Ob rotation

I'm not sure of the procedures used in the U.S for obstetrics, I'm sure they are vastly different where I am. I would look up the meds used in Obstetrics such as Oxytocin, think its called Pitocin in the U.S, drugs used for pain releif in labor. You could look at disorders of pregnancy and labor and what meds are used for these. Probably Pre eclampsia, pre labour rupture of membranes, preterm birth, prolonged labor, PPH, APH, and Gestational diabetes seem to be pretty much global concerns. That will lead you to look up the corresponding medications such as corticosteroids, magnesium sulphate, insulins used in pregnancy (there is a really good research article on the use of Metformin in pregnancy), antibiotics, RhoGram (anti D), antihypertensives that are used in pregnancy and ones that are contraindicated (ACE inhibitors & Beta Blockers are CI in pregnancy). There is also the meds used to induce labor that you might like to read up on.

Probably looking at the physiology of pregnancy would be helpful, there are lots of changes. Women have physiological anaemia because of haemodilution, and also have a drop in b.p during the first trimester usually reaching pre pregnancy levels during the 2nd to 3rd trimester. So you might like to look at the Hb levels, and why the anaemia occurs and at what levels is something done about it.

You might like to look at the different stages of labor, and how to assist the woman in active first stage. Honestly there is a lot of information, I think you could just read up on what you are interested in at this stage and I'd probably start with the physiological changes during pregnancy then concentrate on the disorders and the meds used for them.

Wow that is a lot of information ...thank you for you response!

Read up on fetal monitor strips and how to interpret them. What is considered "reactive" and "non-reactive," early decels, late decels, which are reassuring signs and which are non-reassuring.

Know your normal ranges for adult, fetal and neonatal heartbeats and vital signs. Also know how to assess, treat and prevent hypothermia, the most common cause of complications in a newborn.

You know, this is an area of health that I really have no interest in.

I hated my OB rotation this semester! The hospital where we were..the nurses could have cared LESS that we were there. They never wanted us around and were so rude to us! Because of that, there was a lot of observation and when you had a question on something, you had to look the answer up yourself. The most hands on I had my 5 weeks there was massaging a fundus. Just clarifies that I NEVER want to go into OB! I am the only girl in my group that doesn't think OB is the best.

I am beginning my OB rotation except for the fact that the instructor is an awesome cool woman,I hate this rotation, only somewhat less that Peds which is taught concurrently. The Peds instructor is a wind bag who loves to hear herself talk, carries a baby doll in class (very strange) and talks to adults students like toddlers. I have no interest in caring for babies or children. I can barely get myself to study the material because it either puts me to sleep or makes me want to gag. Do I have bad feelings towards women, no most of friends are female (yes I'm a guy), I smile at babies on the street, give up my seat on the train to pregnant women. But God as my witness I want to know nothing about birthing babies. or caring for them after birth.

I admit, I was pretty cocky going in to OB, especially since I have 3 kids and have been pregnant 6 times. I thought for sure OB was going to be easy breezy. Boy was I ever wrong. OB was simply an overwhelming amount of information.

Ob was not my cup of tea and probably never will be.

I would focus on fetal monitor strips and interventions.

Rain coat and rubber boots. Births can be juicy.

carries a baby doll in class (very strange)

Indeed!!!! Does she use this doll to teach? Or just have it because she's weird?

In regards to OB... My ultimate goal is to be a midwife- so I have to love OB. But I can definitely get where many people would be uncomfortable with it.

I would seriously say though that even if you don't enjoy it- learn as much as you can. You never know when you'll get stuck in an elevator with a woman about to deliver. :bby: (I'm mostly kidding.)

-cb

The doll is meant as a teaching tool but she keeps picking it up and carrying it. Indeed very weird. Some of us were thinking of kidnapping it and sending her a randsom note. She is the peds instructior. Our OB instructor is far to down to be playing with dolls in class.

I went to an open house at a nursing school a few years back the. It was for a BSN/MSN program where candidates had to declare their proposed specialty at the beginning. I was on of two men in the room. The dean asked everyone to introduce themselves and indicate their

area of interest. One after the other I heard. "I'm a doula and I want to be a nurse mid-wife"

"I want to work in a birth center as a midwife." When it came to me, I couldn't repress.

I want to work in Adult Health Geriatrics or Geri Psych, and I don't want to know nothing about birthing babies. I have to say it went over like a lead baloon full of spears.

I just wish I could put my time and energy to focusing on areas where I want to work. I loved surgery and a 4 hour visit to the OR

was not sufficient. Also the reality is that most of us will be far more likely to work with elder people than with children or infants.

Geriatrics is a growing area of nursing and should be addressed as such. Why not offer Geriatrics or OB Peds as electives.

But I guess that would require revising the sacred NCLEX.