New OB Nurses, Grads and Students, Please Feel Free to post your questions here:

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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Mugwump had a great idea offering services to new grads as a mentor (thank you for that!)

So, I thought having a "sticky" for new grads, OB nurses, students, and others with questions who want to post these can do so here. We also seem to see many of the same questions over and over, so perhaps this would help serve as an ongoing discussion of common issues/questions we all seem to have on our minds. This could serve not just for those asking directly, but others who may be "lurking" and looking for information or considering a career in OB, newborn, GYN nursing, or midwifery, doula services, childbirth education, lactation consulting, or other related work.

So if any mod thinks this is a good idea, mind stickying this?

Let's give this a go and see how it works out. We have many potential "mentors" here among us who, I am sure, would LOVE to help a new nurse/midwife/doula or student on his or her way to a rewarding career. I know I would love to help out!

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Sorry guess I shoulda gave a little more detail. Yes I have been on bedrest for almost a month now. Last my cervix was measured it was measuring 1.7 I'm not real sure if thats MM or CM though. My Dr is Just a normal OB Doc. I'm not having any contractions or signs of labor at this point so they haven't discussed hospitalization or anything. Basically its a waiting game to see when I go into labor I guess. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of my condition and what my options are. I'm a little bit familiar with the cervix and the role it plays in pregnancy and labor but I'm totally clueless about the steroids and other options. Thanks for replying and trying to help.

The steroids are given in case you do deliver early, to "jump start" the baby's lungs to a bit of maturity----it is hoped the baby will breathe better once born if these are used. They are not usually useful after about 34-35 weeks' gestation, however, so most OBs do not give these after this point.

If all that is going on is a "short cervix" then likely all they will do is keep you on pelvic rest (nothing in the lady parts, including sex) and on modified rest (not necessarily bedrest) but no working on your feet.

My sister went thru this w/two pregnancies. Her cervix thinned early-on (about 28 or 29 weeks I think) and they just had her on lifting restrictions, and rest. She never really contracted or went into preterm labor itself. They just checked her at each appointment and gave her preterm labor precautions/instuctions.

hope this helps.

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The steroids are given in case you do deliver early, to "jump start" the baby's lungs to a bit of maturity----it is hoped the baby will breathe better once born if these are used. They are not usually useful after about 34-35 weeks' gestation, however, so most OBs do not give these after this point.

If all that is going on is a "short cervix" then likely all they will do is keep you on pelvic rest (nothing in the lady parts, including sex) and on modified rest (not necessarily bedrest) but no working on your feet.

My sister went thru this w/two pregnancies. Her cervix thinned early-on (about 28 or 29 weeks I think) and they just had her on lifting restrictions, and rest. She never really contracted or went into preterm labor itself. They just checked her at each appointment and gave her preterm labor precautions/instuctions.

hope this helps.

Thanks! Your info was helpful.

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

glad to be of service.

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I'm new to the site, and am currently in school for my ADN, and am wanting to put that toward a future in the maternity ward or NICU or of the sort.... besides, getting my degree & liscense, what else do i need to apply for that sort of position??

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Hi, I've been a nurse for a year on a Gyn/Surgical unit. Just got my dream job in L&D. Last night was my first on the unit & it went well. I really enjoy this type of nursing & realize all that it entails. I just feel unsure of myself, very much like a student again. One problem is my lack of expertise starting IV's. I know it's a skill I must master to be successful on this unit, I'm quite embarrassed about it. My preceptor is very nice and open to any questions. I just don't want her to think I'm not qualified, especially given my year of experience. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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

I always say:

practice, practice, practice.

The more you do, the more confidence you gain. Experience is an excellent teacher. So are experienced colleages. And trust me: You are not alone in feeling new and unsure. It took me 2 years' fulltime L/D work to feel at ALL competent. And looking back, more like 5 years before I would call myself TRULY experienced enough to be independent.

SOOOOOO go easy on yourself. Learn as you go. Ask experienced colleagues to help or for ideas. After 8 years at it, I am still bouncing things off my coworkers all the time, when I am unsure. Collaboration is what it's all about!!!!

Welcome to OB!

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I always say:

practice, practice, practice.

The more you do, the more confidence you gain. Experience is an excellent teacher. So are experienced colleages. And trust me: You are not alone in feeling new and unsure. It took me 2 years' fulltime L/D work to feel at ALL competent. And looking back, more like 5 years before I would call myself TRULY experienced enough to be independent.

SOOOOOO go easy on yourself. Learn as you go. Ask experienced colleagues to help or for ideas. After 8 years at it, I am still bouncing things off my coworkers all the time, when I am unsure. Collaboration is what it's all about!!!!

Welcome to OB!

Thanks for the kind words, Smiling! I know it will take awhile before I feel the least bit comfortable in my new position, I just want to be successful. I will remind myself of what you said when I start having doubts, thanks again! :)

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

ANYtime. Always happy to mentor new nurses. Ask anything.

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I could have sworn I'd heard there is a nursing shortage! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I'd heard that more than once. I just finished nursing school and applied for four positions at my local hospital. These are specific openings they have had on their website for quite awhile. I have not heard a word in 4 weeks. I followed up my resume with a phone call a week after submitting it. I still have not been called for an interview and all the openings are still listed. Granted, these were not your typical positions that new grads are expected to take (med-surg only, third shift only). I applied for a cardio-pulmonary position, surgery, hospice, and geriatric psych. All positions are days because having two kids (one in school and one not) makes days the best option for me right now. This hospital was "waiting for my application" or so I was told by one of my instructors who also works there part-time. They were impressed with me in clinicals and knew this was where I really wanted to work, so they had been asking her when I was going to apply. I don't know what to make of it. I finally applied for a hospice position in a neighboring community which I doubt I'll get because they want 3 years experience. I also applied for a case manager position doing home visits in the surrounding counties but I don't know if I'm even qualified. I applied for a clinic nurse job in a peds clinic, but I don't know if it would be a good idea because I would be the only nurse there and if I did get it, as a new grad who will I direct my questions to? I feel so let down, and don't know what to do next. I wanted a job in acute care where I could continue learning a lot, as I know I have a lot to learn. I even had a preceptor in ER tell me to come talk to her about an opening there when they don't usually hire anyone with less than 2 years experience (minimum). I must have impressed her. I didn't follow up with that though, because it was third shift. I guess I should just be glad I haven't gotten a rejection letter from the facility. (My good friend applied and recieved the old "We've filled our positions with applicants who more closely matched our needs at this time." I don't know if I am expecting too much, but this is depressing. I worked too hard for too long, and I'd like to make some &%#$ money now! Not to mention I'm starting to feel out of touch with all the "nursing knowledge" I acquired now that I'm not exposed to it every day. I need to get back into a clinical setting. My last acute care clinical was in May. HELP!!!! ADVICE NEEDED!!! I am getting very insecure and developing major anxiety about even entering nursing as a real nurse!!!!:uhoh3:

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

got any other hospitals to apply to? That is certainly ONE option. Some HR departments are better than others you know.......

sounds as if your HR department and managers are dropping the ball here.

If going elsewhere is not an option, all you can do is FOLLOW UP IN PERSON to the HR department of the hospital and ask where in the process your paperwork is now; if they have gone to the appropriate department, then you may need to go that manager and ask him/her where they are in the consideration/interview process.

I have learned a lot of paperwork (even electronic) gets lost "somewhere" between Human Resources and the Department Manager's offices. Sometimes, you have to pick up the ball THEY dropped and run w/it. Don't give up----follow up. It worked for me on two separate occasions, where if I had sat back, NOTHING would have materialized for me.

FOLLOW UP! IN PERSON, if need be!!!!

Good luck to you.

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got any other hospitals to apply to? That is certainly ONE option. Some HR departments are better than others you know.......

sounds as if your HR department and managers are dropping the ball here.

If going elsewhere is not an option, all you can do is FOLLOW UP IN PERSON to the HR department of the hospital and ask where in the process your paperwork is now; if they have gone to the appropriate department, then you may need to go that manager and ask him/her where they are in the consideration/interview process.

I have learned a lot of paperwork (even electronic) gets lost "somewhere" between Human Resources and the Department Manager's offices. Sometimes, you have to pick up the ball THEY dropped and run w/it. Don't give up----follow up. It worked for me on two separate occasions, where if I had sat back, NOTHING would have materialized for me.

FOLLOW UP! IN PERSON, if need be!!!!

Good luck to you.

Thank you. I actually did print a professional looking resume on linen paper with a cover letter and references the other day and thought I might just hand deliver it. (The original was an online application which I did verify was received, but that was a secretary I spoke with not the person who hires.) I think I will follow up in person tomorrow. The other area hospitals don't have much to offer. One has a staff from $%#@, another that is near is barely afloat with way too little activity for my taste. This hospital is very close, pays the best out of all nearby ones, and was by far my favorite during clinicals. I guess I'll just keep on trying. Like I said, at least I haven't gotten a rejection letter. Thank you for the advice, I was wondering if showing up at human resources to follow up would be appropriate, and you have answered my question.

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

I had to do that; show up in PERSON. Turned out, HR had done their job, the manager had my resume and app buried in a pile on her desk. When she read it, I got an on the spot interview and had a job that afternoon. It's not easy to "rattle cages" but sometimes necessary, to get what you want.

I wish you the best. Will you please let me know how it goes?

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