Personal Connection...

I am not sure how much more personal I can get with my inquiry project. The physical and emotional connection to dealing with pain during labor and delivery is going to be very personal in about 10 weeks. I do not think that a school project I have had to complete has come at a better time or fit into my life better than this inquiry project. I have learned so much that directly relates to me and my life at the present time. I guess that is the goal of an inquiry project in itself!! I love to learn and continue to do so daily, but this really made me aware of the process I take when learning. I believe I have a much better understanding of each step of the inquiry process. By actually doing and then reflecting on the process, I have been able to see where mistakes have been made in the past. The aspect of reflection on learning is much more important to me now. I hope to take what I have learned from completing this project and apply it not only to my personal life, but also within my classroom. Students needs to spend more time reflecting on the learning they do. If the learning is inquiry based, they will be much more apt to do this because of their personal connection with the topic. In the Blue Book, Callison states that "the learner who masters self-reflection becomes more likely to be not only a true independent learner, but also one who can help others master the Information Inquiry interactions." I hope to assist my students at both information inquiry and the reflection process.

Wrapping, Waving, and Wishing...

Wrapping:
As I was trying to decide what type of product to make using all of the information that I found on pain options for labor and delivery, I had to think about who the information would be useful for. I do not feel that my product should be the end all of a woman's search for possible pain options, rather a beginning. The information has provided me with a knowledge base to start an educated discussion with my doctor. I now feel informed enough to be able to ask her opinion and ideas, while still keeping my opinions and ideas separate. Then I will be able to combine the two in order to make the most educated decision for me. This is what I hope others will do with my product as well. I, by no means, feel the information has given me the definite answer.

Waving:
I have decided to make a brochure that could be used in a childbirth class or as an initial handout a doctor could give patients over their options. The information is rather straight forward, with the most basic information. My husband and I start our childbirth class on Monday, so I plan to discuss my options of sharing my findings further there.

Wishing:
Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome of my project. My anxiety level is lower simply because I have knowledge! A strength and weakness throughout the process has to be the abundance of credible information that is out there. I only scratched the surface (which is why it is a weakness as well), but feel very informed and pleased with what I was able to investigate. The biggest challenge was not to get wrapped up in trying to understand all of the medical descriptions that were provided by some resources. Because of the deadline of the project, I had to limit my "off topic" searching. I would find myself searching specific drugs that are used -- which was great, but I had to come back and continue with general options that are out there. I plan to continue the search and educate myself more specifically on the particular options after discussing with my doctor. Another weakness would be I did not discuss the specific options that the hospital I will be delivering at has available. I definitely plan to do this, but wanted to start the discussion with my doctor and see what I learn in the childbirth class first -- I am sure they both will provide me with most of my answers.

My inquiry process is probably very similar to that of children or young adults. I was excited to learn because the reason for the project was personal. Callison states that the inquiry process should be a "bait and switch" process that "moves the student back to pursuing the teacher's interests, but should help the student stay on target to determine the true questions of interest to that student". I feel that the process was continually being led and directed by Professor Lamb because of the blogging that had to be done. However, the true question I had was being answered by the process of inquiry. I had times of confusion and had to redirect my searching just as students and young adults would.

Curriculum Connection

I was a little worried when I started thinking about how my inquiry project was going to be connected to an AASL or Indiana State Standard. I instantly thought of middle school level children because that the grade level at which I teach and knew that there were not any standards that covered child birth, pain relief, etc. I then remembered Indiana Standards cover K-12 (I must think outside of my little world!!) and relaxed. In high school I took a child development class my senior year and learned a lot about pregnancy, labor, and delivery. So I began looking at the high school family and consumer science standards -- a complete list can be found at http://doe.state.in.us/octe/facs/childdevelopparent.html. The standards that I found that would be covered by my inquiry project are below:

Standard 1 Students will integrate processes of thinking, communication, leadership, and management in order to apply child development and parenting knowledge and skill

• Apply management, decision-making, and problem solving processes to accomplish tasks and fulfill responsibilities.

Standard 2 Students will analyze factors related to preparing for parenthood.

• Examine biological processes related to conception, prenatal development, birth, and health of child and mother.
• Evaluate physical, emotional, and environmental factors of prenatal development and birth in relation to the health of the parents and child.

Standard 6 Students will evaluate external support systems that provide services for parents and caregivers.

• Evaluate criteria for selecting and providing care and services, including preventative health care, for children.

Wiggling and Weaving...

I have gathered a ton of information from many websites and still continue to add to my notes. I have created many lists and charts to organize/hold that information. I love technology, but always revert to pencil and paper when doing research. I have to write the information down to fully comprehend what I am learning. Lamb provides many wonderful online tools for organizing ones thoughts and information. One that I do think is very user friendly and free is bubbl.us -- check it out for yourself.

Some of the websites that have been useful are...

http://www.med.umich.edu/obgyn/smartmoms/labor/labor/painrelief.htm

http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/pregnancy/childbirth_pain.html

http://www.lamaze.org/

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/494120_10

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/240_12931.asp

http://www.ohiohealth.com/body.cfm?id=1240

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/pregnancyandchildbirth/analgesiainlabor.html

http://www.pellahealth.org/services/Pain%20Control%20Options%20for%20OB%20patients.pdf

The sites are from health organizations and other reputable organizations, so I feel I am getting accurate information from them. The information has also been very similar, so that provides more support for their accuracy. I am still evaluating the sites that I have found to be more "ify" when it comes to accuracy.

Now comes the part where I have to decided what I think. Do I have the information I need to answer my question? What other pieces of information do I need in order to do this? Well...I feel that I have great information and I believe my question of "What are the options?" is answered. But I must say, I still have not decided which method I plan to use when the time comes for labor and delivery!!!

Wiggling...

Having learned a ton about the different option that are available to me, I have not come up with a definite decision of what I would like to use. I do, however, have a sense of peace because I am aware of the options I have to choose from and those that my doctor may recommend. I know that no matter what I choose, I will not feel guilty or "less of a mother" if I decided to have the epidural or other medicinal options. I have talked to mothers who said they felt obligated NOT to use medicine to assist with the pain. Most of these women were of older generations than myself, but by talking to them I have definitely decided that will not affect my decision. I believe that when times change and new "technology" (in a sense) is available, one should become educated about the new ideas and make your decision based on that. I was saddened to hear that some women were guilty ridden during their labor and delivery process.

During the webbing process, I found many resources that wanted to push the alternative options for pain control. I liked the information that was provided. It was very thorough and detailed on how and why the method is beneficial. I still however, kept an open mind to the bias that was trying to be set. I know that everyone has their own opinion, but as I stated above, I must educate myself and then make my decision based on the information not the opinions of others!! Lamb states that when in the wiggling process the information must be evaluated and the "twist(ed) and turn(ed)" to find the "clues, ideas, and perspectives" the author is communicating. By looking for bias and seeing past it, I feel I have gathered the information and used it to further my knowledge.