[Elvish]

Originally Posted by RNmommy

I don't know how to put this in exact words, but after a while you can just tell that a baby is sick, sometimes well before they exhibit clinical signs.

And I don't know about you, but for me the trick is getting peds to come see them and take me seriously at this point. Sometimes I get 'that feeling' and then the next night kid has been taken to ICN.

[momma/babyrn]

On the topic of newborns in distress, I have a personal scenario that occured with my newborn a few months ago and was wondering if anyone had some input on it.

I nursed him within one hour of delivery and after that he was wisked away for his bath and other things. I received him again at change of shift which was about 3 hours later and he was lethargic and difficult for me to arouse. After taking his cap off him and unswaddling him he still didn't wake up enough to nurse. The newborn nursery nurse came in and began vigorously wiping his face with a wet wipe. I knew she was doing this for his own good and even though she didn't tell me, I'm guessing she was worried about his blood sugar running low. Well, the vigorous wiping of the face and entire head continued for 5 minutes or more. At times she seemed to cover his nose for too long.... at least in my opinion. Watching this whole thing was really upsetting for me and it was all I could do not to take my baby from her. I was wondering if this is pretty common to almost "rough up" a baby in a sense to get him awake enough to get that colostrum in him. This nurse was really rough!!

[teensytoes]

Originally Posted by jenrninmi

Hey! Let us know how your first day goes! Good luck! Have fun! Learn lots!

First day was great... very busy, but I know this is where I want to be! Today went by much faster with all boy babies and circs before discharges, etc... I got compliments from all of my patients, so that was a huge boost of confidence that I'm doing alright (even if I'm a bit nervous!) This is a much happier environment than the ICU I've worked in for the last 2 & 1/2 years!

[mom2michael]

Originally Posted by teensytoes

First day was great... very busy, but I know this is where I want to be! Today went by much faster with all boy babies and circs before discharges, etc... I got compliments from all of my patients, so that was a huge boost of confidence that I'm doing alright (even if I'm a bit nervous!) This is a much happier environment than the ICU I've worked in for the last 2 & 1/2 years!

I am so glad you had a wonderful day!!!! I hope and pray that you have many, many, many more just like them!!!!

I start in my OB unit June 23rd and I can not wait!!!!!

[Elvish]

Nice to hear how your day went, and glad it was a good one.

[luvsmomsbabies]

I am a new grad as well and just coming off orientation on a mother/baby unit. I am very overwhelmed and anxious about being on my own. The biggest thing I worry about is teaching...my patients asking me questions and not knowing the answers. I have a lot of experience with older infants... but not newborns so their questions tend to throw me for a loop sometimes. Can anyone recommend any good sites for discharge teaching on mom and baby? Our hospital has standard guidelines to go over but I am always fielding questions that don't address their concerns. I have textbooks but would prefer something conscise that is pretty standard for most mothers to understand. I would appreciate any suggestions and insight!!!

[teensytoes]

Originally Posted by mom2michael

I am so glad you had a wonderful day!!!! I hope and pray that you have many, many, many more just like them!!!!

I start in my OB unit June 23rd and I can not wait!!!!!

Well, how was the first day? I'd love to hear how it's going for you!

Rachelle

[mom2michael]

Originally Posted by teensytoes

Well, how was the first day? I'd love to hear how it's going for you!

Rachelle

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's everything I hoped, dreamed and wanted it to be. It's been incredibly amazing so far.

The set up was a bit different than what I thought it was going to be but I can not imagine working anywhere else.

How is going for you now a few weeks into it?!??!!

[momma/babyrn]

I like it a lot so far. I can't wait to get really efficient and quick with things though. I still feel slow even though my preceptor tells me I'm doing great after day 3 -which was today for me. Where I work we do all computer charting. I like this method b/c it's fast but I'm still getting used to which order to do things and what comes next. I'm not crazy about the current sheet I take my notes on for my patients. It's just not clicking with me so far. I think it's just a matter of getting used to. Everything else is great. We had a fresh s/p c/s today who was having some issues w/ bleeding. We spent a lot of time w/ her and were massaging her fundus all afternoon. The MD didn't order Methergine but told us to just continue w/ the massaging and watch her. Her BP and HR stayed WNL thankfully.

loving my job so far.

[teensytoes]

Originally Posted by mom2michael

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's everything I hoped, dreamed and wanted it to be. It's been incredibly amazing so far.

The set up was a bit different than what I thought it was going to be but I can not imagine working anywhere else.

How is going for you now a few weeks into it?!??!!

I also love it... I find it the best thing I've done career-wise... I just love helping the new families learn their way, and I really love taking care of the brand new babies. I'm very much where I need to be!!!