Got a labor patient last night; quickly got the picture that she was a "VIP"; SO a physician, has a doula, wants a private room post-partum, even though we are full. I was very accommodating; as I am with every patient, no matter who they are. They wished for a Bradly-like experience, which I got orders for (against our normal rountine) and made the best situation out of our outdated and limited resources. Things were going great; I felt I had a good rapport with them all. My style is very quiet and gentle and I felt like we were having a good night.
Patient requested an epidural after much debate with her support persons. After wards, I attempted to place a Foley before shift change, and to examine her so I could give the doc an update, as is her rountine. The patient, though the whole shift, seemed super sensitive; to the tape on her IV to the EFM belts to the blankets on the bed. I know labor patients are hyper-aware, but it was pretty extreme. That being said, even though I talked her through the whole procedure, she screamed and jumped and sure enough; I put the Foley in the lady parts. Duh! I explained what happened and that we'd have to do it again, but I would let the next shift do it, so she would be more numb. They seemed okay with that. I apolgized, left the room to get another Foley kit handy and came back. The SO then procedued to berate me and say that I "poked" his wife twice, once during a vag exam and then during the Foley insertion and that I should be more careful as "women's urethra and lady parts are very distinct." All I could say is I was sorry. Maybe I have thin skin (okay, I really do!) but I have never felt so small. I know I am gentle and competent; I just am beating myself up. I know where he is coming from; it's so hard to see a loved one in pain. But....geez! In five years of nursing, I haven't felt so rotten.
Talked to my boss after shift, and she really listened and made me feel better. Just another night......
