I've been in on several deliveries, but each one I was assisting someone---either the baby nurse, the delivery nurse or handing things to the doctor...so I never felt like it was "mine"...there would be days where myself or my preceptor would help the patient, but the preceptor would coach her and do charting...never really got to do the whole she-bang and see if I can do it...until yesterday! We were SLAMMED...I mean, if babies could fly from the ceiling, they would have been!
My preceptor was dealing with one delivery and we had another patient to deliver, so she told me to do it. I asked the other nurse who wasn't too busy (her patients weren't active yet) if she could be in there in case I needed help (the doctor was doing his charts at our station after delivery #1) and so there I was. My patient and I. I transfered her to the delivery bed, got her all set up, logged onto the computer, put on my gloves, made sure the baby warmer was ready to go with suction and O2 ready and going...the delivery table was all set (thank you to all you amazing OB techs!!!!)...and I was coaching...and charting...and coaching....and charting...I'm looking at the other nurse who is just coaching me and I'm sure I looked like a deer in the head lights...finally, its time to call the doctor, I look at her and say "Now can I get a doctor in here?"...she laughed and said "yes"...so I called for the doctor and I swear my hands were shaking so bad!!!!!
He comes in, the baby comes out...and I am, charting, running pit, handing sutures...it was amazing! Of course he's teasing me and giving me a hard time because that's just him (I really do love this particular doc! He's great!) and congratulations are being passed around. I looked at the nurse who helped me along and said thank you and she was just beams of smiles...I had done it! My goal! Do it on my own so that should the need arise I feel comfortable! I can't believe I did it, but I did!
I dread this moment! LOL I'm so not ready for that. Been present for a few of those. Freaky!!!!
I was never, ever one of those nurses who accidentally on purpose waited too late to call the doctor, but once I did the first delivery I was hooked. It is an amazing feeling. I guess in my 15 years I delivered maybe 10 babies, not counting the ones that just slid out in the bed.
Congratulations and Good job! Assisting a mom delivering a baby is really a very amazing experience. You're totally right, once you've got hands on experience, you will never be scared in facing the same situation wherever and whenever you may be!:)
That is so awesome! I am a senior nursing student, about to graduate in May. I want to do L&D. Reading that post gave me goose bumps! Thank you for your inspiration!
health care analyst
17 Posts
your post put a smile on my face. Happy for you! Keep up the good work!