Parent vs. Non-parent L&D nurses: Does it make a difference?

[JacelRN, BSN, RN]

Hi everyone,

I'm not yet a parent but I'm considering going into L&D. When I was graduating, I believed I would be better suited for this specialty once having kids myself. I wanted to hear from those of you who are experienced nurses.

Do you feel that a woman who has had the experience of childbirth, or a man who has been there during a birth has any effect on the type of L&D nurse he or she makes?

Is it important to be the patient first so that you can relate more easily and therefore be a more empathetic L&D nurse?

Any opinions?

JacelRN

[riley108]

I don't know how much this helps.I don't have any kids yet and possibly may not because of some health problems.My best friend has 2 kids.She wanted her sister to be there so bad for the first delivery since her sister had given birth.her sister had an epidural and hadn't felt any pain with her delivery.She ended up not being much help to my best friend.

I felt bad for her bcse I have had other female procedures that were painful.She didn't ask her sister to be there for the second delivery but insisted that I be there again since I was so helpful.I don't think it necessarily makes a difference.I think you just have to be understanding and caring.

I thought it did matter and I thought women who have given birth had such a bond that other women didn't.My best friend's sister was laughing at her when she had a contraction.Evidently,she had no understanding of labor pain bcse she had a pain free delivery.

I guess it's like saying you have to have had cancer to be a good oncology nurse.

[nurturing_angel]

Just my 2 cents worth.

I spent 13 years as a maternity nurse. And no, I was never able to have babies.....private health issues.

Do I think it affected my ability to be a good labor and delivery nurse? No! I cared deeply for my patients and their comfort and safety. I never recieved a single complaint...not from patients or family, not from co-workers, not from doctors, that I did not do a good job advocating for my patient...

I advocated for pain med for infant boys and got that accomplished. When I left that job, some docs were using penile blocks, some just giving Tylenol before and after. But at least they were doing something.

Now that I am back to med/surg I take care of many people that have disease processes or surgeries that I have not experienced first hand. I think it goes back to really caring about your patients well being and comfort level. You can take care of any patient population with finesse and style and compassion if you do!

Much encouragement from this "nurturing_angel" to follow your heart and be a nurse where it leads you. If your heart leads you there, how can you not be a success!

Blessings

Vickie :balloons:

BTW: I have taught childbirth prep classes for many years...have many testimonials that my students were very prepared for labor, birth, postpartum and all it entails.

That makes me feel wonderful that my students feel that i do a good job getting them ready for this momentous occasion...even though I have not experienced any part of it first hand :)

[MarySunshine]

I guess it's like saying you have to have had cancer to be a good oncology nurse.

That's what one nurse I work with told me, except she said it's like saying you shouldn't work cardio until you have a heart attack. Except that if you actually did have a heart attack (or were in labor) you would be SO wrapped up in your own experience that it wouldn't be educational exactly. Patients focus on themselves, nurses focus on the patients. :)

[SmilingBluEyes]

I said this before:

does an oncology nurse need to have had cancer to give compassionate, complete and amazing care to his or her patients?

Nope. Only in OB, it would seem, are nurses expected to have been in the patients' places to be able to be good at their speciality. Unfair. Hogwash. that simply is untrue.

So don't be daunted. You can and will deliver wonderful nursing care as a labor/delivery nurse if you are dedicated, conscientious and caring. Good luck to you!

[breastfeedingRN]

I don't think that it makes a difference and actually think that it could help to not have had a baby. i have heard nurses in postpartum say things like, "why does she still need pain medicine so frequently, it was JUST a lady partsl delivery." i know that i feel really bad for c-sections because i can't imagine what it must be like. having not had a vag or c-section, i think one would be less likely to judge whether one is in pain, etc.

i say if you like L&D, go for it! good luck!