Postnatal Ward

Good morning Bloggers

I arrived on the Postnatal Ward today and was greeted by staff.....Its funny when you get introduced as the student from England.....you receive mixed emotions.....a range from.....MMMmmm why is she hear...(maybe to watch over us???)....to....WOOOowww.....she from England...(and the posh voice starts to take a roll....)...either way....once again received well and teaching proceeds...Fact!!!!I'm sure I've said it before.,...these women click into a teaching roll anytime your near them....'it's great'.
So the ward comprises of 24 beds with a staff average of 2-4 qualified staff. The day starts with handover then prayer.....which I am blending right in to....I wonder why no one has asked me to pray yet???Lol...
Tasks are delegated amongst the staff by the Senior sister. The first task was the baby bath....one baby is picked...(with the permission of the mother of course...) and taken to the end of the long ward  ..where there is a table with all that is needed to facilitate this 'show bath'. (It reminded me of when I used to be a Health care assistant and had to carry out show baths....many moons ago...lol).
The women sit attentively and watch the guidance on how to bath their baby...(Olive oil and water...the baby's skin and hair, comes out looking gorgeous!!!)Then another member of staff at the same table gives the talk about the postnatal ward they are on.....she covers postnatal clinic appointments after discharge, illness after discharge (if there are any problems with the women or their baby after discharge up until 6 weeks, they return to this ward ), Care of Episiotomy/Lacerations...('Sitz Bath' which should be carried out twice daily....A small basin...large enough to sit in....enough water to cover the  perinium...and as warm as the woman can tolerate....and 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 pint of water.....Fact!!!!Jamaican salt is like....quadruple strength to are salt......OOOUUUCCCHHHhhhh!!!!) , Bowel care....(Women are to avoid becoming constipated!!!), Sexual intercourse...(recommended none till after 6 weeks...), Family planning, exercises, Outpatient dressing clinic, Infant feeding, Diet, Rest, Hygiene, baby immunisation, Registering baby...(All babies must be registered before the mother leaves the hospital...a woman attends the ward Mon-Sun, the cost is $300), discussion about the Child health Passport...(equivalent to our red book..) and finally the Puerperal service is offered (care in community for those women in the attachment area. All women are given a leaflet on the above talk.
Then the general care for the women is carried out. The doctors progress with their round and postnatal care is given. The ward runs smoothly with every member of staff caring out their daily duties....the relationship between the staff and patients is good and almost comical to watch as they banter with each other whilst dealing with issues that arises....Fact!!!All women are referred to as 'Mommy or Mom'.
Thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

Blog later

Miss P xx