i have been L&D nurse for 3 yrs (1 yr on maternity leave). Everytime i sent a pt home because they are still in early labor or cervix is closed i always check when did they came back or when they delivered and so far it has been good until now.
this happened just recently. Pt G3 walked in at 2230 appearing to be in labor, put on EFM contraction every 4 mins apart, (which has been the same since 1400 that PM based on previous NST). Cervix was still close but midline. Told pt she can go home since she only lives few mins from the hosp. come back once pain becomes uncomfortable or once water breaks. dad asked how many mins of contraction it should be, since its been 4 mins apart for few hours already i told them, 3 min then they come back on top of the above reason.
pt left at 2310 to be exact aand delivered at the hotel 3.5 hrs later at 0230. (she said because she wanted the jacuzzi there)pt came back with a baby delivered by dad. placenta has not delivered yet. Altho they did not made a complain the incident was in the paper.
During the NST i kinda pick up that the dad wasnt too pleased of coming back n forth if its still early in labour which was why i told them "oh she is in labor already and she should know its the real thing since last delivery was only a year ago (that lasted 6 hrs of labor based on hx.). and when they came back with the baby and mom n stretcher with the paramedics. one of the nurses from another floor overheared that dad saying - " i am so sorry, i am so sorry" which gives her the idea that she probably told him to go back to the hosp but he waited. too long until delivered.
now - i felt so terrible. the paper and her interview made me look like a stupid nurse. she did not mention that her cervix was still closed when she was sent home.
it did give me huge lesson on this. not just to look at the cervix but other things as well be considered. my co-worker assures me not to sweat about it and parents should take responsibility too. but its different when it is you involved.
No worries. I have done the opposite. Kept women who I thought were in labor only to leave work and return to find out they weren't in labor and the MD induced them just cause they were in the unit. GRRR!
RNBelle
234 Posts
No worries. I have done the opposite. Kept women who I thought were in labor only to leave work and return to find out they weren't in labor and the MD induced them just cause they were in the unit. GRRR!