"Linda" comes in high on meth. Delivers precipitously. Planning to put baby up for adoption as she knows DHS won't let her keep her. She's covered in bruises given to her by FOB who was "mad she because was still pregnant." Boyfriend with her is supportive. So supportive that he recently decided to start doing meth, so Linda "wouldn't have to be alone in her addiction." (his words!) Linda's sister is hovering in the background, hoping she can adopt baby as she has baby's older brother.
Day two
Linda decides boyfriend really is the FOB and wants to put him on the birth certificate. He will raise the baby, and Linda will then have access to her. Linda's sister is now crying, wondering if she is able to support this baby and does she really want her. Poor baby is starting withdrawals from the drugs.
Day three
DHS explains to boyfriend that he will have to support baby for 18 years, and baby will most likely be in foster care. Boyfriend changes mind about birth certificate. Linda punches him. His eye swells shut. Linda goes from hospital to jail. Boyfriend leaves but later comes back to the nursery and spends some time saying "goodbye" to the baby.
So sad. I've been praying and hoping that baby goes to a good home and has a good life after such a messy start. L&D is filled with both joy and sadness.
Moderator note: As previously requested, let us keep the thread on its original topic. Let's not veer off into the hot-potato topic of abortion. Anyone wishing to discuss that topic further may start their own thread, and any further posts discussing it in this thread will be deleted.
In 1969 a young woman went to the hospital and delievered a 2# baby boy and left. He was in the hosptial for a month before he went home to his adoptive parents who love him very much. His mom was a sub teacher who was on a long term deal with the school who found out about her baby boy two days before she brought him home. :)
My co workers daughter had a baby. She was on suboxone, the baby went through withdrawls. A year and a 1/2 later mom is still addicted to drugs, dad is out of the picture, she is very lucky her mom will take her baby when she can't "deal" with her. Which is pretty much every day but she isn't willing to give guardianship to her mom.
I work in psych and have had moms with post partum mania and depression. Every teach a manic woman to pump.
Many moms who's children have been taken away due to their addictions or mental illness. Some are motivated and do clean up, others don't. The drama and cycle sometimes never ends.
This is why I can't imagine working in L&D. The nurses who do are saints. I literally can't imagine sending a baby home with some people, you know?
When I see so many poster's here asking the best way to get in to L&D, I wonder, "WHY?" It's not all sunshine and rainbows there, kids.
Again, huge kudos and thanks to the nurses to do L&D!!
every specialty has their fair share of heartbreak. Truth of the matter is that the world often is not a kind place. But we do what we do so as to soften the blow and help to restore various levels of heath and dignity for the patient(s).
every specialty has their fair share of heartbreak. Truth of the matter is that the world often is not a kind place. But we do what we do so as to soften the blow and help to restore various levels of heath and dignity for the patient(s).
Totally agree with the above statement. BUT--I don't think alot of these girls who want to go into L&D are doing it for that reason. They think its an easy specialty. JMO.
Unfortunately d/t HIPPA we never find out what happens to the babies after they leave us. This particular baby went to DHS. I think there should be no problem severing the mom's rights, so she should find an adoptive home fairly quickly.
After a fetal demise, a family member wondered how I could possibly work in L&D. I told them sad things happen in life whether I am there or not. But maybe I can help and support people and make the sad things bearable. It is kind of a calling.
Mostly in L&D it's the place families are made. There's the pain of labor and the joy of a new son or daughter. Many more good stories than bad stories.
Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP
4 Articles; 5,259 Posts
Moderator note: As previously requested, let us keep the thread on its original topic. Let's not veer off into the hot-potato topic of abortion. Anyone wishing to discuss that topic further may start their own thread, and any further posts discussing it in this thread will be deleted.
Thank you, and carry on. :)