Running the clinic

On Thursday of last week we had a bit of time before the clinic began so my mentor and I sat and went through my book that I have to get signed off during my time on placement. We sat and talked about what we'd already covered and what I already knew and looked at what I didn't know. It really made me think about what we do and why and made me feel good about the things I had learnt along the way.

So my mentor then told me she was going to let me "run" the clinic. Of course she wasn't going anywhere but whereas previously she'd do the writing and most of the talking, whilst I did the urinalysis, blood pressure and we both did the palpation, this time I was going to do the lot and she'd check my palpations intermittently...particularly those that were worried about the size of their baby or had babies in awkward positions previously.

We saw around 20 women and had barely a break in between. I find I work better when it is like this - it seems to solidify my learning so much more. I think I got almost every palpation correct and I felt like I was getting to grips with measuring the height of the bump too. It really made a difference as to how I came across to the women as well I think as I am sure they can pick up when I am more uncertain about things.
For more information about what happens at antenatal clinic, you might find it useful to look at my previous post Antenatal Clinic.

Another part of being a Community Midwife is the postnatal visits to new Mums in their homes. There are three guaranteed visits that all women get. The first visit is the day after the woman and baby get home from the hospital. Around day five we visit to perform the heel prick test on the newborn and if the baby is breastfed we also weigh the baby. The final visit is usually on day ten where we discharge the woman to the Health Visitors care. Women are covered by maternity care until day twenty eight but most women won't require this. It may also be that women get more than the three visits during those first ten days but it does depend on what their needs are. For example, a lady who has just had a third baby and is comfortable with all she is doing, recovering well may well not need anymore visits. Whereas a first time Mum who is getting to grips with breastfeeding and recovering from a section would benefit from more visits. And it's not as simple as saying well she's a third time Mum she won't need us, because she might, so it's looked at from an individual basis.

We ask the woman about her bleeding and how she is feeling in general. The reason for this is because sometimes after giving birth there can be retained products - parts of placenta or membranes. The uterus may expel them naturally but the last thing we want is for the woman to get an infection. If the Mum has increased bleeding combined with a temperature then we'd be palpating the uterus to check it's contracting down as expected. If the uterus is "spongy" then it's an indication that something could be going on and we'd send the Mum and baby back into the hospital to be checked over. Sometimes women have heavier bleeding if they've been more active, or just after they have been breastfeeding or also when she gets up after a long period of lying still so heavier bleeding on it's own is not an indication of anything to worry about. Similarly it's quite normal to have a temperature when the milk comes in so it's vital to look at the whole picture.

We also ask the women about their toilet habits....yes Midwives are obsessed with wee and poo! The reason for asking is quite simple. The bladder, uterus and bowel are all very close together and the bladder can be damaged and lead to urine retention. It is common for many women not to have a bowel movement until day 4 or 5 but we ask about it because women can be very nervous about it, particularly if they have stitches. So it provides the opportunity to reassure them. Also we want to avoid women becoming constipated and so we can talk about ways to avoid this.

We also ask whether or not their breasts are comfortable whether or not they are breastfeeding. This is because almost every woman will have milk come in regardless of whether they choose to breastfeed or not. This gives breastfeeding mothers to talk about any concerns they may have about position and latch, frequency of feeding and so on. We can also talk to bottle feeding mothers about how to cope with the pain and the engorgement as quickly as possible. We also like to ensure that women are eating, drinking and sleeping  - well sleeping as well as they can considering they have a newborn. The body needs food, water and rest in order to produce milk but also the women need the opportunity to recover from the birth.

We ask about how the women are feeling emotionally. We can reassure women that it's normal for emotions to be all over the place after giving birth but we also want to be aware of any women who might be at risk of postnatal depression. Postnatal women are at risk of deep vein thrombosis so we ask if they have any pains in their legs and this is particularly important with women who have had a Cesarean section. We also make sure that women are aware of their postnatal exercises.

Of course we also check the baby over. We look at their temperature, frequency of feeding, whether or not the cord has come off yet, how their nappies are and how frequently they are needing changing, and we also look at their skin. Newborn babies often have very dry skin which is normal but we can advise women on what to do to prevent it becoming sore, cracked and potentially infected. We recommend olive oil as it's a natural substance and won't harm a baby's delicate skin. The other thing we have to look out for is any bruising or fingertip marks. I am thankful that this is not something I have seen.

So what does it all mean?

You get back from your appointment and glance through your notes and there are all these abbreviations that you have no idea what they mean. I'm going to now do my best to explain some of the most commonly used abbreviations or terms but if there is one that you've had that you want to know..just leave me a message and I'll do my best!

 
ANC - antenatal clinic - may be used to let you know where you next appointment is.
ARM - artificial rupture of membranes which is when they break your waters for you. Generally done to encourage/speed along progress in labour.
BBA - born before arrival. Those babies that don't want to wait for the midwife to arrive or the labour takes Mum completely off guard and end up being born in a car park (mentioning no names here). Anyway it means that no midwife was in attendance for the birth.
BMI - body mass index. Something that most of us don't like but it is your weight in kgs divided by height in metres squared. A healthy BMI is 20-25.
BP - blood pressure. We all know it's recorded but do you know what it actually tells us? The top figure, the larger number is the systolic measurement. This tells us the maximum amount of pressure during contraction of the ventricles. The lower figure is the diastolic measurement and this tells us the pressure in the ventricle at rest.
BPD - seen this on your scan reports? This is the biparietal diameter which is essentially a measurement of your baby's head. The parietal eminences are the two "points" (it may help to feel your own skull lol)  on the top of your head - one on the left and one on the right. The sonographer can use this measurement to estimate within about a week, the gestational age of the baby.
CRL - again seen on scan reports. This is the crown rump length....exactly as it sounds it is the measurement of the baby from the top of the baby's skull down to the bottom of the spine. Also used to asses the gestational age of the baby.
CTG - cardiotocograph. The machine that is used to monitor your baby. Either in the fetal assessment unit or during labour.
ECV - external cephalic version. This is the manoeuvre they use to try and turn a breech or transverse baby into the head down position.
Engagement - this can be very confusing as it depends on the midwife writing it as to which way they mean. Some will write 2/5ths and this will mean that they can feel 2/5ths of the baby's head, meaning the baby is 3/5ths engaged. Others will mean that they can feel 3/5ths and so is 2/5ths engaged. One thing I would say is, 2/5ths or 3/5ths it doesn't really matter. What matters is there is a degree of engagement. The baby's head may well not engage any further anyway if there is some of the waters in front of their head, blocking them from dropping further into the pelvis. 
FHHR - I am sure most of you have worked out that this means the baby's heart has been heard but can you work out exactly what it stands for? It means fetal heart (heard and regular).
FMF - fetal movements felt.
Gravida - either a primigravida or a multigravida. A primigravida is a woman who is pregnant for the first time and a multigravida is a woman who is pregnant for the second or more time.
GBS - group B streptococcus. This is a bacteria found in either the rectum or the vagina of approximately a quarter of all pregnant women. It can cause an infection in the baby, and in rare cases death of a baby so it is commonly treated with antibiotics during labour to reduce those risks.
GTT - glucose tolerance test. The test that checks for gestational diabetes. It is more commonly found in women who have a high BMI and/or a family history of diabetes.
IOL - induction of labour. 
IUGR - intrauterine growth restriction. This basically means that the baby is anticipated to be a small baby...where perhaps the baby has stopped growing, or is growing more slowly which can indicate that the placenta isn't working as well as it should be.
LMA (RMA) - left (right) mentoanterior . This would be in reference to the position your baby is in. So the mento refers to the baby's chin; so in this case the chin is to the left of the pelvis and facing towards the front of the woman's pelvis and the baby is going to be born face first. This would only be detected by a vaginal examination, as externally you cannot feel which position the baby's head is in.
LMP (RMP) - left (right) mentoposterior. As above but the chin is facing to the back of the woman's pelvis. Again would still be a case of the baby being born face first.
LOA (ROA) - left (right) occipitoanterior. This, whether left or right, is the more ideal position for the baby to be in. It means that the occiput, which is the bone on the very back of the baby's skull, is facing towards the front of the woman's pelvis. The baby has tucked it's head right down onto it's body and is therefore presenting the smallest diameter to be born. (Imagine you are putting on a jumper with a tight neck, you wouldn't try and push your face through, you tuck your head down onto your chest)
LOP (ROP)- left (right) occipitoposterior. As above but the baby's occiput
LSP (RSP)- left (right) sacroposterior. This means that the baby is in a breech position and facing to the back of the woman.
MSU - midstream specimen of urine
NAD - nothing abnormal detected....always good to see
NT - nuchal translucency. This is the part of the scan when they are screening for Downs Syndrome and other disorders. They measure the skin at the fold at the back of the neck. This is most commonly used alongside a blood test to give a more accurate risk factor.
PG - prostaglandin. The hormone that is used in induction of labour.
PPH - postpartum haemorrhage. Bleeding to excess following the delivery of the baby.
SFD - small for dates.
SOB - shortness of breath.
SPD - symphisis pubis diastasis.Causes moderate to severe pelvic pain during pregnancy due to the relaxin hormone.
SRM - spontaneous rupture of membranes.
SVD - spontaneous vaginal delivery.
Transverse - the baby instead of being head down or even breech, is instead lying across the abdomen. This can result in a more unusual shaped bump. Fairly obviously if the baby is in this position at term, and any attempts to turn the baby have failed, this would mean a Cesarean section as the baby simply won't fit into the pelvis. This can often happen in women who have an unusual shape to their uterus e.g some women have a heart shaped uterus.
UTI - urinary tract infection.

I have no doubt missed plenty out but please do shout and I will try and clear them up for you!