Assessing newborn on mom

Specialties Ob/Gyn Nursing Q/A

Updated:   Published

I am relatively new to a special care nursery (6 mos).  At times, we need to be the baby nurse in deliveries.  Under NRP(and our hospital policy), babies that have good term, tone, and are breathing or crying stay with mother on abdomen for drying, stimulating, AGPAR and initial assessment.  My problem is that I have a difficult time auscultating heart rate and assessing breathing when the baby is belly-to-belly with mother.  Obviously, a crying baby is breathing - but what about the quiet ones?  How do others deal with this?  Put baby on its back or side while on mother?  Any tips are appreciated!

2 Answers

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
On 7/31/2022 at 10:33 PM, Nurse Pompom said:

I don't get it.. why cant you listen to posterior lung sounds? I don't work in L&D though. 

They're not listening to lung sounds. They're listening to heart rate, and assessing breathing (which is done by looking at their chest/diaphragm).

OP, I will just gently turn baby on their side so I can access/see their front for 10-15 seconds.

I don't get it.. why cant you listen to posterior lung sounds? I don't work in L&D though. 

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