Holding up the legs during delivery

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

We have had 3 nurses injured in their shoulders and neck because of having to hold up and push back the womans legs during delivery. It is partially a request of the physician and partially that they have become so used to doing it that it is automatic whenever the pushing is ineffective or protracted. Does anyone know of any equipment that could be purchased for this or any other techniques? Thanks, B Fusco RN

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Here is the bed I am talking about . You can see the way it breaks down and the capabilities. The end comes off and you can see the stirrups and foot rests built in and how easy they are to use. It also has "grips" for mom's hands, folded underneath.

One complaint I have: The padding leaves a lot to be desired for our poor moms.

http://www.encoremedical.com/BEDS/birthbeds.htm

hope this helps having a visual of what I am talking about. (it is the one on top, the Affinity II)

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Cheerful - you need a date!! :rotfl:

steph

bwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaahahahahhahaha :rotfl:

Here is the bed I am talking about (ours is a model similar to this one). You can see the way it breaks down and the capabilities. they are pretty easy to use but darnit, they are not comfortable. The end comes off and you can see the stirrups and foot rests built in and how easy they are to use.

One complaint I have: The padding leaves a lot to be desired for our poor moms.

http://www.encoremedical.com/BEDS/birthbeds.htm

hope this helps having a visual of what I am talking about. (it is the one on top, the Affinity II)

Oh Deb, I want one. :chuckle

We just got a grant for a new fetal heart monitor . . . . ours is ancient. What I really want though is a monitor for the desk outside the room.

steph

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

We have central monitoring. Gotta love it. Ihave worked w/o it and it does suck.

And the bed is great.....really easy to use unlike many old models I have worked with in the past.

I'll hold a leg but useualy i have a family member do it. The only time I inisist on holding one of them is when the family members are too big for me to see what is going on with the patient during delivery. Even then Ill let them hold them right up until delivery.

I find stir ups a bit inpersonal (and mabey Im off base here) but to me they represent an over medicalized approach to child birth. They just remind me of the stories I've heard about twilight sleep, rotine apeasiotmy and forceps on evey delivery with mothers not able to remeber their delivery and being glad that they dont becuse they all had apeasiotomy and forceps. I know this is a littel crazy but they just bother me. So in most cases I don't use them.

I only use stir ups for extreamly obese patients. I feel bad for makeing them use them but my back can only take so much.

We have had 3 nurses injured in their shoulders and neck because of having to hold up and push back the womans legs during delivery. It is partially a request of the physician and partially that they have become so used to doing it that it is automatic whenever the pushing is ineffective or protracted. Does anyone know of any equipment that could be purchased for this or any other techniques? Thanks, B Fusco RN

Hello, ? been in the dark regarding birthing matters. since 2003 becoming educated. No person should be subjected to any injury at the workplace. That is one thing you should realize. If a person in charge implements such a procedure and nurses become injured an incident report needs to be done as I assume you nurses have done this. In proper nursing practices we have to educate ourselves and have a meeting of minds.If nurses are being injured in this process, then the protocol of nurses in birthing is dangerous for you and the mother and newborn. Believe me please. I woke up at the age of 64 with the birth of granddaughter. I could use your education of birthing matters . Do you have a diagram of the fetal and maternal circulation prior to birth? Do you have the diagram of the fetal circulation process as it reverts to independant living outside the mother womb? By asking nurses of the 1960s on up they do not know what I found out.I need to know what protocol and informed consent is given to mothers and fathers in todays obstetrics. From what I have witnessed so far there is a common link in hospitals around the country. I have access to self educated and degreed people who are doing educated research to be published . You already voiced your concerns on this site. Research proper birthing positions. Those that close the birth canal and those that promote safety of nurses, mother and baby. From what you have revealed you need to know more. Thank you for reading . My heartful thanks . Marie

We have central monitoring. Gotta love it. Ihave worked w/o it and it does suck.

And the bed is great.....really easy to use unlike many old models I have worked with in the past.

We have central monitoring too, and love it. We also have the same delivery beds.

Love the sig, SBE. :p

Specializes in L&D.

What are the general accuities in Labor and Delivery where you work and where you have worked.

What problems if any were encountered with accuities.

Did you ever feel unsafe with some accuities where you have worked and if so, why.

How did you deal with the siituation?

I'll hold a leg but useualy i have a family member do it. The only time I inisist on holding one of them is when the family members are too big for me to see what is going on with the patient during delivery. Even then Ill let them hold them right up until delivery.

I find stir ups a bit inpersonal (and mabey Im off base here) but to me they represent an over medicalized approach to child birth. They just remind me of the stories I've heard about twilight sleep, rotine apeasiotmy and forceps on evey delivery with mothers not able to remeber their delivery and being glad that they dont becuse they all had apeasiotomy and forceps. I know this is a littel crazy but they just bother me. So in most cases I don't use them.

I only use stir ups for extreamly obese patients. I feel bad for makeing them use them but my back can only take so much.

Recommend highly paper back Women's Bodies Women's Wisdom

I'll hold a leg but useualy i have a family member do it. The only time I inisist on holding one of them is when the family members are too big for me to see what is going on with the patient during delivery. Even then Ill let them hold them right up until delivery.

I find stir ups a bit inpersonal (and mabey Im off base here) but to me they represent an over medicalized approach to child birth. They just remind me of the stories I've heard about twilight sleep, rotine apeasiotmy and forceps on evey delivery with mothers not able to remeber their delivery and being glad that they dont becuse they all had apeasiotomy and forceps. I know this is a littel crazy but they just bother me. So in most cases I don't use them.

I only use stir ups for extreamly obese patients. I feel bad for makeing them use them but my back can only take so much.

I recommend information in book Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom in library page 12. 468 and 469 regarding routine episiotomies study have shown increase blood loss, pain, and risk of long term pelvic floor damage. some obstetricians have only recently at this books publishing question this procedure. You are not off base. You have practical concerns . Make a list of these concerns and begin to educate. Ask your women friends what concerns them in birthing. You will see common experiences and concerns. We as women and nurses need to explore the realities in birthing that are safe. You will be amazed at what has not been taught.

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