L&D nurses and "infertility"

kastas, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2003

I've been in L&D a short 5 years. I have not noticed that yet. I only know of 2 girls on our unit who have had miscarriages. I can only think of 1 with fertility problems. Sorry, not much help.

Jolie, BSN · Oct 27, 2003

My heartfelt sympathies to you on your losses, and best wishes that you may come to know your dream of motherhood!

I"m a NICU nurse, and likewise had problems getting pregnant. My first pregnancy after 5 years of trying was an ectopic. I then had 2 high-risk pregnancies with many long months of bedrest that resulted in healthy preemie girls. My OB begged me to quit after my second was born. Knowing everything that could go wrong, I took his advice.

I don't know if there are any studies that confirm your suspicions of OB nurses having higher than normal rates of infertility, but it did seem to be the case at the hospital where I worked. I think there's a second issue of OB and NICU nurses seeming to have a higher rate of babies admitted to the NICU, also.

fourbirds4me · Oct 28, 2003

There are currently 3 people on our unit who are having problems concieving. It is affection at least one of their work. She has major problems dealing with patients who are young, have unwanted pregnancies etc.... She is getting bitter because of her conception difficulties.

Kim44 · Oct 28, 2003

I have noticed this with nurses in general. One nurse alone has had 2 miscarriages, an ectopic, and 3 stillborns. Another 2 are currently going through IVF. A very close co-worker had a stillborn daughter at 37 weeks this past june. My non nursing friends get pregnant easily( or have an oops!) and carry full term and have normal vag deliveries. I'd be interested in any studies on the issue. I thank God everday for my healthy daughter. kim

NurseyNursey · Oct 28, 2003

I have had 3 pregnancies. One ended in a late miscarriage. I have gotten pregnant pretty easily each time.

LuvsOB · Oct 28, 2003

We are all quite fertile where I work. Lots of kids. One nurse has sixteen another young one has 8. On night shift many of the nurse in the hospital have twins. One night we did a twin c-section and both of OB nurses had twins (one has 2 sets), and the OR nurse also has twins. The pt thought it was great that all of her nurses had twins too.

AndreaRN23 · Oct 29, 2003

MAN!! Where do you work? LOL I think I need to find an assignemt to work there for a little while! :)

Kiekuh · Oct 29, 2003

I think there is some connection! I myself was on clomid/glucophage/baby asprin for 6 years.. In that time, I miscarried 4 times-but last year carried my son to term. On our unit, numerous nurses have had problems, also resulting in miscarrige or the need for meds or IVF. I too, would be interested in a study done. Best of luck to you!

L&D_RN_OH · Oct 30, 2003

Interesting. I hadn't noticed that where I work. I had 3 mcs, and 3 deliveries, but those were all before I started working here. We have a few nurses with with twins, 3 of us with babes under a year, and 3 more pg and due in spring. There is only one who is having "trouble", according to her. But technically, she has only been trying for 4-5 months.

colleen10 · Oct 30, 2003

As a nursing student in a program consisting primarily of adult learners, I know of a few classmates that have had trouble conceiving, trouble birthing and have undergone IVF/Fertility treatments or adopted children. Many of them have expressed an interest into going into OB/GYN, Labor/Delivery because they feel they can give their patients a special and close understanding because they have been their themselves.

So, perhaps in some respects nurses who have experienced these types of problems are 'drawn' to OB/GYN, etc.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Nov 11, 2003

Interesting thread!

One of my best friends, who has been a psych nurse for about 10 yrs has suffered 4 m/c and lots of infertility problems. Thankfully she was able to eventually have two beautiful & healthy sons, although both pg's were high risk.