How hard do you work to remove all vernix?

[mitchsmom]

Hi,

I'm doing my preceptorship in L&D (I'll graduate in a few weeks);

in my regular OB rotation, the routine on that unit was to wash it off but no big deal if you don't get every bit- it's good for their skin anyway. My preceptor now at this hospital wants every little bit scrubbed off. My inclincation is "I'd rather not torture baby to get every last little bit".

What do you do? And do you use a washcloth, or wipes, or ??? (We use these wipes that are kind of smooth so even harder to get it off - though probably softer for baby).

Just curious! :)

[stamperRN]

I think each nurse views it differently, and it probably goes along with hospital procedures as well. Personally I definitely remove it from the face and as much from the body when we are stimulating for the respriations initially. I leave the rest for bath time.

[mitchsmom]

Thanks for responding...

... just to add, I'm not talking about leaving a bunch, I get most all of it, but I'm talking about every last bit from every crevice.

[BBnurseMike]

Your primary job in the delivery room is to dry, stimulate, KEEP WARM and monitor the infant for signs of difficulty during transition to extrauterine life. Also very important for mother and baby to do a little bonding. Mom won't care one bit about a little vernix! During the first bath, most of the vernix will come off easily with baby bath soap and warm water, but if a bit is missed, NO BIG DEAL!

[SmilingBluEyes]

Why would you work that hard to remove a HEALTHY and NORMAL substance like vernix from every crevice? I tell the moms and dads, it's nature's "body lotion" and it will wear off w/time. I give the standard head-to-toe bath, with baby soap, and that is IT. Excess vernix left will come off w/time. All you would wind up doing is irritating a delicate skin on a baby by trying to remove every trace----it just does not come off that easily. And there is good reason!

[fergus51]

I think a lot of nurses are just anal retentive... There is no medical reason for it to be completely cleaned off right away.

[Jolie, BSN]

I agree with SBE and fergus.

I think some nurses are overly-aggressive about removing vernix because they are fearful of contact with a "body fluid". Nurses should wear gloves to handle babies until they have had their first bath. After that, vernix will probably only remain in the creases and other "hard-to reach" spots which are not likely to come into contact with the nurse's hands.

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

I don't try to remove it at all, either. In fact, I'd like to "borrow" some of it because it's so nice.

[OBnurse3]

I agree with everyone else...get what you can off, but why torture? Vernix is heavier on preemies espicially, and isn't their skin more fragile?? It's a simple fact "It ain't easy bein' cheesy" (but your skin sure is smooth)

[harley007]

As I was kneeling on the DR table naturally delivering my second, healthy, identical twin, I called out to the PA over at the warmer, "Please stop trying to rub off that vernix." It is so good for their skin and I had specifically asked the PA before the del. not to do that. A lay midwife friend, who was being just my labor coach, still laughs about it saying "How the heck did you have the concetration to notice the vernix on twin A while you were delivering twin B?" Why can't we just stop mess'in with Mother Nature?

[Keeps]

I get off whatever comes off easily with the bath. I might be a little more aggressive if it was a mec delivery and the kid is green.

[whiskeygirl, LPN]

If it doesn't easily come off with the first bath, I leave it.

*Hint* Baby oil gets vernix and adhesive mec off easily.