[dolcebellaluna]

I've got a feeling that Med-Surg lecture, as well as clinical are going to both kick my butt this semester, and I'm a little concerned about OB. After skimming my textbook, it's alot of review things that we've already learned in A&P. The concept of labor seems pretty intuitive and while the drugs we have to know are a little different than the ones we learned in Pharm last semester, I don't see a challenge right now.

Does it get harder? I feel like that's a really silly question but I like learning difficult material; it's motivation for me to look up things I don't know and try hard to figure out the correct answer. I guess I'm used to classes where it's moved in a progressive manner, by body system etc. I'm wondering how much information can there be out there on L&D. I'm not criticizing L&D or saying we shouldn't have to take the class, just curious if anyone else shares my perspective or can offer advice or input on how it is hard or if it's just a different kind of class.

[future L&Dnurse]

There is actually LOTS of information r/t OB, L&D etc that goes very far beyond what meds are in an epidural and what happens during the stages of labor. You'll probably learn a little about preterm birth, postpartum hemorrhage, infections and other complications, premature rupture of membranes, fetal development, fertility issues, hormones and how they change during pregnancy, emotional issues such as postpartum depression,
etc. It's not as simple as "here's how the baby is born." It happens to be my very favorite area and where I plan to work, so I find it all pretty fascinating. It is definitely a different kind of class in that we are talking about ONE physical process that only happens to females, but there's a lot to learn. I think if you keep up with the material it won't necessarily be hard, but it is more involved than it sounds like you expect it to be.

HTH.

[newRN09]

Don't get a misconception about OB. If your first impression is that it won't be challenging, think again. I teach OB and let me tell you, very few A's are given. Maybe 2 or 3 out of 30 students have worked hard enough to get an A.

I think it's hard because concepts you learn in Med-surg don't always carry over. My students call it "foreign", even those that have had a child. You can't base what you watch on TV and have experienced, since each birth is different.

To give you an idea of L&D info - students are expected to interpret fetal HR and contractions and know the management depending on the interpretations. Students must know the different types of pain management for mothers in labor and the nursing interventions. Knowing the appropriate indications for inductions. Proper management of vaginal deliveries/c-sections. It's very intense and difficult. As you can see....these are not topics learned in med-surg or other course.

[dolcebellaluna]

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I'll definitely keep up with the material. I think just the idea that it's such a foreign concept, a class centered around one process is just hard for me to wrap my head around. Good to know there's more to it!

[Bec717]

We have our L&D exam on Tuesday~ five chapters and it's not just about having a baby~ there is A&P- what changes both physically and physio, there is pain management, psychosocial, prenatal care, visits, labs and values and what to expect at each visit, the actual labor- intrapart/postpart, pain management of all degrees, legal, ethical, culture and then how and what the nurse will do throughout the pre-coneption- postpart care~ charting, relaxation techniques, the list goes on and on~

[future L&Dnurse]

you're welcome. You may be pleasantly surprised to find it all very interesting and intuitive. I did when I first started studying it on my own (long before I started taking prereqs for nursing school) and really love the topic and can't wait to work in OB/L&D. (hence the user name, right? )

[Daytonite]

Let me guess. . .you are a mother and have gone through your own labor and delivery. You cannot equate personal experiences with OB that you are going to learn in school. They are quite different. The reason OB is split into it's own subject is because it is complicated. More things go wrong in OB than in any other area of medicine. The trick to studying OB is to know the normal female anatomy and know the normal birthing process. Then, there are all kinds of stuff that goes wrong, and a lot of it. Also, a lot of injury and trauma occurs during the birthing process that we cannot see because it is internal.

[dolcebellaluna]

Originally Posted by Daytonite

Let me guess. . .you are a mother and have gone through your own labor and delivery. You cannot equate personal experiences with OB that you are going to learn in school. They are quite different. The reason OB is split into it's own subject is because it is complicated. More things go wrong in OB than in any other area of medicine. The trick to studying OB is to know the normal female anatomy and know the normal birthing process. Then, there are all kinds of stuff that goes wrong, and a lot of it. Also, a lot of injury and trauma occurs during the birthing process that we cannot see because it is internal.

Nope, not a mother at all actually, just a 20 year old a little numbed by how much I feel was actually taught to me in Fundamentals last semester versus how much I felt I already knew/had learned before in school. So much of it felt intuitive and reading the text didn't actually prepare me for the critical thinking on exams so I learned to just think that way and skim notes. Not trying to sound like I know it all, just wasn't sure what to expect I guess. Sorry if I offended anyone.

[mysterious_one]

Just to give you another idea of how intensive L&D can be, one hospital in our area offers an internship program of 6 months in there L&D department, compared to there critical care internship, which is only 4 months. I must add though, this hospital delivered over 16,000 babies last year.

[MySimplePlan]

The concept of labor seems pretty intuitive and while the drugs we have to know are a little different than the ones we learned in Pharm last semester, I don't see a challenge right now.