 5 months. They’ve been delayed until now because these doctors feel that if fruits are the first solid given, babies tend to refuse other solids when introduced.” A list is given of foods which a 12-18 month old child should not be given, including (among other things) hot fresh breads and rolls, griddle cakes, ready-to-serve cereals, eggplant, green corn, cucumbers, radishes, condiments, spices, ice cream, berries or melon, figs, dates, rhubarb, and fresh fruits, except those mentioned previously. Playing “Three months is a good age at which to begin playpen periods. […] if he gets accustomed to his pen at this early age, he won’t object to being put in it when he’s older.” Vaccines “Acquaint yourself with the immunization programs, but your doctor will decide when and what to give your baby.” Toilet Training “Some mothers boast that their child was trained to have his bowel movement in the potty by the time he was 1 year old. Actually this means that the baby had a fairly regular bowel movement, and the mother was trained to catch it in the potty.” Other Observations There is only one picture of a nursing baby (the breast is not visible in any way). All other pictures include bottles, and most feeding instructions assume the baby is bottle-fed. A pictorial section on boys shows them playing outdoors and building things, while the section on girls shows them playing with dolls and playing house.

Labor “When you recognize the signs of labor beginning, do not eat any solid foods. A full stomach at the time of delivery materially increases the hazards of whatever anesthetic you may receive. Once you think you are in labor, drink only clear liquids such as water, weak coffee, or tea.” “When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll be taken to the ‘Prep’ room. There you’ll be prepared for delivery and examined by your doctor.” “Some hospitals permit the husband to remain with his wife during labor. Others to not.” “…many doctors feel that you will relax more and rest better if your husband is not present.” Birth “This second stage of labor lasts from 30 minutes to two hours for a first baby, and five to 30 minutes in subsequent deliveries.” “Your doctor may perform an episiotomy. This means that he makes a cut in the lady parts to avoid any irregular tears which might be difficult to repair later.” There is no need to be concerned about a forceps delivery. […] There is no danger to the child.” Visitors “Many hospitals allow only husbands to visit the maternity floor. If your hospital has this regulation, remember it’s for the protection of you and the baby.” Breastfeeding “…your hospital may furnish a day’s supply of formula. Take it home even if the baby is breast fed. Excitement of going home and the confusion of visitors may lessen breast milk for that day.” (During menstruation) “Sometime breast milk is not as plentiful during these periods, or the baby may seem restless. If this occurs, give him a bottle for a few feedings. It is good to accustom him to an occasional bottle, anyway, after the first month or so even though he is entirely breast-fed.” “Naturally, you’ll take care to keep your breasts and nipples clean, as infected breasts or infections for your baby may result from carelessness. Wiping the nipples with soap, warm water, and sterile cotton once a day is sufficient. Between nursings sterile, absorbent nursing pads or a freshly laundered white handkerchief may be placed over the nipples…” “Two to five minutes is long enough for each nursing period the first few days.” “Studies indicate a nursing baby will get 75 percent of all the milk that he’s going to get out of the breast after five minutes of nursing. Considering this, it’s probably not necessary to let the baby nurse longer than 15 or 20 minutes on one breast and 5 or 10 minutes on the second breast. Prolonged periods of nursing should be avoided because it’s a waste of time and, at first, will make the breast quite sore and painful.” Weaning “When you decide to discontinue nursing, or when you no longer have enough milk, get in touch with your doctor. He’ll prescribe medication to dry up your milk and will also give you a formula for Baby.” “The earliest age at which you would want to wean the baby completely from the breast or bottle would be about nine months.” Formula Feeding Recipes are included for making formula from whole milk and evaporated milk. “Doctors differ over when to change the baby from formula to homogenized milk. Your doctor may suggest you do it now [4-5 months], or wait until the 5th or 6th months.” “Many doctors find it best to change the baby from formula to homogenized milk at this age [5-8 months] rather than earlier.” Circumcision (This is the entire section) “If your doctor elects to circumcise your boy, it will probably be done between the 1st and 4th day. In circumcision, the movable fold of skin which covers the end of the member is clipped away. There are several reasons for this. “The first, and most obvious, is that it is an aid to cleanliness. The second reason is that it has been shown that men will not develop cancer of the member if they have been circumcised at birth. Third, the incidence of cancer of the cervix of women whose husbands have been circumcised is less than those whose husbands have not been circumcised. Finally, as your son grows older, he will want to be like other boys, most of whom will have been circumcised. However, some doctors are opposed to circumcision. This is usually because the incidence of cancer of the member or cervix affects relatively few persons and, therefore, he feels surgery on every baby is unwarranted. If a circumcision is not performed, your doctor will give you the necessary instructions for cleansing under the foreskin.” Care of the member (This is the entire section) "Care for the circumcision is quite simple. Generally, a bandage or gauze pad won’t stay in place and is really unnecessary. If the wound has a tendency to stick to the diaper, apply a little vaseline to the cut edge. “During the first two or three weeks, it’s important not to forcibly pull back the foreskin, because the cut edges of the wound might pull apart. However, after three weeks, retract the foreskin with each bath to prevent it from adhering to the head of the member. “If the baby is not circumcised, your doctor may tell you to retract the foreskin with each bath. Be sure you pull it forward again after washing the head of the member. If you can’t pull the foreskin forward again, and the member begins to swell, call the doctor immediately.”

Thought you all would appreciate this. I found this book at Goodwill. These are exact quotes from the book with a couple of my comments and explainations tossed in. And we wonder why we get such strange advice from the previous generation about babies and pregnancy! WARNING - long! Three posts. Exercise “…swimming may be harmful.” Smoking and Liquor “If you’re a heavy smoker, doctors advise that you cut down to a great extent, but you needn't quit entirely unless your doctor recommends it." “Ask your doctor whether or not you may drink on occasion.” No negative affects towards the fetus are mentioned, simply the fact that it adds calories without adding nourishment. Sex “Refrain from intercourse altogether during the last six weeks of pregnancy.” Weight Gain “Excess weight may cause complications during your pregnancy, at the time of delivery, and is terribly hard to lose afterwards! The up-to-date doctor therefore ‘weighs in’ his patients when they come for their regular examinations, and in most cases insists that they don’t gain more than 20 pounds all told. Doctors are usually real sticklers about weight gain, so take his advise seriously or you’ll be taking a scolding instead. This means that without eating any more, and generally less than you did before, you must include all the food elements your baby needs for normal development.” Nutrition “A poor prenatal diet also can affect your ability to nurse the baby.” “You should have a quart of milk a day.” “Reject food that’s highly spiced or seasoned.” “If you haven’t already done so, you should form the habit of going to the toilet every morning after breakfast and staying there for some time.” Supposedly this prevents constipation. Strict menus and guidelines are included for what a pregnant woman should eat each day. Preparing to Breastfeed “The nipples should be washed every morning, with mild soap and water. Then dash cold water over them lightly to toughen them.” (When colostrums begins to leak) “If the fluid stays on the nipples, it may make them sore. They should be washed often with tepid boiled water.” Working During Pregnancy “If your appearance is important in your work, you’ll want to quit, or to arrange to work at home after that.” “Don’t plan to return to work until your baby is at least 6 weeks old, and not then if you are nursing him.” Prenatal Testing “…your doctor will check on your pelvic measurements. This is to determine whether your pelvis…is of adequate size for the baby to pass through.” “Although you may be reluctant to spend the money on any special tests, your doctor has your best interests in mind when he suggests them. Don’t hesitate to follow his recommendations.” Anesthesia During Delivery “Each doctor has many things to consider before deciding which anesthetic to give his patient. Remember whatever your doctor decides to do, he does because it is best for you and your baby. When the time comes, just relax and do what he tells you to do.” “If the anesthetic is of the inhalation type, such as nitrous oxide-oxygen, you will be unconscious, or nearly so, from then on.” Morning Sickness (After recommending a special high-carb diet to curb nausea) “When the nausea is overcome…you may cut out the excess carbohydrates and lose some of the weight gained on the diet to overcome morning sickness. In this way, while you may gain a lot at first, you’ll be able to keep your weight within bounds…” Baby’s Room “Should you have just one bedroom, plan to put him in it for his naps. When you go to bed, wheel or carry his bassinet out into the room next to yours if it’s warm enough.” Delivery of the Placenta “Once the detachment has occurred, your doctor will express it by firmly pressing on your abdomen.” “This happens anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes after the birth.”

My nurses probably thought I was nuts after I had my C-section. I don't respond well to pain meds. The morphine made me throw up all afternoon and the other stuff they gave me made me loopy. My husband left to be with the baby while I was in recovery and I threw up in a plastic tub. I couldn't get out of bed, so I needed someone to come dump it out. I had no idea what to say, so I buzzed the nurses station and said "I threw up again. Just thought you should know..." I shudder to think of the crazy stuff I said on those pain meds that I don't remember now.