Abortion in nursing school rotations?

[caffeineRx]

Hi All,

I am soon to enter my Maternity/Peds clinical portion. I'm curious to know if you see abortion procedures during these rotations. I'm speaking of elective and medical emergencies...or would this be something that falls under OR?

Can any of you share your experience in Maternity? Did you see any sad things? I know that, realistically, I will see some depressing stuff (already have)..just want to know what to expect. Thanks

EDIT: Ps. I'm not asking anyone if they are pro-life or pro-choice. If you want to speak about that please take it to another thread. Don't be rude and mislead my topic. It's a simple question. Thanks

[dscrn]

Generally speaking, TOP's (elective abortions-up to 12 weeks of pg) would be done in the OR, referred to as a D and E (dilatation /evacuation)..same procedure is done if a woman has an early "missed ab"no heartbeat on baby, but mom fails to deliver. I know as a student, there was a case scheduled-all the students were made aware, and they had the option to observe, or not. Second term ab's-if your facility does them, are usually done in L and D. I would imagine students would also be able to opt out of treating these pts. They are most often done for genetic problems with the fetus. These are often very emotional cases for all-and parents may request NOT to have a student with them. Generally, pre-term labor is induced, mom is heavily sedated... Depending on the facility, various procedures are performed, which may or may not result in the delivery of a living fetus., which again, depending oh facility policy may be transferred to Nsy, where"supportive care"usually o2 and warmth only are given, and the baby is allowed to expire. There is also the case of a fetal dismise, where baby's heart stops beating prior to labor. These mom's usually have labor induced, also. These are, in my opinion, some of the most emotionally sad cases-paents have prepared for a baby, that they will not get to bring home...

Hope this does not come across as to "clinically detatched",///

[dscrn]

Parents do sometimes like to see pictures...many hospitals prepare "grieving packs" with footprints, clip of hair, crib card, pictures. The packs are not automatically given to parents, but they may request them at a future date. I really dothink that the packs help with the grieving process. I really didn't mind doing the photos. The tough ones to photograph were if the baby had been coded-et tube had to be left in place, prior to autopsy..These babies just always seem to be the most beautiful-God's tiniest angels..

[dscrn]

how terrible for you to have experienced this with your daughter...my heartfelt condolences

[dscrn]

,,,and that Mom will never forget you..nothing wrong with crying-shows you care

[HoneyDew70]

Forgive my ignorance...why pictures?

I did quite a number of fetal demises in a few short months and we would offer to get the babies' pictures taken. One nurse knitted beautiful clothes for them and we would dress them being careful given their condition to take photos in their best possible light. So, plenty of props and creative designs to minimize some areas, and to enhance what could be. We would then take professional photos of the babies and put them in the folders with a similar design just as if they were live births. We gave them pieces of hair in a lock, etc and they had access to that baby (for as long as possible), wrapped in a special way with special material. Very, very touching moments in those sad times. The parents are so appreciative.

[dscrn]

I did quite a number of fetal demises in a few short months and we would offer to get the babies' pictures taken. One nurse knitted beautiful clothes for them and we would dress them being careful given their condition to take photos in their best possible light. So, plenty of props and creative designs to minimize some areas, and to enhance what could be. We would then take professional photos of the babies and put them in the folders with a similar design just as if they were live births. We gave them pieces of hair in a lock, etc and they had access to that baby (for as long as possible), wrapped in a special way with special material. Very, very touching moments in those sad times. The parents are so appreciative.

I used to make little fannel blankets with pouches that we would slip baby in, so they were visible from mid chest up...

[moma8gma1]

Regarding taking pictures of stillborn babies: A friend of mine lost her first child during a home birth. She told me the umbilical cord was wrapped around her son's neck and he died during the birth. The baby was rushed to a hospital but could not be revived. A nurse asked my friend if she wanted some pictures taken of her son. She was shocked by the question and said "of course not!" Well, some time later, she sadly realized she could no longer remember her baby's face, and was sorry she'd rebuffed the nurse's offer. Hoping her decision had been ignored, she called the hospital and was eternally grateful to hear they did, indeed, have photos of her son waiting for her if she wanted them. She treasures those photos. Fortunately, she went on to have 3 more sons.

The lesson I took away: I guess you just don't know, while you're in the midst of grieving, how you may feel about something like pictures later on. Not a good time to make decisions of that kind.

[MVgal]

My ob rotation was very limited, as it was in a small hospital. During my day in L&D, i ended up spending my whole shift observing a husband and wife who had learned that same morning that her full term infant was stillborn. It was a very emotional day, and i appreciated the fact that they allowed me to continue to stay with them as a nursing student. As a mother myself, it was a very hard day, and in all fairness, my instructor gave me the option to change to another assignment that day, but i stayed. She was induced, and labored all day, filled with emotional and physical pain. I left prior to her delivery, but learned so much that day. I think that day helped me make the decision later to become a L&D nurse.

[NeoNatMom]

That had to be so difficult. I pray this doesn't happen to me, but if it does, I will know where to come for support. Thank you for sharing that testimony. Truly humbling.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

No elective abortions in my program that I was aware of. Mostly Catholic hospitals.

While in nursing school, we were shown the white flower placed on fetal demise families' doors but weren't allowed to care for those patients. We were told about the memory boxes made for those families but did not participate.

Years later, through my own arduous journey to have my two living children, I had losses both early and later. One nurse in particular cared very well for me. I was glad to be at a Catholic hospital despite being agnostic myself as they made out death certificates and buried my babies in a cemetery. This is important work, and I hope to lend my hands to it one day when my own wounds aren't still so raw. Even the smallest things can help fill a little of the emptiness left by a much wanted baby.

As a happy ending to this story, the nurse who cared for me during my 17 week loss later cared for me while I was in labor with my 2nd son. Full circle.