Published
Our policy is for the nurse to remain in the room. I have poked my head out the door on occasion but I don't go far unless the md/midwife is there. Like Shelley said, you never know when that baby will decide to move down quickly. Besides, pushing is the end of a very physically challenging time and patients often NEED the support of more than one person. I like to be there for my patients when they need me. Not just in time to "catch" the baby.
Anita
Originally posted by HazeKI have the patient stop pushing, and often turn them to their side!
I am not an OB nurse, but when I had my children, "stop pushing" was not an option (the nurse actually asked me to stop at one point during my first and there was NO WAY -- the urge was the most overwhelming thing I've ever experienced). :) I had mine without drugs, though; I understand it's different with an epidural.
I agree, I hate those shows too. I think that most ob nurses are smart enough to not leave the pt while she is pushing. I (currently) work with two nurses that leave their pt's all the time if they are primips. They will tell them how to push and go to lunch, check back in 30 min then leave again. It drives me crazy!!!!! Not only are you not there in case she progresses rapidly, but most pt's feel very uneasy if their nurse leaves them while they are pushing. Most people need encouragement.
Oh, by the way did I mention that I just put in my 2 weeks notice at this hospital so I will no longer have to deal with these 2 nurses!!!!!!!
srose
69 Posts
Hi everyone! i'm just a nursing student, so i apologize in advance if this is a stupid question. But last week I was watching the Maternity Ward show on TLC, which I'm addicted to. Anyway, there was a mom who had been pushing for about an hour. Making progress, but slowly. No one seemed too concerned, it was her first baby, etc. But then they showed a few scenes of mom pushing with dad standing at the foot of the bed between her feet, coaching her and counting while she pushed. There didn't seem to be anyone else in the room, no nurses, no doctor, no midwife, because at some point while mom was pushing (alone?) dad freaked out and said, "okay, i'd better go get the nurse!" ran out to call her. the nurses and doctor came in, baby was delivered, everyone was fine.
anyway, it struck me as odd that a mom was who was actively pushing would be left to continue pushing alone. does this ever happen, did i miss something on the show, or what?!
sorry for the dumb question, i'll probably get the responses, "don't believe everything you see on tv! even 'reality shows!' " ...it's just been in the back of mind and i was wondering about it.
~Rose