Are "donuts" (invalid cushions) safe ?

[Mooncricket55]

The institution where I currently work uses "donuts" for new moms with sore bottoms . My previous institution "outlawed" them about 15 years ago. A wound care conference I attended said the cushions decrease blood flow to the perineum and pull on the repaired perineum and hemmorhoids. What do you do at your hospital ?

[rn/writer, RN]

We don't use them on our postpartum unit.

From personal experience, I can tell you they tend to "squeeze" the anatomy that sinks into the hole and really don't relieve pain all that much. I think a soft pillow is probably a better bet as it lets weight be distributed evenly and doesn't inhibit perfusion.

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

This is funny . . .haven't thought about the donut in a long time . . 24 years actually.

When my oldest son was born, I was given a donut pillow. I have to say I appreciated it as we sat down to our special meal. I remember it as being comfortable. But then think "cauliflower" . . . . (sorry)

I've never seen them since.

steph

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

3. managing tissue loads

although ring cushions (donuts) are known to cause venous congestion and edema, few studies have documented their deleterious effects. crewe (1987), in a study of at-risk patients, found that ring cushions are more likely to cause pressure ulcers than to prevent them.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

3. managing tissue loads

although ring cushions (donuts) are known to cause venous congestion and edema, few studies have documented their deleterious effects. crewe (1987), in a study of at-risk patients, found that ring cushions are more likely to cause pressure ulcers than to prevent them.

[santhony44, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't know about the use in OB.

I had a very bruised and painful tailbone a few years ago from a fall, and tried a donut cushion. It didn't help at all. What did help was to use a kid's "noodle" swimming toy, cut to about 2 feet, bent into a U-shape, and placed in a small pillowcase. I sat with the open end of the "U" at the back, and it worked quite well to keep pressure off my tailbone. I had a management job at the time and spent a lot of time sitting and it helped tremendously.

The noodle cost me $1.

[MMARN, BSN, RN]

In the hospital where I do my clinicals, they use the donuts for moms who have had episiotomies. There are some who use it, and most who don't. I don't think it's detrimental to their well-being, but it might be a bit uncomfortable at the beginning. Most of the time, though, all these new moms want are the ice packs, sitz baths, and rest. Nothing more. :S

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

ooh i would rather eat donuts than sit on them.. i prefer the glazed..lol... yes we do use donuts in our postpartum unit..

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Your wound care nurse will most certainly not recommend them. There is too much research that shows the use of donuts to be harmful.

[mitchsmom]

We don't use them. We don't even have them. Ice packs, sitz baths, meds, Dermaplast, rest, etc.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

We don't have donuts either. Like mitchsmom said...ice, sitz bath, dermoplast, tucks pads, etc.

Edited to add that in my personal experience I don't think I would've wanted one.