ABBY AT SAN IGNACIO HOSPITAL MATERNITY WARD

I spent my two week nursing observation at San Ignacio Hopsital Maternity Ward. While I was there I saw six babies born—five boys and one girl! I got to be there for the women when they were in labor, making sure they were as comfortable as they could be, getting them water and holding their hands. I checked fetal heart rates and learned to feel for the positions of the babies. I talked with nervous and excited mothers about baby names and their other children; I reassured them that I would be there for them when they went into the delivery room. I held brand new babies, not even minutes old! I bathed the babies and measured and weighed them. I talked with knowledgeable nurses about their careers in Belize and the things they would like to see changed about their healthcare system. I learned of their frustrations and some of their best and worst moments being midwives. I saw so many differences in the way that a maternity ward in Belize works compared with one in the U.S. I learned so much about this field of nursing and made many new friends in my two weeks at the hospital. I am looking forward to the future and my own nursing career.