I have investigated a few areas and put them into my online journal. This is invaluable and I should continue to do this.
I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent on the antenatal ward. The variety was confusing, but posed a good challenge. I achieved some consistency in working with the same women. Of particular note was my learning curve in applying the CTG to a woman pregnant with twins at 25-26 weeks gestation. I was also able to follow the mother through with her ultrasound and her caesarean section. The caesarean section was for IUGR of one twin who had absent end diastolic flow on doppler which was then changed to reversed end diastolic flow.
The experience that day was invaluable. To see a woman through an antenatal complication who then delivered, and knowing that in about two weeks the babies will still be in the neonatal unit, I will have the opportunity for real continuity of care in some respects.
Areas I need to investigate further are pre-eclampsia, blood results, infections, haemorrhage, and embolisms.
I managed to accomplish care according to my objectives in blood glucose monitoring, CTG monitoring, blood results, infections, pre-eclampsia, and ultrasound.
One thing that is glaringly obvious to me from working in a high-risk area is how much I don't know. I've never doubted whether midwifery is the right thing for me to be doing, but sometimes I wonder if I really know enough to be competent. I guess I am really relating that to a hospital setting. However, knowing the type of person I am, I like to be competent in all areas of a field I am working in to the best of my ability.
One thing I dislike is the conflict between the hospital and the independent midwives. Working through the post-graduate programme at the hospital would certainly prepare me better in those relationships as long as I don't lose track of normal.
