Something to entertain my pt

Venti Cappucino · Jan 26, 2003

I put together a similar basket a few years ago, for a friend in a similar situation.

One thing I did was go to a big bookstore (like Borders or Barnes & Noble) and picked up a few unusual magazines... that were within her interest, but were the type that most people don't usually buy. Some suggestions would be: fashion magazines from other countries, some of the more expensive home/garden or cooking magazines, etc. She got a kick out of flipping through those.

A couple of fun colors of nail polish is a good idea, and there are some really cool colors out there, these days!

Does she do any sort of craft-type stuff? Needlepoint, embroidery, etc?

Lausana · Jan 26, 2003

How sweet Mother/Baby! How about some colorful nail files to go with the nail polish, and some yummy foot cream that smells good (hopefully she'll have someone to give her a nice foot rub!) Oh and maybe some drink mixes for some good hot chocolates or teas.

Like the idea of crafts...maybe a beginners kit for knitting or something--something to do while she watches TV and she'll have a project to show from her couch arrest! (besides the baby of course :) )

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 27, 2003

What great deas! Thanks all!

kids · Jan 27, 2003

Since Dylan's arrival I have discovered that you can never go wrong with a disposable camera...she can get a pic of her & her nurses...visitors...etc.

A TV guide

TV crossword puzzle books ( to go with all the TV she is stuck watching).

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 28, 2003

Thanks everyone...I ended up giving her a purple covered journal, so all her family, nurses and she herself could chronicle the experience, if she wanted, some irredescent purple nail polish, a purple expandable key ring and some hair accutrements (sp)...She was touched. In the morning she did have some leaking of what might be fluid so was sad. She overheard someone taking a shower down the hall and was teary over not being able to take one (tears for other reasons, I am sure), so I dragged in my co worker (whom I had made a deal with a bit before to exhange in silly banter to get the pts mind off things). We then washed her up, asked her to pretend she somehow got a pass to a Carribean spa albeit hospital based...We heated up warm keri oil and lotion, bathed her, washed her, changed her occupied bed (though she didn't want to "bother" us, she did admit that made her feel much better)...did her nails and painted her nails. No, we didn't have time and yes, I forfeited any OT...It was worth it to make her feel at least a little better. I don't yet know what her level 2 showed that after noon, but will keep you posted. So far she is afebrile. One of our docs wrote an article about a pt of his in a similar situation who elected not to terminate, and the fetus had a stroke in utero, he says, from continual bumping up against the uterine walls. I know they are fearful of amniotic bands too....Sometimes the cases get way too personal. This is one for me...

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Jan 28, 2003

A stroke from banging your head against the wall too much? Can't be possible, or we'd all have it.

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 28, 2003

Thats what I thought, but there is more to it...According to the doc, his pt ruptured membranes earlier in her pregnancy, around 16 weeks or so, and then didn't go into labor. They were able to get her up to the mid twenties. He felt that was a contributing factor due to the fact that the skull of the infant wasn't as protected as it should be. I am not saying I agree but that was his deduction...His last name is Machinton. Don't know when he wrote the article, but maybe we could look it up somehow.Thee HAVE to been some other criteria......I am "banging my head against the wall" trying to figure the whole thing out! :)

Jolie, BSN · Jan 28, 2003

That was a wonderful thing for you to do for your patient. I had prolonged hospitalizations during both of my pregnancies, and would not have made it through without that kind of thoughtful care from my nurses. They even gave me a baby shower! I still have (and treasure) those gifts.

I'll say a prayer for your patient. We all know it is a very steep uphill battle for her. Our staff once cared for a mom who ruptured at about 18 weeks. The heartbeat continued, and so she remained hospitalized with every possible intervention to improve the outcome. The baby delivered at around 28 weeks, but had such hypoplastic lungs due to diminished amniotic fluid that he died shortly thereafter. It was one of the most heartbreaking cases I've ever seen.

Buggs · Jan 30, 2003

Its nurses like you, who go the extra mile. that make our profession shine! Thank you for being you!

Years ago we has a very brittle diabetic in and out so much that we all bonded with her. We gave her a baby shower on the unit. It did wonders for her and the morale of the whole staff. I know it is way too soon for something like that, but with some prayer, she and her baby will make it to that point!

Keep up the good work!

mother/babyRN, RN · Jan 30, 2003

Thankyou so much for all your support. She is 23 weeks today and will be with us at least another week unless something happens in the meantime. I made a good luck afghan that I want to bring in to her tonight.....I will tell her that every stich represents a good thought and prayer from all of us and all of you!

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2003

*praying for at least 24 wks*