Clinical Update: October 29, 2015

Happy Autumn!
It's what Winnie the Pooh would call "a blustery day" in northern Utah today, leaves and clouds blowing around in the wind, rain will arrive before too long and hopefully clear out in time for trick or treating this weekend. 

photo courtesy of Wikimedia

I hope you're doing well--just wanted to send a few quick reminders and notifications:

1. Upcoming Events
We have 3 upcoming Clinical Rounds in November and they all look fascinating. Learn from real cases, taught by real student midwives! Come to Clinical Rounds!
*Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 11:00am MST: Ananda Morehead-Retained Membranes
*Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 12:00pm MST: Hollie Moyer-Anti-C Isoimmunization in pregnancy
*Wednesday, November 18 at 11:00am MST: Rachel Maxim-Velamentous Cord Insertion

2. Guests at Clinical Rounds
While we're on the topic--sometimes preceptors or other non-MCU students are interested in coming to Rounds. This is just fine, but please, rather than just giving them the login information, ask them to contact me via my external email: ClinicalDean@midwifery.edu
I can give them the login info and make sure they know what to expect and how to participate appropriately. We want this to be a learning experience for our students, first and foremost, and include other students and midwives where we can.

3. Clinical Training Opportunities
Several new clinical training opportunities are posted on the bulletin board "Clinical Training Opportunities"--check them out!

4. State by State Project
We have 9 states up at http://midwiferystatebystate.blogspot.com/ now, and I have 8 more (Illinois, West Virginia, Indiana, Virginia, Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Washington) in process. I would love to get Oregon, New Mexico, Wyoming and Idaho to finish the Western US. Then we can fill in the Midwest (which is looking GREAT--thanks!) and get to work on the southern states and New England. If you'd like to help, the format is as follows:

So You Want to be a Midwife in …. <name of state>
Licensure/Registration: <what credential is offered, if any>
Application Website: <a link to the government website>
Additional requirements beyond CPM credential: <short explanation>
Other Things to Know: <links to state association or advocacy organization if available, other things to be aware of>

Thank you for being fantastic students and people,
Sarah Carter

Clinical Update: Every Mother Counts

This isn't a personal blog. I don't usually talk about my personal experiences or feelings here. But I'm going to today, because this is too important not to talk about.

When I was about 17, my dad took me to see the movie Schindler's List. He said, "We don't usually see movies like this (my parents were very strict about media consumption) but I feel like we have a responsibility, as people of German descent, to see this, to bear witness. Because the Holocaust happened, and because our ancestors were part of it, we have a responsibility to bear witness and make sure it never happens again." It was a sobering thought for a high schooler who grew up in a safe, comfortable world.

So why do I bring this up?

Because one of my colleagues shared this link with me:

http://dooce.com/2015/10/21/the-women-who-inspire-me-to-run/

and reminded me that once again I find myself part of a privileged class, bearing witness as racially biased, systemic violence occurs to women and their children in the US and around the world. And I have a choice--to turn away and pretend I don't see or am unable to help, or to try to intervene, to do something to save lives and prevent harm.

It's tempting to turn away. It's frightening and uncomfortable to see this happening. It hurts and it is frightening to look at this, to acknowledge that I might be even a small part of the problem. It would be easier to turn away. It would be easier not see.

But I see. If you're willing to see too, you can watch the video below, or visit:

http://www.everymothercounts.org/pages/giving-birth-in-america

Today, I'm donating my income, the money I make--just today, to help. That's something I can do. It's not an enormous, big step, but it's something I can do right now, today. I'd encourage you to look at what you can do, whether it's volunteering in your own community, donating to a scholarship fund to help us get more midwives of color serving women of color, or helping Every Mother Counts.

This matters. We have a responsibility to mothers, as women, as human beings to bear witness and to hear our conscience voices. We have a responsibility to help. They need our help.

Overcoming Difficulties in Clinical Work

This helpful post comes to us from Jen Bertagnole, who will be graduating soon!

Clinical work can be rewarding and difficult.  What better way to solidify the knowledge you are gaining through schoolwork by putting it into practice in your clinical experiences?  Many times, students excitedly anticipate a clinical placement, only to encounter disheartening difficulties that can side-track them in their progress.  Here are a few suggestions in overcoming difficulties in clinical placements.

1. Be honest with yourself, your family, MCU and your preceptor about your readiness for an apprenticeship.  It was difficult for me to get my first preceptor to accept me as a student.  Four days before I was to finally start working with her, my adult stepson was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I agonized about putting off a clinical placement that had been so difficult for me to secure.  However, I knew that it would be nearly impossible for me to juggle clinical work with this unexpected situation and everything else in my life.  I sent my preceptor an email, explaining the situation.  She was exceptionally understanding and allowed me to start my clinical work a couple of months later when my son’s health was more stable.

2.  Reach out to MCU and your preceptor when a life change occurs.  This can be a health issue, miscarriage, move, a change in marital status, death of a friend or family, etc.  Do not let pride, embarrassment, etc. keep you from being extremely honest with those that are helping you achieve your goals of becoming a midwife.  Even if you do not think the life event will impact your clinical or didactic work, REACH OUT.  Contact your house mother if you need help in doing this.   She can either help you reach out to teachers, the clinical dean, your preceptors, etc. or she can just touch base for a period of time to see how the life change is affecting your clinical work.

3. Look and think outside of the box.  I had wanted to apprentice with a local birth center but could not afford the fee they charged students.  For months I hoped for a way to make it happen.  Finally, I got the nerve to contact them and asked if I could work with them during the holidays for a reduction in of their fees.  To my surprise, they eagerly agreed, as out-of-town students rarely want to come during the holiday period.  If you never ask, the answer is always no.  Do not hold yourself back!!

4. Address problems in your preceptorship as they arise, with your preceptor in an honest, open way, away from clinical work, if possible. Do not take things personally, even if they are meant personally. A crucial part of your learning is knowing how to communicate in a professional, appropriate way. If you are concerned about your ability to do this, consider taking COMM 114: Communication Skills prior to beginning your clinical work.

5. Know ethical and unethical behavior, how to address ethical questions and the laws of the state in which you are apprenticing.  Courtney Everson is an excellent resource for discussing ethical issues that you may be uncertain about how to manage.  While you are certainly accountable to your preceptor, do not forget your responsibility to the client and (just as important), to yourself.  If you are uncertain about ethics and the laws regarding midwifery care, consider taking SOSC302, Ethics & the Law in Midwifery, before beginning your clinical work.

So often students eagerly look forward to beginning their clinical experiences without considering the difficult work that it can sometimes be.  While it is certainly rewarding, be honest with yourself about your readiness to add such responsibilities to your current life.  Being aware of some of the difficulties one can encounter during a clinical placement and how to address them can help you better navigate this exciting time in your midwifery career.