Male L&D nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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something i noticed while going through the nursing program was every male nursing students fear and dread of the obstetrics floor. in fact, one man in my class was not even able to participate much in clinical because each laboring woman denied having a male nursing student. this made me think, why would it matter? there was a male doctor in the room. do you think male l&d nurses are appropriate?

I don't know where you get the idea that you can dictate what field a male nuse can enter, just because you have a problem with getting help from a man doesn't mean the rest of us do. Personally I didn't care if my care giver had 3 arm and came from outer space as long as they helped me and my baby.

The nurery is nothing like helping a baby into the world to take its first breath. BTW in most hospitals around here the babys room in with mom the only time it goes to a nursery it goes to the NICU.

The kind if discrimination you are talking about is what women have been fighting against for decades; to deny the same rights to men is just plain wrong. IMHO

oh give me a break...i was trying to add levity to what was fast becoming a tiresome debate....let's lighten up :rolleyes: :)

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
IIf a patient requests a female nurse in L&D thats FINE, I totally respect that. But to ban men from that unit just for being a man is closed minded and outright discriminitory.

THAT isthe bottom line. Shodobe: to say men do not belong in L and D is like saying blacks do not belong.....or hispanics. Imagine nowadays telling women they cannot enter military service or go into construction, whatever. Your concern is the patient right? Ok well let me present a point to you:

Patients and their family members will GENERALLY notice and reflect the attitudes of the nurses with them. What I mean by this is, say the nurse following me is a man named Jack. I can set up the whole situation a couple ways. First, I can say, "Mary, the nurse assuming your care for today is Jack and he is a man. If you don't want a male nurse, let me know so we can change your assignment". YES NURSES DO THIS!!!!!! I have HEARD IT!!!

Or---- I can set it up this way (and this is how I do). I round on my patients with Jack, introducing him like this: "Mary the nurse assuming your care today is Jack, and you and your baby are in good hands with him. If you need anything, just ring the bell and ask for Jack".

See the difference? I know there are some who will still not want a male nurse but you know what, we have men on the unit, and these patients are the EXCEPTION, not the rule. I can't remember the last time a lady refused a male nurse for her care and they got RAVE reviews on their critique forms.

So, your argument about where men do and do not belong does NOT hold water, not at all. And it is really backward thinking and NOT helpful to our ranks or our patients. The patients DO pick up our attitudes and we must lead the way in right and non-discriminatory thinking, no exceptions. To do less is a disservice to our coworkers and our patients, alike.And, it's illegal really.

I've highlighted my op#12...I also added a few things in hopes of further clairifying my position...:)

Kate

Having experience in L&D, i think that having a male nurse would be very "uncomfortable" for not only the laboring woman but her partner as well. There are many more tasks involved in assisting in the LABOR of a patient, not just the birth of a baby. Many things are very personal and the process lasts usually for many hours and one must consider all aspects of the experience, not just the birth itself. There are processes like enemas and catherizations and back rubs and perineum stretching involved. As a woman, I do not feel i would be comfortable with a man, whom is a stranger to me, performing these tasks.

In that case, ltcdon, you can feel free to request a female staff member. There are many women, some of whom have posted here, who don't feel that way. I took care of several L&D pts in nursing school and when I worked at a rural facility. Never once did a pt (or partner) ask for another nurse. That having been said, I still don't llike L&D, far too messy for my taste. One vag delivery makes twice the mess of any GSW or Stab wound.

Having experience in L&D, i think that having a male nurse would be very "uncomfortable" for not only the laboring woman but her partner as well. There are many more tasks involved in assisting in the LABOR of a patient, not just the birth of a baby. Many things are very personal and the process lasts usually for many hours and one must consider all aspects of the experience, not just the birth itself. There are processes like enemas and catherizations and back rubs and perineum stretching involved. As a woman, I do not feel i would be comfortable with a man, whom is a stranger to me, performing these tasks.

:)

My only question is---WHY? I just don't get the reason why a guy would want to work in that environment. I have been doing this for 27 years and never could understand the appeal that L&D has for "certain" men. We had one guy a number o years back try to force himself into the Labor room only to be told NO by adminstration. I really don't think he had the patient's in mind as much as he wanted to prove a point, he lost! I work with female patients day in and day out in the OR and have never had one ever tell me they did not want me there. The only time the subject was ever brought up was when one of our Muslim doc's wife was going to have surgery. He knew me and one other guy worked in the OR and he asked us, as a favor to him and his wife, if we would not go into the room. I would not have gone in even if he had not asked because of the religious background. I think if a male nurse wants to go into the L&D, he has to ask himself, who is this for-the patient or myself? I personally think it is for the guys own crusade to try to set a precedent. Male nurses have no business in the L&D, I don't care for what reason. Women in general should know they have a place to go for privacy. This is only my two cents worth and usually isn't even worth the two cents! Mike

Yes...what is the appeal...like why do women want to prove a point by forcng themselves in firehouses, taking down the girlie calendars, and forcing the men to watch their potty mouth?...why do women have to prove a point by forcing the armed services to allow them in combat roles...to take up space in the cockpits of jet aircraft...to command, or is it commandeer naval ships. Is it for the gals "own crusade to try to set a precedent"...I think that if a female wants to do what has been traditionally a man's job, she has to ask herself, who is this for-the organization she wants to join, or myself? Females have no business in a traditional man's job, I don't care for what reason. Men in general should know they have a place to go for privacy...to not have to watch their potty mouth...to walk around the station house nekkid as a jay bird if they wish...does this arguement work as well in reverse :rotfl:

What you are basically saying then is that No men should be nurses either.

Specializes in ICU.
Yes...what is the appeal...like why do women want to prove a point by forcng themselves in firehouses, taking down the girlie calendars, and forcing the men to watch their potty mouth?...why do women have to prove a point by forcing the armed services to allow them in combat roles...to take up space in the cockpits of jet aircraft...to command, or is it commandeer naval ships. Is it for the gals "own crusade to try to set a precedent"...I think that if a female wants to do what has been traditionally a man's job, she has to ask herself, who is this for-the organization she wants to join, or myself? Females have no business in a traditional man's job, I don't care for what reason. Men in general should know they have a place to go for privacy...to not have to watch their potty mouth...to walk around the station house nekkid as a jay bird if they wish...does this arguement work as well in reverse :rotfl:

I gather you are attempting either sarcasm or being facetious?

I gather you are attempting either sarcasm or being facetious?

BOTH! I don't believe that any job should be defined as gender specific...if you have the skills or knowledge base, you should not be dicriminated against solely based on gender...if you desire a specialty in nursing such as midwifery, why is it that if you are a man, why is there a discussion about it? Where was the discussion when male OB's dominated the field up until the late 80's? Who's complaining about male midwives, or for that matter, male nurses? I think the answer is the opposite sex...we broke into nursing, and they hate it, and now that we have male CNM, they hate it even more. Just my dollar 2 ninety 8. :stone

For male nurses I wouldn't have a problem because I feel nurses in general listen to the patients more than the drs do anyway.

This is ridiculous, I have had many medical problems over the years and found the distribution of people not listening to be pretty even.

I have to disagree with LTCDON about the having males in l/d rooms. there were is addition to md who was male there was a anesthetist (male) in the delivery room.....

I have as a nurse placed catherters in males and done all types of nursing activities with a male patient I usually ask the family to step out in the hall for a minute and then do the procedure and tidy up and then on my way out I tell them to go back in

It all depends on your professional manner I would do nothing to make them feel uncomfortable or embarassed

I don't have a problem with male nurses in L&D if that is where they want to be. I can tell you that we don't have any male nurses on our unit. I can only assume that is because none are interested at this time.

Personally, I think childbirth is a very intimate personal experience. And while I think males could easily assist with labor, I think the comfort level of the pt needs to be considered. Personally, I would not feel comfortable with a vag exam, assistance with breastfeeding, or a PP perineal assessment by a male. Perhaps this is why I choose to see a female PCP rather than a male.

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