need tips for fundal checks

[snwflknurse]

I am working as a nurse tech in OB this summer caring for postpartum couplets. I am doing great so far with most of my duties, but am having trouble sometimes with fundal checks. Sometimes, especially on a larger patient, I have such a hard time feeling the fundus. I am so afraid of hurting the patient that I feel like I'm taking too long, or not pushing hard enough to really feel it. And the C-section moms are very tough b/c they are in such pain when I do those checks.

Any tips for a newbie like me? I have been working with a primary nurse and she is double checking me, and sometimes I'm still not feeling it in the right spot.

HELP! (and thanks!)

[SmilingBluEyes]

We do fundal checks on EVERY postpartum patient.

and yes, short fingernails a MUST in OB!

[BETSRN]

I am working as a nurse tech in OB this summer caring for postpartum couplets. I am doing great so far with most of my duties, but am having trouble sometimes with fundal checks. Sometimes, especially on a larger patient, I have such a hard time feeling the fundus. I am so afraid of hurting the patient that I feel like I'm taking too long, or not pushing hard enough to really feel it. And the C-section moms are very tough b/c they are in such pain when I do those checks.

Any tips for a newbie like me? I have been working with a primary nurse and she is double checking me, and sometimes I'm still not feeling it in the right spot.

HELP! (and thanks!)

Just keep practicing and use your preceptor to back you up. You'll get better and better.

Also, remember with a section patient, as long as you can feel the fundus you do NOT have to push down. There is absolutely no need to do that at all.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Just keep practicing and use your preceptor to back you up. You'll get better and better.

Also, remember with a section patient, as long as you can feel the fundus you do NOT have to push down. There is absolutely no need to do that at all.

Due to lack of sleep, I see that I've mistaken fundal checks with fundal massages . . . . I don't do massage on a cesarean mom but I do check where her fundus is.

yawn . . . . I need sleep.

steph