As an OB Nurse how do you deal with emotions toward drug using mothers to be?

iteachob, MSN, RN · Oct 28, 2013

I understand your concern. Here is how I look at it.....I had a great childhood, have never been abused, neglected, beaten. But, this is not true for everyone. Many women who have had very rough or abusive childhoods or current situations will turn to drugs as an escape. In fact, most women who do abuse drugs do have history of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional). It doesn't make it okay, but I do find it easier to have compassion. Remember, also, that addiction is a phenomenon of great power.

Too, many of these women have a great deal of guilt about their drug use during pregnancy and they fear judgement from health care professionals. In addition, they may fear loss of custody. It is the nurse's responsibility to make possible a therapeutic, trusting relationship. We can't help a mom with substance abuse problems in any way if she doesn't feel she is able to trust.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2013

I think this is something far off t be worrying about. You are so early in your nursing journey. You may or may not end up in L&D. You may have clinical in it and hate it. You may like it but discover something you like far more. There are so many other things. I deal with it the same way one deals with the many hard things we see. I, personally, treat them as I would any other patient. There are many hardships people face and it's not my job to judge them. Many people make mistakes, sometimes those are the people that may need the most help. Also you are not going to generally know who really does or doesn't use. Most people are not going to tell you they smoke, drink, or used illicit drugs. You aren't going to drug screen every pt. Things are just different when it's you and that patient one on one. You see them for a lot more which also makes it easier. Just because someone is pregnant and has a substance abuse problem doesn't make it any easier to get clean. Just try to keep an open mind and heart, do your best and it's not that hard.

Elle23 · Oct 29, 2013

There but for the grace of God go I...

That is how I deal with it.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Oct 29, 2013

I'm applying to nursing school this winter for Fall 2014 and have always wanted to be in LD. I'm interested to know how those of you in LD handle moms that come in to deliver, but have been using drugs or smoking/drinking throughout their pregnancy. I'm know that one of the biggest challenges I will have is finding a way to remain compassionate and professional (put aside my personal feelings) in this situation. Please understand this is less regarding a judgement toward the mom and more out of concern for the child and its welfare. I just assume that if the mother isn't worried about consuming while pregnant, she'll be less worried once the baby is actually born. How do those of you that work there do this on a daily basis?

Drug Moms come in one of two categories: (there is no in-between)

1. The truly regretful.

2. The ones that don't care...it's an inconvenience for them and they cannot understand why everyone is in "their" business.

You end up dealing with it by seeing it over and over again...once you have seen a tragedy so much, it's easier to manage. The hard part isn't dealing with the mothers...it's of knowing that social services 95% of the time, send these babies home with mothers so impaired that they can barely move. Unfortunately, you'll also get very good at predicting which babies end up in the obituary and parents in the newspaper.

tx2stepper · Oct 30, 2013

Thank you all for the responses. It helps to be able to ask and receive the insight of those of you that do it. I simply questioned it because as a mom, it is the only thing about going into Nursing that has given me the slightest pause in how I may handle it (I know- not even there yet...lol). Just thinking ahead-I've waited a long time to do this :)