I've just started my Obstetrics/Gynae rotation. I must admit, I am VERY glad to be finished with surgery (although Obs/Gyn has a fair bit of theatre time as well). I had a wonderful two weeks off with my sister in France, and got back ready to start up again.
And it's been a wonderful week! The Obs/Gyn team here are really pleasant to work with, from the midwives, to the junior docs, to the consultants! I have spent time in clinic with docs, midives, and hung out in the labour ward. I've seen two c-sections, and one normal delivery (which is pretty good for my first week; it's hard as a male medical student to get consent to observe a delivery).
The first section I saw was an emergency, and was one of the most harrowing surgeries I have ever seen. And this wasn't because of it being my first one, everyone involved (from the consultant to the midwives, to the peadiatrics team) talked about how this was possibly the worst they'd ever been a part of. But in the end, the baby was born and after a bit of work, started breathing. It was pretty intense, and I'm not sure I've really come to terms with what just happened.
The next section I saw was also an emergency, but not nearly as panicked as the first. And when the baby was born, in excellent condition, as the young father came over to greet his child I must admit I had tears in my eyes. I am really liking this delivering babies thing! And the vaginal delivery was pretty cool!
Today was a slightly lazy day. I was at the hospital until after 1am last night, so I slept in this morning. I'm afraid my internal clock is getting a little bit turned around. Oh well.
Tomorrow, I'll have to really hit the studying. I have a surgery exam coming up in a few weeks, and it's hard studying for something I really have very little interest in, while in the middle of something I am really enjoying! Oh well, it has to be done.
So it'll be a busy couple of weeks. Add to that the two choir concerts I have agreed to sing in Dec, and I'll probably be really needing my vacation.
3 comments:
Hadn't thought about the question of getting permission, as a male, to attend a delivery. Tricky question - I can see why some women would object, but will this eventually lead to other women having no choice but a female O/G? Hmm.
As to the surgery exam - break a leg?
It is tricky, to have a strange man present at what is a very private and intimate moment of a woman's life. And I am extraordinarily grateful to those women who have allowed me to be a part of that moment. It is a tremendous priviledge and responsibility.
It's hardest as a medical student, because I have no real role in the delivery. Junior doctors have less problems, because they have a defined role in the delivery.
I don't think that Obs/Gyn is in danger of becoming a "women only" sort of specialty, mostly because the hours are so bad, but there is a real danger of male medical students not having nearly enough experience with female exams and procedures.
It's a catch-22, patients (of any gender) should be treated by experienced and competent physicians. But that experience and competence can only come through practice. In order for me to become fully trained, there have to be patients willing to allow me to practice on them.
I do think that middle-class squeamishness and/or the perfect-birth-fairy-tale-narrative does come into play. But I can't really say that, because I'm a man (and as such, given the politics of women's health), my opinions on the matter are valueless.
It sounds like you have alot going on along with myself. I am alway proud to see another medial school student getting closer to their dream in the field jut as i am. Many blessings and continued success.
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