OB wannabes UNITE!

bandas · Feb 20, 2006

I am working on pre-reqs right now and hoping to get accepted for the fall semester to the nursing program. I really would like to work in L & D, and I actually was thinking of becoming a doula before I decided to go for the RN. I saw that you are from the midwest, did you find a lot of work as a doula in the midwest? I'm from Kansas and when I was looking up on the doula registry, there were only 3 in my area. It sort of scared me away thinking that doulas would not be as popular in the midwest as on the east or west coast and I wouldn't find much work around here. My thing is that everyone I seem to talk to discourages me from pursuing L & D. I have had several people, as in some other students at my school, tell me "you're just like everyone else, everyone says they want to work in L & D before they get into school" Who knows, maybe they are right. Maybe I'll get into school and figure out that I hate it. But I really hope not. I was blessed to have wonderful nurses when I had both of my children.

lisakw70 · Feb 20, 2006

Me! I'm hoping to go into L&D after graduation, but that won't be until May 2008. I eventually hope to get my CNM though. That was the main reason that I decided to go into nursing in the first place. I've thought about becoming a doula, but I live in a small town and just don't know if there would be any kind of market for it here. I figure it would make me a better candidate for CNM programs if I manage to pull it off.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2006

I am hoping for OB when I graduate in a few months. I originally wanted to do OB when I started nursing school then decided against it because I wanted to have an open mind for all other clinical experiences. After my OB rotation I decided it was for me. There are a lot of people in my class who don't want to do OB. I think there are maybe 5-10 out of 90ish people in my class who want to do OB.

I can't believe graduation is finally in sight for me. :nurse:

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2006

I'm still working on pre-req's but my dream is to be a C.N.M., so I would love the L&D nurse experience. Of course, I'm not sure how easy it'll be for a new grad to get into L&D so I realize I may have to start elsewhere. :)

allthingsbright · Feb 20, 2006

I am working on pre-reqs right now and hoping to get accepted for the fall semester to the nursing program. I really would like to work in L & D, and I actually was thinking of becoming a doula before I decided to go for the RN. I saw that you are from the midwest, did you find a lot of work as a doula in the midwest? I'm from Kansas and when I was looking up on the doula registry, there were only 3 in my area. I sort of scared me thinking that doulas would be more not as poplur in the midwest as on the east or west coast and I wouldn't find much work around here. My thing is that everyone I seem to talk to discourages me from pursuing L & D. I have had several people, as in some other students at my school, tell me "you're just like everyone else, everyone says they want to work in L & D before they get into school" Who knows, maybe they are right. Maybe I'll get into school and figure out that I hate it. But I really hope not. I was blessed to have wonderful nurses when I had both of my children.

Hi! No, I doula'd mostly on the east coast before I moved to KC. There doesnt seem to be as much doula "activity in teh midwest? I found most of my clients through friends, friends of friends, etc.

It is true that you may dislike L&D once you are in there--see it for yourself. I personally love it and the past experiences I have had have been great. I would recommend that you keep your mind open as you go through school, but if L&D is your passion, dont let anyone talk you out of it!

Best wishes!

BonnieSc · Feb 20, 2006

Even if you can't find "work" as a doula, I encourage you to take the training! It'll be a wonderful experience and you'll be ahead on your OB knowledge. You'll probably also be getting a different perspective on childbirth.

Cowboys_RN, BSN · Feb 20, 2006

OB was my goal from the beginning, I'm in my second semester now. I've been to the OR, the cath lab, and the GI lab and talked with the nurses in there. Half of them are former OB nurses. They said they thought they would love it but hated it. The last nurse I talked to said she hated how much the much the family interfered and treated her like crap. She also said you have to have a lot of patience for whiney women that want to give up.

My OB rotation starts in 5 weeks. I'm keeping an open mind. I believe we only go to clinical three times though. So far I have it narrowed down to OB or OR.

AgentR · Feb 20, 2006

Me! I'm graduating in May, and I'm starting my preceptorship in L&D next week. I got picked for the big hospital near me, so I'm really feeling good. This is such a huge in for me. I just inteviewed with their L&D unit, and high risk pregnancy today. L&D is by far my first choice, though.

onehusbandsevenkids · Feb 21, 2006

OB wannabe here, too.

I've been a doula since 1999, and have dreamed of being an OB or NICU nurse since I was 5 or 6 years old. I'd love to become a CNM, but we'll see what the future holds.....

I'm actually planning on going to TX this summer to a midwifery birth center, its like a midwife boot camp, and you are just thrown into the mix and very soon afte arriving are doing exams of all kinds on moms and babies, labor support, postpartum care, newborn care and even delivering babies after you are "approved" to do so, which would be about a week after you arrive. It very intense and challenging and I'm very much loking forward to it!

It (OB/L&D/mother-baby) just seems like its in my blood or something, exactly what I'm meant to be doing. I can remember playing barbies for years and I always played hospital and childbirth with them, always. :)

Only thing I'm worried about is being too "alternative" for mainstream USA maternity floors - my best friend has been a RN on a maternity floor and some of the stories she tells me make my blood boil. Guess I'd have to find a way to deal with it all just like she does.

Anhow, just thought I'd say "hi" and add myself to the "list."

lisakw70 · Feb 21, 2006

Even if you can't find "work" as a doula, I encourage you to take the training! It'll be a wonderful experience and you'll be ahead on your OB knowledge. You'll probably also be getting a different perspective on childbirth.

Well, I wasn't really planning on "working" as one since I can barely find time to brush my teeth now, LOL! But in order to certify, I would have to attend three births and I don't know if I could find them around here. Would it be helpful to just attend the training workshops and not certify? I've already read most of the books on the reading list just by choice.

BonnieSc · Feb 21, 2006

Yes, it would definitely be helpful just to do the training workshop. Quite a few people never "certify"--since there's no legal status, you don't need to certify unless you want to. If you're a certified doula, you can add that to your business card/ resume; it might help you find extra business and/or encourage mothers to choose you. But after you take the workshop, you're a "trained doula".

As to the poster who worries that she's too "alternative" for a mainstream hospital... I had the same worry, and it's been totally true for me. In fact, it's been worse than I thought it would be. And I don't even think I'm all that crazy-alternative. So it's been painful and sad in many ways--yet over everything else, there's still the same wonderful event occurring, and it helps to focus on that. I know that I can't be an L&D nurse, at least not in a mainstream hospital; I wouldn't be able to be the birth attendant I want to be. But hopefully, if I do decide to pursue a CNM, I can find a situation that works for me.