Revision begins again

Revision is one of those things that appears as a set annual event, if not bi-annual in rubbish years. It appears at various points in the year, annoyingly spanning the Christmas period by some time either side, and takes over your life. You attempt to eat, sleep and read whatever the subject is, and when you do allow yourself time away you spend all that time worrying you should be working, or fearing that you have forgotton the things already covered. And the worst thing.....there is no end before the exam itself. Ugh.

The more I read about midwifery at the moment the more I don't know. It's complex as for a normal pregnancy, labour and postpartum period the level of knowledge is far more confined. However clearly you are constantly screening in your head to identify those who may fall outside 'normal'. Just the range of infections that someone might get in pregnancy make the mind boggle. Chickenpox - what do you do about it, what risks are there, how do you avoid it, how do you identify it? And how much do women need to know when they might never encounter it? It seems like an endless string of questions, and I think that is because it is. Given you're dealing with such an important unique experience in someones life (and the creation of another someone) I think it's legitimate to feel this stressed. Because for the first time in my life, since starting this course, my revision doesn't only matter for me and my results, my revision matters for all the women I come into contact with through midwifery.

Pants!

Back by popular demand

Ok, so popular demand might actually be stretching the truth somewhat! But it was suggested to me that perhaps I should continue with my blog, and to be honest I think it's a good idea. So, a quick update on what has been happening:

I have just finished my last official labour ward placement in my training. I will still be going back in with my caseload, and I think I may go in and go with some caesarean sections as they can be a bit difficult to organise as a midwife, but thats the last proper one. Rest of the time is now community which is daunting but great. I loved community last time, although it might be the hardest bit of all to do. At the moment I am worried that I have forgotten everything! Panic. Overall I have now got 50 deliveries, so done well and don't have to worry anymore about that big number 40 hanging over my head.

Rats and mice (stars of the blog) are all still doing well although they are not sure about the cold weather. My room is sub-zero temperature so they're doing quite a lot of sleeping and cuddling up to each other. One rat - sugar - still bald as ever on the top of her head as the other rat continues to nibble it away, but she really doesn't seem to be bothered at all.

Exciting news - I have had an offer accepted on a house, then I'll be a real adult. Wooooo. At the moment though it's at that stressful stage when you invest everything, financially and emotionally, and feel in total limbo as you wait for it all to happen. I just keep thinking of what I'm going to do with it and where I'll start. My lease where I am now carries on till the end of june and since I have to keep paying rent and bills etc. I am not going to move totally out of there till then. Might as well make the most of the opportunity to sort the new house out. I WANT IT NOW!

Uni is as frustrating as ever, you learn on placement and never in university, so why do we have to go. At the moment it feels like teach-yourself-midwifery. Ah well. Have the worlds nastiest exam coming up in January and am proper dreading it. A 30 minute presentation on the spot about 5 women you get the details of ten minutes before. It is my ultimate nightmare, as I know i'll get worked up and flustered. They say it's just like being on placement but it isn't as it's so fake, the women aren't there, you're not interacting with anyone just talking constantly forever, and you have 5 examiners sat in front of you. Oh god.....Still I'm starting reading my guidelines from front to back from now, and thats one of the major tasks for christmas as well.

Apart from that life continues as normal. Neil still lovely, overworked and underpaid. Barely get to see each other once a week recently, but we've both made a real effort this weekend to make some time.

Photos of house to follow as possible. I'll get done for stalking the property before it's mine at this rate!