The breast massage is no extra charge.
Today in clinical, yes again a rich source of blog material, I performed a maternal assessment post-partum while being supervised and critiqued by my clinical instructor. I knew the basics, starting with heart and lung sounds and rates, and moving on to Breasts, Uterus, Bowel, Bladder, Lochea, Episiotomy, Homan's and Emotional state (Thank you, BUBBLE-HE). I spent a few full minutes on each key note, poking and prodding and asking the mother questions about how her BUBBLE-HE feels.
"Does it hurt when I press down on your abdomen directly above your c-section incision?"
"Oh it does?"
"Oh you say you just gave birth yesterday? Well please bear with me, I have to find your uterus... oh, and Im new at this, so I REALLY have to push hard to make sure Im not feeling a bladder or perhaps a lost jar of peanut butter."
"Okay, all done poking your abdomen. Is there anything I can get you before you leave?"
"Well, your order says here that you cant receive Motrin for another 3 hours."
"Im sorry I didnt make that out. You were grimacing while speaking."
"Would you like me to massage your abdomen to help with the pain?"
"Ma'am there's no need to yell 'NO!'"
JUST KIDDING! As a sidenote with a touch more of reality in it: Thank you to my clinical instructor for waiting until we were outside of the patient's room to inform me that I do not need to perform a FULL breast exam for post-partum purposes. Apparently the purpose is NOT to detect breast cancer! Thanks also to my patient who put up with me performing a 5 minute boob massage.