Maternity Rotation

[Kaligirl02, ADN, BSN, MSN, LVN, RN, APRN, NP]

Hi everyone! I am starting my OB rotation in a few weeks and was wondering if I could get some input on how others went. Did you actually get to do something or was it observation only? I know it is a very specialized and we probably won't get to do much. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

[RunBabyRN]

I was in a traditional BSN program, but I was checking cervices and massaging fundi and assisting with breastfeeding and helping with teaching. I would imagine this will all vary by your school, the hospital, the teacher, and the student. I plan to be a midwife, and my teacher let me do everything, so I did!

[christina731]

I just finished my OB rotation for my ADN program. The facility that I was at had some nurses that were quite possessive of their patients so if I was paired up with one of them I knew it was going to be an observational day. There were a few nurses that allowed me to be more hands on and I was able to insert/ remove foleys, perform sterile lady partsl exams, start/discontinue IV's, give meds (oral, rectal, IV), perform newborn assessments/assign APGAR's, perform admission/postpartum assessments, perform discharge teaching and assist with/teach peri care among others. I guess it really depends on your facility, the nurses and your instructors. I was even able to assist in the OR for c-sections (retracting tissue, assisting with counting instruments, setting the patient up on the table...). It was a pretty cool experience, although I'm not sure if it's a field that I would enjoy working in.

[Uncle Rico]

As a guy I spent I spent 99% of my OB rotation in the nursery administering APGAR scores, assisting with circumcisions, feedings, newborn baths, administering Vit K. and Erythromycin, changing diapers, urine cultures, vitals. Would have liked more time in the other L&D units but most of the women wanted to maintain some sort of modesty.

[christina731]

As a guy I spent I spent 99% of my OB rotation in the nursery administering APGAR scores, assisting with circumcisions, feedings, newborn baths, administering Vit K. and Erythromycin, changing diapers, urine cultures, vitals. Would have liked more time in the other L&D units but most of the women wanted to maintain some sort of modesty.

That's unfortunate...I always wondered why women didn't mind it if their MD was male but the minute a male nurse came in the patient and their partner were upset. I was lucky enough to have 5 males in my clinical group of 8 and they had some good opportunities in L&D. I really don't think gender matters, knowledge and skill does!

[Kaligirl02, ADN, BSN, MSN, LVN, RN, APRN, NP]

Thanks for the info everyone! I am taking Mental Health and Maternity at the same time, so I guess I better get ready for this ride!

[christina731]

Thanks for the info everyone! I am taking Mental Health and Maternity at the same time, so I guess I better get ready for this ride!

May the force be with you...I had them in separate semesters (medsurg I with mental health and maternal newborn with pediatrics) and if would have had to take them together I would end up being a mental health patient lol! Separate they were ok but together...oy...

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

During my LVN program I observed a lady partsl birth assisted with suction.

During the LPN-to-RN program I observed no births, spent one day in the NICU, and completed care plans on antepartal mothers.

[Kaligirl02, ADN, BSN, MSN, LVN, RN, APRN, NP]

Thx Commuter! During my LPN rotation I did not see anything at all. I basically spent 3 days following a tech. I am not a big fan of L&D, but was told that a lot of students go into L&D hating it and come out loving it. We will see :-/