Labor and Delivery: Pro's and Con's

ldnurse7581 · Feb 1, 2005

well, one of the (more obvious) pros is that you get to be part of bringing a new life into the world! i guess one of the cons is that there is also the flip side to it, too. (fetal demise). i know this isnt much, but i just got home from work and i cant think too well right now! hope this helps some!

~Amanda

BETSRN · Feb 1, 2005

Hello! I am a nursing student doing research on the pro's and con's of being a labor and delivery nurse (not a Midwife). I am trying to gather information on what the benefits or positive aspects of being an L&D nurse, and what are some of the negatives. If anyone could take the time out to help me out, I would appreciate it -- thank you in advance!

I LOVE what I do. However, you also asked for cons. Obstetrics (in general) is a very litigious specialty. People attempt to sue often. If your name is anywhere on a chart , you will more than likely be called to testify or at least talk with all the lawyers.

Word to the wise; L&D is a critical care specialty. Experience is paramount, as are critical thinking skills. Good luck. It's a wonderful specialty. You have to advocate a LOT for your mothers this day and age because of all the potential unnecessary intervention that some docs try and use to stave off lawsuits. The natural, non-interventive delivery is almost a thing of the past in some institutions. Too bad, too.

Califlower · Feb 2, 2005

Thank you for the responses! I was also wondering if there were anything specific related to the job of being a L&D nurse; is the work particularly strenuous? Is the stress level higher or lower compaired to other fields? Is the relationship between other health care provider good? What would be the most important thing about being an L&D nurse to offer seamless care to patients and their families? What qualifications are specifically necessary for an L&D nurse?

BETSRN · Feb 2, 2005

Thank you for the responses! I was also wondering if there were anything specific related to the job of being a L&D nurse; is the work particularly strenuous? Is the stress level higher or lower compaired to other fields? Is the relationship between other health care provider good? What would be the most important thing about being an L&D nurse to offer seamless care to patients and their families? What qualifications are specifically necessary for an L&D nurse?

Most of your questions have several answers. It can be strenuous with lots of bending and lifting. The stress can be extremely high especially when you are new and always when there is fetal distress (or you have docs causing the distress by being too aggressive. The relationship between nurses and OB's can be good or confrontational (mine is good, thank God). I guess advocating for your mother and baby is your most important job and that advocacy can take many forms. To be a good L&D nurse you have to not be afraid to jump in and you ahve to be comfortable with NOT ever being in control because things can change at the drop of a hat!

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 2, 2005

I am fond of saying about OB:

when it's good, it's WONDERFUL, when it's bad, it's VERY VERY bad.

That for me sums it up. We see 99.9% excellent outcomes, but no one should die. And when they do, it's always tragic and unexpected. Hence the "very bad". It's at these times, I would love to be NOT in OB sometimes. But I do like to be there for my patients.