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
Dec 5, '02
If i have a mom that's pushing i occasionally step out of the room to get something or call the dr, but only usually if it's their first baby and they've not been pushing too long, cuz sometimes the babies turn, and woah there they are! That may have been what happened on this show.
Dec 5, '02
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
Dec 5, '02
IF i have to leave the room while pushing a patient
(meaning, no one is answering the phone or call light)
I have the patient stop pushing, and often turn them to their side!
mostly, i try to avoid leaving!
hugs
haze
Dec 5, '02
it may happen but i never leave a patient while she is pushing. about as far a way as i will go is to stick my head out the door to call for help
Dec 5, '02
Originally posted by HazeK
I 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.
Dec 5, '02
it is possible that the nurse was unaware that she was pushing....just cuz there is a cam crew there doesn't mean that they are gonna tell the nurse...i mean, #1,the crew is supposed to not be noticable, right? and #2, crisis makes for good ratings...
Dec 5, '02
Gaaaaawwwwwd I hate that show........
Heather
Dec 5, '02
I am with Heather. Those shows suck. So far from reality...may as well watch ER. They show what they want....paint a fuzzy picture and make it all look so pat. UGHHHHHHHHHHH!
Dec 5, '02
srose, boy am I glad you are going into nursing. You have some real talent.
Dec 5, '02
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!!!!!!!
Dec 5, '02
Wow, I would never leave their side. If I need something or need to make a call, I will hit the call light. Someone is always around and all the other nurses do it too.
Kristy
Dec 5, '02
I never leave my patient when she's actively pushing. Now, if she has an epidural, and cannot feel much more than that "pressure" feeling, usually indicating we have a head descending nicely, I may go and check her cervix and pop my head out the door to have another nurse give the doc/midwife a call.
We also have protocols that must be followed: fetal assessment every 5-10 minutes while Mom is pushing, closer assessment if she's high risk (not quoting directly from protocols here...in the middle of a very nice 11 days in a row off of work!)
Why on earth would anyone leave a patient - alone or with a partner - while she's pushing??? I'm sure we've all had deliveries that have surprised us...babies that all of a sudden turn & OOOOPS...doc's not even here yet, and suddenly we have to don the sterile gloves and catch.
Just makes sense to me to be in the room while they're pushing, IMHO
Dec 5, '02Occupation: L&D RN Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 248; Likes: 17If i have a mom that's pushing i occasionally step out of the room to get something or call the dr, but only usually if it's their first baby and they've not been pushing too long, cuz sometimes the babies turn, and woah there they are! That may have been what happened on this show.
Dec 5, '02From: NY, US ; Joined: May '02; Posts: 4,130; Likes: 91it is possible that the nurse was unaware that she was pushing....just cuz there is a cam crew there doesn't mean that they are gonna tell the nurse...i mean, #1,the crew is supposed to not be noticable, right? and #2, crisis makes for good ratings...
Dec 5, '02Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 38,751; Likes: 16,271I am with Heather. Those shows suck. So far from reality...may as well watch ER. They show what they want....paint a fuzzy picture and make it all look so pat. UGHHHHHHHHHHH!
Dec 5, '02Occupation: Labor, Delivery, Post Partum and Newborn RN Specialty: 10 year(s) of experience in OB, Post Partum, Home Health ; Joined: Dec '00; Posts: 291; Likes: 34I 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.
