Bila anak dara di labour room...

Well, the title actually is more on the series of "When I was a...." like what I blogged before. This time is about "When I was a Clinic Assistant"

I am glad to admit that I have done various jobs throughout my life, ranging from the ones in my field (science) to something that is out of the circle.
One of the jobs is a clinic assistant of a private maternity clinic (klinik bersalin). Let's keep the clinic's name anonymous, but I'd love to share some of my experience working there.

I started working there immediately after completing my first degree. In fact by then, I havent yet submitted my thesis.

The job didn't require a high qualification and I always know where I stand. So, it was normal for me to start with the mopping/ toilet cleaning before I worked at the counter and helped in the labour room. But there was one annoying spinster who kept badmouthing me to the doctor, saying that I refused to do those janitorial work bcoz I have a good qualification. Macam si*l kan? To make things worse, the doctor believed whatever she said.

Okay, let's move on to a more interesting part.
I loved lending a helping hand in the labour room and after the moms gave birth.

I hated/pitied seeing mak buyungs going for their monthly check-ups alone, as I felt their husbands were not caring enough to accompany. Thus, I always had MrHubby by my side everytime I went for my monthly check-ups.


In the labour room

• Some pregnant moms would ask me about how do I feel, for I might seem to young to witness all the processes.Keep in mind...I was still unmarried by then.

• I learned the do's and dont's in labouring and I taught my housemates (bygkan la semua anak dara kat rumah tu mcm tengah attend antenatal class. haha), but when the real time came for me to push Lil Adam out, I forgot everything. What I knew was "I want this baby out NOW!!!"

• I hate seeing hubbies who refused to enter the labour room. Buat anak, pandai. Time sakit, xnak tolong bagi moral support kat bini!

• Seeing those private parts was like "Oooo...there are various shapes and colours! I never knew that!" Hehehe
  

Immediately after the birth

After a few mins/hours struggling in the room, I'd clean the babies and the curious daddies would eagerly wait behind the glass windows. Some might ask, what was I doing?

Amongst the things I did were

• -cleaning the white layers at the folds (knees, elbows, hair, etc)
• -measuring the height & head circumference.
• -bathing the baby and put the diaper/ clothes on
• -put a tag on the wrist and wrap him/her tightly (bedung)
• -put the baby in the little bed and hand him to the excited dad

Speaking of the white layer, I realize there were babies born with very little layer, whilst some had too much that it took about 15mins to be cleaned. Perhaps, drinking coconut juice (ayaq nyoq) could really help.

Another thing I realized was the toughness of the uri. I once had an Indonesian mom giving birth, and hers was a bit greenish and macam-nak-hancur-lunyai. Prolly bcoz she only consume on jamus, instead of the prescribed meds.

I love seeing the dad who would immediately perform ablution and ask for the qiblat (nak buat sujud syukur la tu).
Then, when the mom is done with stitching, I'd strol her to the room and start preparing a light meal for her.

Besides the toast, hot Milo and some meds, I'd also give a spoonful of honey and some Zamzam water.
The blur parents might ask "What are these for?"
But if it is not their first child, they usually knew it's the first food to give to the newborn (not to mention the breast milk).

It is normal for private clinics to let the nurses/midwives look after the babies as the aim is to let the mom gets enough rest. Hence, giving formula is normal.
In govt hospitals, breastfeeding is encouraged, therefore the babies are put next to the moms.I myself had difficulties comforting Lil Adam with me feeling uncomfortable with the after-birth blood.


Unfortunately, I didn't work there long. I might have nursed 50 babies throughout the duration, but I quit bcoz I didn't like the doctor.

Despite being so pious (with purdah, whatnot), she believed everything when the spinster dragged me through the mud. So, I gave her a 24hour notice bcoz I got a much better job. So, that's it.

I never returned to the clinic (even just to say hello), what more to have myself in the labour room, with my private part observed by someone I knew. Haha