Most people have either heard or passed on something about a woman having a higher incidence of going into labour and delivery when a full moon passes. Indeed, at the time that I was 39 weeks pregnant (2 weeks before delivering my 2nd child), the hospital I was being cared by suffered a massive boom on the night of a full moon. When I say boom, I mean in a literal sense... suddenly, the maternity wing went from relative quiet to labouring women crawling out of the woodwork. It was so bad they had to set up temporary labour suits in the multi-purpose rooms... yes, that bad. This is not the only incidence I have become aware of and now that I am (finally) studying nursing, I am wondering if any of you can shed some light on experiences you have had with full moon's and whether they have impacted (dramatically or not) on labouring women? I have a research assignment to complete, not due until february, and I thought that getting some feedback from the nurses on the net forums (as well as midwives at major hospitals in my area) would give us some great ideas. I know that dramatic weather changes wreck havoc as well, so if you have any stories i might change my hypothosis to reflect the incidence of full-moons and weather... Please please please can you help as there is very little in the way of helpful internet sites. I've no doubt that someone has already started a thread on this topic, however i'm struggling to find anything that is of any real use, so now i'm begging...
The "full moon effect" has definitely been operating down here in Phoenix the last couple of nights! My 12 hr. shift last night turned into 15 1/2 hrs of solid running! (Oh, my poor feet - foot massages anyone???) Peeked into ER though as I ran past and decided that at least on OB what we treat is NOT contagious....trying to look at the positive side here!
bagladyrn, RN
2,286 Posts
The "full moon effect" has definitely been operating down here in Phoenix the last couple of nights! My 12 hr. shift last night turned into 15 1/2 hrs of solid running! (Oh, my poor feet - foot massages anyone???) Peeked into ER though as I ran past and decided that at least on OB what we treat is NOT contagious....trying to look at the positive side here!