Journaling the Journey

Journaling is a great way to share thoughts and express feelings that otherwise we would keep to ourselves... I always encourage students to journal their midwifery experience. You can go back and read your initial writings and see the growth in thought, practice and perspective. I also encourage women to journal their pregnancy experiences. Every woman experiences pregnancy in a uniquely personal way. Ambivalence, joy, anxiety, self-doubt are all part of the journey. The journey of being a student can be compared to pregnancy and birth...

1st trimester: We start out nauseated...What was I thinking????? Some of us vomit profusely...some of us barely notice it. We are excited nontheless. We start to envision the possibilities

2nd trimester: The nausea has lessened...appetite is increasing...I want to eat everything I can find...starting to gain a few pounds. We read everything we can get our hands on. It is all NEW knowledge... I can do this!!!!

3rd timester: Beginning to feel bloated and REALLY tired. You have got be kidding! I cannot possibly put one more thing on my to-do list and that assignment is due when?????? I think I might be hypertensive and more than a bit irritable. Getting closer, but it feels like it will never end...Can I be induced???? NOW??????

Labor starts: Is this real or not??? I am not sure...I think I will go take a bath...

OK..this is different..I think I will take another bath.....maybe not..I am not ready...I still have more to do....

Transition: Holy cow!!!!! Do not touch me, do not talk to me, just let me do this....I can't do this!!!!!!! I want to quit now!!!!!!!

It is time to PUSH....WOW this hurts...but feels like I should anyway...I CAN DO THIS!!!!

Relief....I DID IT!!!! Isn't she beautiful!!!!

As one journey ends another begins......

Share your journey.....Deb

Welcome

Welcome to the Nurse Midwifery Student Journal. This is the place to post your experiences, thoughts, clinical challenges and clinical pearls to share with other nurse midwifery students in your cohort as well as other cohorts.