Vaginas aren't for cutting!

Bet that got your attention!!! For the most part I am going with the flow here, after all I am the guest and they are so generous to allow me into their hospital. But there is one territory that I just won't vernture into. Yes, if it was a life or death situation I could do an episiotomy but I REFUSE, utterly refuse to take a pair of dull ( as in can hardly cut an umbilical cord with them) scissors to a womans vagina (and into her gluteous muscles!!!) And I swear if I have to hear one more midwife ask if a patient needs "an epis" (as they casually call them) I might flip my lid. I have found my place here and it is to save women's vaginas one at a time. My day brought 3 more deliveries!!! First one up was about 15 minutes after I arrived this morning. She was a primip who delivered an 8 pound baby without any tears!!! If it had been up to the midwife they would have cut her, and I found it deeply satisfying that I saved her vagina!! I'm serious about this if you can't tell that from past posts. They keep telling me that primipa (first time moms) all need episiotomies, and I'm starting to argue the point and prove it to them. I'm not trying to change how they do things, but I am letting them know that when it comes to the patients I deliver there will not be unwanted episiotomies done unless they are very necessary!!!

So, that is enough on that subject. I am amazed how quickly I have adapted to all the medical stuff, and surprised that I have found enemas very useful (gasp!!! Never thought I would say that) but they do seem a better option than the drinking of castor oil and somewhat gentler on the moms. Other skills that I was afraid of - IVs, cathetars, suctioning babies, cathetars....no problem any more!!! IVs were one of the things I couldn't grasp at home, but after having done a few I have jumped that hurdle with ease...yah me!! I can't believe how much I have learned and grown in just 2 weeks. It seems, though, that we have been here for much longer!

Transportation has been a challenge the last few days, so yesterday I just decided to walk home since it is hard to get a bus from the hospital to the house (by the time the busses reach the hospital they are always full!) So I took on the walk yesterday (about 3 and a half miles I think) pepper spray held tightly in my hand. Except for a mangy dog who debated trying a taste of my bony frame I didn't have any incidence. I arrived home feeling proud of myself! The down side of all the pride I am feeling in myself though is that exhaustion has begun to set in. I am the only one in my family who has adjusted to this time zone, which means they are all up til midnight when I am trying to go to sleep...ugggg!!

Today Kevin took the kids into town to swim at the pool. They all needed to get out of the house, and it allowed me a guilt free day to work overtime at the hospital. Well, that is about it. I will try to post pics of the hospital in the next day or two but I am currently on Kevin's laptop and the pictures are not.