hot packs to sternum for post partum shaking?

[MIA-RN1]

Hi all. came across something new last night at work. The L&D nurse brought over my post C-sect patient and the patient had the shakes pretty bad. The L&D nurse put a hot pack on her chest, near the sternum, and it seemed to help.

I am trying to figure out the physiology behind it. My thoughts run to dilating arteries/veins and the SNS. Am I close?

[Selke]

OK folks, I have used this 3 or 4 times since I originally saw this post - IT WORKS :monkeydance: :monkeydance:

.... I have been taking receiving blankets out of the warmer and folding them so that they are about 6 inches wide and 12 inches long, then shove it down the front of her chest, under her gown, right btwn the two God given lunch boxes - and they either stop or greatly decrease their shaking.

Would love to know the physiology behind it tho.

"The two god given lunchboxes" ... :rotfl: you've given me quite a laugh and a silly visual with that one! I may use this in the future with your permission. I've told a few pts before that "god didn't give women breasts for men to play with but for little babies to nurse from!"

I'll try this technique in the future.

[jenrninmi, MSN, RN]

OK folks, I have used this 3 or 4 times since I originally saw this post - IT WORKS :monkeydance: :monkeydance:

The moms were NSVD, some with and some without epidurals. I see the shakes in most deliveries no matter how the kiddos come. Was told it had to do with hormones and the adrenaline.

I have been taking receiving blankets out of the warmer and folding them so that they are about 6 inches wide and 12 inches long, then shove it down the front of her chest, under her gown, right btwn the two God given lunch boxes - and they either stop or greatly decrease their shaking.

Would love to know the physiology behind it tho.

Hmm! I think I will be giving this a try as well. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks!

[nursejenrnc]

Whatever physiology is behind it... perhaps it's another reason that uninterrupted skin to skin contact with baby is a GREAT thing. Mom warms and calms baby, baby warms mom and helps her stop the shakes, breastfeeding, bonding... the list is very long!

Can't wait to give it a try....

[Melgajo]

I have found that pp shaking can be relieved by firmly holding large muscle groups, ie calves, thighs, upper arms. Don't know why, but it works. Usually I enlist help of Dad or visitor. I find they are happy to do something to help.

[babycatcher2B]

This is so interesting. I work in a FSBC and almost all of our babies are delivered to mom's abdomen where they remain skin-to-skin...and very few of our pts ever have the shakes. Come to think of a few cases where the moms did have the shakes the babies were almost always in dad or grandma's arms, or we took the babe to the warmer for some reason.

My last babe was born at home where I delivered her on my hands and knees. The mw passed her around my legs as I scooted down into a lateral position. My dd was then nestled next to my dependent breast, not completely skin-to-skin...and I shook like mad. Maybe there is something to this!