Labor - how do you organize your day?

[tsm007]

Okay, I've been doing postpartum to start my orientation, but I was hired for labor and should be moving to labor stuff soon. I've been struggling with organization with PP so I'd like to start off on the right foot with labor. Can you give me some tips for critically thinking and organizing your day for your labor patients and inductions? How do you keep yourself organized? I don't think a brain sheet works as well for labor because things can change so quickly, but I know I need something to help me remember what things are priority assessments and things I need to not forget to do?

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

This is how I do it. I write a quick snapshot of info on pt on a little square of paper. Then I go to my room introduce myself, do my assessment then and then go around my room make sure I have everything I need and that everything is set up. I also get things ready that I know I'm going to need eventually. This of course is all my ideal. It doesn't always work that way depending on my assignment or the acuity of my pt. You'll get your flow dint worry

[tweety1023]

This is how I do it. I write a quick snapshot of info on pt on a little square of paper. Then I go to my room introduce myself, do my assessment then and then go around my room make sure I have everything I need and that everything is set up. I also get things ready that I know I'm going to need eventually. This of course is all my ideal. It doesn't always work that way depending on my assignment or the acuity of my pt. You'll get your flow dint worry

I do exactly that! Except there will be many times where patients will want to deliver at the change of shift before you have any chance to organize. Sometimes people will come in and blow out a baby the second you put them in a room. Sometimes before they even get to the room. Sometimes they deliver in the car. I've seen people go from 1cm to 10cm in a matter of minutes. Always just make sure you have the essentials: help, MD available (you won't always have that either), monitor FHR, etc.

Buttttt if there is time to physically prepare I do so. At my hospital we have to take care of mom and baby after delivery. Including the baby bath and meds and full assessment with footprints and measurements. We are expected to have everything done in 2 hours (usually doesn't happen due to skin to skin and epidural) so I will gather everything that I will need for after delivery to makes things quicker. First I make sure that I have all supplies and equipment ready to go for delivery and make sure a delivery table is made. Then I will gather a full set of linen for after delivery. I will grab extra bed pads, peri pads, ice packs, mesh panties. I'll pull everything for baby med admin minus the meds (syringes/needles, gauze, alcohol wipes). I work night shift so I pull all linen for the person sleeping over. Basically anything that I can think of. Going in and out of the room forgetting little things ends up taking a lot of time and messing with the flow.

While doc is doing a repair I will catch up on charting and start cleaning equipment and such.

If someone else has a delivery and I don't have a labor patient I will go in and do their baby assessment, meds, bath, etc. so they can have an easier time with recovery. You will find your flow!