I'm loving my OB rotation!!!

eirthjona · Feb 8, 2004

Dont be worried

Although I have not done OB as a nurse I have as a mum of 4.

Some nurse have been realy good and others should become mums/dads before they work there. Just don't make remarks like, it will all be over soon or your doing fine, to a second+ mum, we dont take it well from people that don't look like they have had kids.:chuckle

fnimat1 · Feb 11, 2004

That's wonderful!!! Sounds like it was an incredible experience....I can't to experience that...I"ve only been on the other end of the spectrum...

Fatima

I got to see my first real birth yesterday!! It was so incredible to see and of course, I was in tears after the beautiful 9lb baby boy popped out of mom. I was told by the RN's that it was NOT a normal delivery in that it was really easy and quick. She was only in labor for about 6 hours and only pushed for about 5-10 minutes before the birth. It was a really interesting thing to see, especially since I don't have children of my own yet. Now I REALLY want to have a baby. Working around all the newborns is great, even though I would never want to work as a nurse in L & D. I have also seen some circumcisions and I'm looking forward to the first Foley I get to put in.
So far, this semester is starting out great!
How is everyone else enjoying their clinicals so far?

rpbear · Feb 11, 2004

Just don't make remarks like, it will all be over soon or your doing fine, to a second+ mum, we dont take it well from people that don't look like they have had kids.

I had this happen when I was in labor, and it care froma MAN! I was in an ambulance screaming in pain (I was 10 cm and trying not to push) when the EMT told me to stop screaming, and the female doctor with us asked him if he had ever had a baby. He of course said no and she told him then shut up, if she doesn't scream then she is going to push and we will have to deliver the baby in the ambulance. I made it to L&D but not after screaming in the elevator on the way up, on purpose! :chuckle

mitchsmom · Feb 11, 2004

about to start an OB rotation in a couple of weeks. Anyone got any advice? I am scared to death!!

another bit of advice from a 3x mom and future midwife, just something off the top of my head that I'm sure you already know (probably especially if you've had a baby)... *empower* a laboring mom instead of scaring her. Tell her she can do it, she's doing great, not "are sure sure you don't want an epidural? It might be too late if you wait!" etc... which was my experience with my second. My nurse scared me into doing it a way that I hadn't wanted to, and in retrospect I know I could have done it beautifully with a little gentle support. So, support the woman's birth goals as much as you reasonably can. I just think it's nice to try to find out what will make it a good experience for them and support that. And for anyone considering L&D/postpartum, for goodness sakes, please learn about breastfeeding and support it even if it isn't your personal choice. Learn more here about lactation, advocacy, etc. I am a breastfeeding counselor and we get all the leftover problems from nurses who don't bother -the results of a bad start really hit after mom gets home from the hospital.

I know that's not really specific "clinical" advice but I think it's important still, my 2 cents :)

sabRN2b05, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2004

Thanks to all for the advice so far (keep it coming - start my rotation next Tuesday!). I am a mom of one, but I was 23 (30 now, but I prefer to think of myself as 29 & holding!) when I had my son and was scared to death then, too. :uhoh3:

Now if I can just get started on the paperwork we have due - teaching plan, drug cards, lab reports........it all seems never ending. The lab reports - we have to say what to do if the values are abnormal. I may be posting "help needed" threads this weekend :rolleyes:

I'm looking forward to my experience - just a bit nervous cuz the instructor I have is really quick, but she's good.

Again, any other advice would be much appreciated!!!!!!! Gotta get to school!

ejm99 · Feb 13, 2004

I had a great OB rotation too.

I got to see not ONE but TWO babies born (to different patients) in the space of about 10 minutes..

as a mom myself and having given birth THREE times...it was something I really wanted to SEE from a different perspective....and boy was it!

I guess it's true no two labors are the same...and the first was a pretty scary icky experience....lots of screaming, crying, blood loss, and other ick but the baby was gorgous and perfect in every way.

the second was quick and easy...little mess, little fuss.... completely the opposite from the first.

Then in Sept a friend asked me to be w/ her when she had her baby. Now that was awesome....because her admitting nurse was a girl I went to school w/ and made sure I was kept "in the loop" w/ her L&D nurse....I was the one that was asked to talk to her about the meconium (sp? I can't spell to save my life sorry), I held her hair when she was puking, and held her hand and told her how great she was doing when things got tough...and got rewarded by seeing her beautiful baby being born. It was amazing..... I cried more than she did....later she called to thank me and said she's never had anyone that would do all I did for her and that I was going to make a very good nurse. :)

I was having doubts about going back to school til her nurse told me "your going to make a great nurse ej~".

Makes it all worth it.

slyhrtbt · Feb 13, 2004

I got to see my first real birth yesterday!! It was so incredible to see and of course, I was in tears after the beautiful 9lb baby boy popped out of mom. I was told by the RN's that it was NOT a normal delivery in that it was really easy and quick. She was only in labor for about 6 hours and only pushed for about 5-10 minutes before the birth. It was a really interesting thing to see, especially since I don't have children of my own yet. Now I REALLY want to have a baby. Working around all the newborns is great, even though I would never want to work as a nurse in L & D. I have also seen some circumcisions and I'm looking forward to the first Foley I get to put in.
So far, this semester is starting out great!
How is everyone else enjoying their clinicals so far?

Wow almost every thing you said is true for me too and I am a man. I am doing my OB rotation right now. I saw a lady partsl birth this past sunday. It was so ecxiting. One of my classmates said " look at you your glowing". I love working with the newborns. It makes me want a baby too. But I have inserted a few strait caths. I don't know if I want to work in L&D but I would love to be a nursery nurse. The hospital where I have clinicals has family centered care so the baby stay's in the room with the mother. This is the same room where the mother labored and delivered. It is realy nice and I can see how the mother would love it. Just curious, How do some of you men feel about OB and how were you recieved in OB when you did your clinicals?

Good Luck to all.

Roland · Feb 13, 2004

As a guy I am dreading my OB rotation. Do any guys have advice on making it through without too much embarressment? I was embarressed to be in the room when my WIFE gave birth to our son. Seriously, I have considered getting something like Paxil prescribed before the last semester (I am borderline social anxiety under the BEST of circumstances!). I know getting over issues like this is part of nursing (which is part of why I want to get into an ICU ASAP, and subsequently become a CRNA or NP where there is slightly more of a medical emphasis which plays more to my strengths). To an extent working as a CNA has helped, but it's a little different with older people, they are not as passionate about their modesty as young mothers. I have to believe that the OB rotation has claimed the budding careers of more than a FEW potential male nurses (the darned thing is it's not until my LAST semester, so failure at that point is NOT an option). Thanks in advance for any help on this issue.

purplekath · Feb 13, 2004

As a guy I am dreading my OB rotation. Do any guys have advice on making it through without too much embarressment? I was embarressed to be in the room when my WIFE gave birth to our son. .

Roland - when I gave birth to my first child I was cared for by a male midwife during labor and postnatally. He had to do all the "icky" stuff...catheters, checking loss and stitches, postnatal showering...the works! He helped me to handle early breastfeeding and nappy changing. My son was born with a club foot, and he sat with me on my bed as I wept, cuddled me and reassured me that it was nothing I did and that everything was going to be OK. He was there for the day 3 blues and to reassure me as I dressed my little guy in his "going home" outfit.

I will be eternally grateful to Brett - he was just wonderful. I do remember he had a wonderful sense of humor - and perhaps that was one of the ways he handled it! I'm sure you'll be fine ...it will take some getting used to, but you'll be a natural very soon I'm sure :-)

Cheers,

Kathy

slyhrtbt · Feb 13, 2004

As a guy I am dreading my OB rotation. Do any guys have advice on making it through without too much embarressment? I was embarressed to be in the room when my WIFE gave birth to our son. Seriously, I have considered getting something like Paxil prescribed before the last semester (I am borderline social anxiety under the BEST of circumstances!). I know getting over issues like this is part of nursing (which is part of why I want to get into an ICU ASAP, and subsequently become a CRNA or NP where there is slightly more of a medical emphasis which plays more to my strengths). To an extent working as a CNA has helped, but it's a little different with older people, they are not as passionate about their modesty as young mothers. I have to believe that the OB rotation has claimed the budding careers of more than a FEW potential male nurses (the darned thing is it's not until my LAST semester, so failure at that point is NOT an option). Thanks in advance for any help on this issue.

Just relax you will be fine. Your instructors should help you find patients that do not mind if a student observes the delivery. I was nervous about some of the same things before I started OB. I can honestly say it has been my favorite rotation so far. Just go in and act confident like you belong there, You will be accepted much better. Good luck to you

klone, MSN, RN · Feb 13, 2004

To an extent working as a CNA has helped, but it's a little different with older people, they are not as passionate about their modesty as young mothers.

Ha! I've yet to encounter a mother who was passionate about her modesty while in the throes of transition! Really, when you're in labor, the last thing on your mind is who's seeing your naked body.

Roland · Feb 13, 2004

Still maybe a little Paxil couldn't hurt. Does anyone know if the stuff really works?