Republic of the Philippines

CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES

Nabua, Camarines Sur
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

JOURNAL
(Bicol Medical Center RLE Duty- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

Coleen Angelique Q. Montenegro

BSM- 4A (Group 1)

Dr. Jennifer Tam, RN, MAN, PhD

Clinical Instructor
 Republic of the Philippines
CAMARINES SUR POLYTECHNIC COLLEGES
Nabua, Camarines Sur
COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

Bicol Medical Center RLE Duty

(Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)

I am a fourth-year midwifery student at Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges and a board passer. I've
already had a lot of experience in the delivery room, the OB ward, and the pediatric ward. But it was my
first exposure to a neonatal intensive care unit, which piqued my interest because I've always wondered
what it's like inside.

The day has arrived for our RLE duty exposure. I fixed everything and prepared myself for whatever
came our way on that duty. We arrived safely.

We went inside and was oriented about the levels of conditions of the neonates. There are three levels:
Level 1- those neonates who are well; Level 2- neonates that need further monitoring and special care;
Level 3- neonates who need intensive care. Among the three levels, the place that really caught my
deepest empathy is in the Level 3 because neonates there were supported by machines in order to live and
survive. Moreover, in Level 1 and 2, made me grateful since most of the neonates there came from the
Level 3, which only means that they are recovering.

Apart from that, we went to the breastfeeding area, where there are cribs with newborns piled inside. The
majority of them were sleeping. However, some were crying aloud. A nurse and a midwife were also
stationed inside the area to provide breastmilk to the neonates via bottle feeding. The milk bank received
the majority of the breastmilk donated. We were overjoyed to see those little fingers moving while feeling
the satisfaction of fullness.

The day was long. However, I felt the satisfaction of finally being exposed to such an area, but I also felt
drained because of the neonates’ condition. We went home with lots of learnings and lessons just by
observing and doing our part as midwives. I realized how strong the neonates were while conquering the
pain in their bodies and the fear in their emotions. They were only a few days old, but they are strong
enough for their lives.

Those neonates indeed gave me the realization that no matter how we see ourselves, whether big or small,
beautiful or ugly, strong or weak, we can also be big enough for ourselves as well as for the people
around us. We must conquer our fears and be strong enough for as long as we live. As long as there is a
support system and there are reasons, there’ll always be hope.