ND's 4 postpart. G3P3 not keeping child

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I am a nursing student and I am looking for ND ideas for my patient from todays heart-wrenching clinical rotation.

My patient is a G3P3 21yo unmarried and has decided not to keep this child, a beautiful 9lb baby boy.

I am new to OB and do not have experience with this type of situation and I would greatly appreciate any assistance I could get from you experienced OB gals on this type of situation.

I had a chance to spend some time with this gal after the delivery and she openly discussed the reasons why she was giving up this child, they were: financially unstable, unmarried, already has two children from two different dads, this would be the third, inadequate living space etc....

She is Native-American

The father of the baby wanted to see the child, but she would not allow it and wants him to give up his rights and he has refused, he thought he could take the baby home if she did not want it, not the case due to undetermined paternity.

What a day!! This was my first day of OB clinical and my instructor asked me to stay if someone was coming in to deliver, guess it was my lucky day:confused: 13 hours later I'm home and emotionally torn apart. I know OB is probably not going to be my "thing"

Anyway, this is a call to all you OB gals from a very tired and desperate nursing student.....

Thank you,

Jennifer

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure what you mean by ND, but regardless, OB is not all happy mothers having babies. It's sad sometimes, but I can understand the young mom's choice of giving the baby up for adoption. I think that by her not allowing the father to see the baby may make it more of a pull for him to take the baby. If it is proven, he very well can get custody. However, if he is given the chance to see the baby now and to talk with the mother calmly, maybe he can see the good in giving the baby up. A better (hopefully) chance for this baby. Somehow, being told that you can't do something makes more people determined to prove them wrong.

For myself, I do hope to work in postpartum (mother/baby units) and L&D. Just my preference. Now!!!

Kris

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ND means nursing diagnoses. Thank you for your input, like I said, it was my first day on the OB floor and wasn't really prepared for the whole relinquishing of rights thing.

Jennifer

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel that the moms who make the excruciatingly hard decision to give up their babies because it's the right thing to do are some of the bravest souls in the universe. All of us L and D nurses have some heartbreaking stories to tell about adoptions, and it's never easy for anyone concerned. Considering how easy abortion is to come by, the decision to carry a child to term for the good of the baby and an adoptive family is a totally self-sacrificing one. It's hard on the nurses, but think about the mom. She has to go home at night and deal with all this, whereas we just hug our kids, thank God it's not us, and go on with our lives.

L and D is not always the sweet, pink and blue, good-smelling place everyone thinks it is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think anxiety would definitely be a fitting nursing dx.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

maybe something to do w/ grieving, risk for post partum depression, family conflicts/altered relationships. good luck to you. it's nice for this pt. that someone was there to talk and spend time w/ her during this difficult time for her. i think her baby is lucky that his mom is unselfish and wants him to have a better life than she is able to offer at this time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

good luck w/your assignment. It's a heart-wrenching decision for anyone to make. I hope mom and baby make out ok.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment