Can you be pro-life and an OB/GYN nurse at the same time?

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 5, 2004

You most certainly be pro life and pro choice....Of course....If you were for euthanasia would that prevent you from caring for a patient who chooses to have everything done for him or her....Or, if against euthanasia in an environment which embraces the idea, would you not care for the patient who needed you?

ImaEMT · Jan 6, 2004

This is an interesting thread! I was just wondering this same thing yesterday. Until I had children, I was very much pro-choice, and still am to some degree. However, now that I'm a mother, who has had several miscarriages and a hard time getting pregnant, I am starting to feel a lot differently. I do know that I want to work OB when I graduate. We don't do AB anywhere in the area, so I won't have to face that...but I have worked with several patients who have had elective AB's in the past, and I have mixed feelings about it. I always try to remember that I'm not walking in that mom's shoes. I guess we will see as my professional development grows.

Lisa

imenid37 · Jan 6, 2004

I had a situation last week where I was sent on a transport w/ a PIH pt. I literally came to work and went right away on the transport w/ another nurse because there was no paramedic available. She had report on the pt., but I didn't really know anything except she was PIH on Mag, 31-32 weeks, and going to the hospital we most often refer to. The other RN knew about her so off we went. She (the RN) hadn't been on a transport in awhile, so she was asking me about VS, FHT's, etc. during the ride over. When we went to do the FHT's the first time, she told me pt. was to go to another state for a termination in the next day or so. I had no clue as we had pt. on monitor for fht and uc's at our hospital. The baby had a genetic disorder w/ several lethal anomalies. I was just shocked because of her gestation. I wish I would've known before we started our trip. I had never dealt w/ anyone having a termination so late in pregnancy. I felt very sorry for the pt. She was only in her 20's and an infertility pt. The idea of an abortion at this gestation was just sickening to me. I couldn't imagine what they would do at this stage, so i looked it up on the internet. This clinic does them up to 34 weeks for anomalies and other reasons of mother's physical/emotional health. A 3-4 day process. Luckily this pt. delivered and her child actually died before birth. I had hoped I was not unkind or offensive to her, I was just floored by the situation. I can't believe there are medical professionals who do this. I think even some really pro-choice people would be turned off by this, esp. if there are no fetal anomalies.

ImaEMT · Jan 7, 2004

OMG! This sounds so familiar! I transported a patient last year who was term, but carrying a baby that also had fatal abnormalities. She elected to carry the baby to term instead of termination, beause even though she knew the child would not live, she wanted to hold him (I still get teary eyed when I think of this). She presented in labor, and we got ready to transport her to Childrens Hospital, as had been planned all along. The Doc stopped me and said that if by chance she delivered on the way ( God forbid...) we were not to initiate CPR/meds...just get to the nearest facility, wrap baby &, give him to mom. Well, for a first time mom she went fast! In the two hours it took to get to the hospital, she went from ctx q 30 minutes, to q 1-2 minutes. SHe delivered 1/2 hour after we got to CHildren's. Baby lived for 1 1/2 hours and mom got to cuddle him and rock him as he quietly slipped away. That's all she wanted...just to see her baby.

This mom was a former drug abuser, who came from a horrible living situation and lifestyle, who found out she was pg and CHANGED her life for this baby! She cleaned up, got a job, got a place to live, saved some money, QUIT SMOKING and wanted her baby very much. I can't imagine how she felt when she had that fatefull ultrasound that showed the extent of baby's malformaties. Instead of termination, she carried the baby, nurtured it, just to hold him one time. As a mom of 2, I can't imagine this. I give her tons of credit and it just shows that every woman has different ways of looking at things, of doing things, and making priorities.

That case will always stick with me.

Lisa

fergus51 · Jan 7, 2004

I hope to never judge a woman pregnant with a child who is destined to die. I can't imagine what I would do.

kastas, BSN, RN · Jan 7, 2004

Originally posted by KarenAR
Maybe this will help clarify:
I will care for a drug abuser, but I won't give him heroin.
I will care for an HIV+ patient, but I won't get him a hooker.
I will care for a crack mother, but I won't give her more crack.
I will care for a dying patient, but won't help her overdose.
I will care for a patient having an abortion, but I don't think I should be forced to help perform the abortion.

I loved this. Way to think it through! I copied it and am saving it so that I can have a good comeback. I always think of the good stuff to say waaaaayyyyy after the conversation. We have too many judgemental nurse's where I work. Just b/c I don't want to help w/ the abortion I shouldn't be judged any more than I judge the one who does help w/ it. (Which, BTW, I don't judge them.)

allnurses Guide · Jan 7, 2004

We have a young married couple locally who found out their child had fatal anomalies also but decided to carry to term and say goodbye. It was a very difficult decision but supported by their friends and family and the hospital they choose to deliver in. Baby was born alive, cuddled, photographed and died in mom's arms. They were so happy that they chose to do this.

Of course you can be pro-life or pro-choice and be a nurse.

steph

fergus51 · Jan 7, 2004

I am glad that was right for them Steph. I just don't think it would be the right decision for every couple, and I am glad women and their partners still have the right to decide for themselves. I really have no idea what I would do in that situation and I have always considered myself against abortions for me personally.

rdhdnrs · Jan 17, 2004

It is the mom's choice, which is made long before she comes to us for care. At that point, in my opinion, it is our job just to provide compassionate care.

Owney · Jan 17, 2004

Originally posted by rdhdnrs
It is the mom's choice, which is made long before she comes to us for care. At that point, in my opinion, it is our job just to provide compassionate care.

Owney · Jan 17, 2004

Originally posted by rdhdnrs
It is the mom's choice, which is made long before she comes to us for care. At that point, in my opinion, it is our job just to provide compassionate care.

No it's not the mom's choice. It's was the parent's choice when they decided to mix their chromosomes to form 46 into a unique combination--a human being.

:roll

Beebop25 · Jun 20, 2010

Wouldn't taking care of somebody before and after be considered doing your part in taking a life though? How is it any different from prepping a heroin addict to inject his or herself with a needle, even if you are not injecting the drug for them. I really see no difference, you are either a part of it, or not. I am pro-life.