My midterm is tomorrow, so today is a non-stop study fest. (Yesterday was a failed non-stop study fest... I did manage several hours though!)
When I was relearning the shoulder dystocia material I was so completely shocked by the Zavanelli Maneuver... wherein you put the baby's head back into the vagina. I just kept re-reading it like no way... there's no way... just in awe, lol.
Now I'm relearning breech delivery and I am equally astounded by the maneuver wherein you allow a baby to simply hang from the vagina for a few seconds if you couldn't reach the chin of the baby to flex her head. Here is a great pictorial (with commentary) of a vaginal breech delivery... it's the first place I've seen good pictures of this step in vaginal breech delivery. I am freaked out by the pics of the baby hanging there!
I can not see myself doing vaginal breech deliveries on purpose, although I have absolutely no problem with referring a woman who wants one. But at the same time it reminds me of "without providers, there is no choice." I have a very clear stance on believing in woman's right to choose abortion- meaning I would provide abortions if in the position to do so... but what about breech birth? If there are no providers willing to do it, there really isn't choice (with a skilled professional available), right? We don't spend much, if any, time discussing these issues in midwifery school... we spend our time with the science and the skills... which, honestly, is overwhelming in and of itself, so I understand. But I can only hope (and, really, I think it's the case) that my peers are thinking about all of these things in their own time as well.
I am dreading/stalling on bleeding and infections... sigh... I need an outdoor break and pep talk, then maybe I'll be ready....
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
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5 comments:
Glad this is open again. I can't remember how I first found your blog-but I have followed your story (except when the blog was private). You are an inspiration to all of us. If I were gonna have more babies, I would want you to deliver. But, no more babies in my future.
Glad you are back-
Deb
Procrastination is so contagious isn't it?...How are you feeling? Don't let midterms stress you out...just try and imagine your life 1 year from now (unless that stresses you out more!) That seems to help me a lot.
Girl, it depends. Sometimes thinking about a year from now gives me joy, other times it depresses me!
Just remember about the Zavanelli maneuver - it's a last ditch attempt to get the baby out. The baby more than likely will not survive once you get to this point either. I have never seen this maneuver done, but have been on a very bad shoulder dystocia that was this > < close to a Zavanelli. There was a lot of "oh $hits" being said during that delivery. And a heck of a lot of praying!
LOL I could see myself being the one saying "oh shit" over and over again, that or "oh my God, oh my God!"
And yes I will remember that the maneuver is the absolute last ditch effort... in fact I don't think my mind would even register it first since I'm so unbelieving of how it works, lol!
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