What's your day like as an OB/GYN Nurse?

mommycruz3 · Apr 19, 2014

Anyone??

mommiesRN · Apr 20, 2014

Let's start by saying that every day is different! I work on a unit with LDRP rooms and postpartum rooms on the same floor so we are labor nurse one day and possibly postpartum nurse the next. It was my dream all through nursing school to be an L&D nurse so I know where you're coming from. I got the best care from the RN who took care of me when I had my baby and from then on I knew that's what I wanted to do. I've been doing it for 4 years and still loving it. SO....a day in the life of an L&D nurse....

i come in get changed into my hospital scrubs because we are a closed unit and head to report. We get report from off going shift on all the current patients and then assignments are given by the charge nurse. (Unless of course there's a delivery going on then you skip report and jump right in and help) If you have an active labor patient it's a 1:1 nurse patient ratio. You spend the day monitoring her vitals FHT's and contractions. Performing interventions as necessary. You chart chart chart and chart some more your heart tones every 15 minutes because more often than not your patient has gotten an epidural or started on pit at some point in the day. You keep her comfy as possible while keeping baby happy on the inside. Check her cervix if the doc requests or she's starting to feel pressure. She gets to 10 says she feels like she's gonna poop and you start supporting her in pushing. Now as you try to hold a leg your also trying to chart at the bedside computer your FHT's every 5 min while pushing. Hopefully with minimal pushing she delivers a pink screaming baby who is now your second patient and you put skin to skin with mommy and assess from there. As long as baby is stable he can cuddle skin to skin or breastfeed during this time you're starting recovery fundal massage monitoring lochia flow etc. there's a lot more to it but this is a glimpse at a perfect delivery which is rare in our world. You're right, it's not always sunshine and rainbows but even if it was a high risk situation....the feeling you get from being a part of the happiest day of these peoples lives is unbelievable. I can't imagine being in any other type of nursing. I love it. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions. I could talk OB all day!

mommycruz3 · Apr 21, 2014

Thank you so much for your feedback!! Sounds exciting.. can't wait!!