Poll: Is OB nursing more or less physical than other areas

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 1, 2004

I think L and D is far more physically demanding. What with moving women with "dead legs" due to epidural/spinal anesthesia, some weighing in excess of 250 lb---up in bed or from gurney to bed to OR table.....lots of work and some days I go home with muscles SCREAMING. Yep, L and D is much more physically demanding, if you ask me.

tamrnmomof4 · Nov 1, 2004

Yes as stated above we also take beds apart, put them back on, roll numb patients up, over and down!! I always come home sore after a busy day!

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · Nov 2, 2004

I also find L&D to be more physically demanding...with the exception of the days on Mother/Baby when I spend 8 hrs. helping someone breast feed. I don't think I watch my posture as well!!!! :rolleyes:

SmilingBluEyes · Nov 2, 2004

In assisting with breastfeeding, it is critical to raise the bed so you are not stooping over the new mother to feed. This indeed WILL kill your back, fast, if you don't do it right.

Mermaid4 · Nov 2, 2004

Delivery and post partum are definitely physical areas with delivery winning most of the time. Just think of the positions the patients are in let alone the nurses..Then there is all that flailing around with position changes for fetal distress and everything else, not to mention trying to keep limbs out of the way of the doc and each other when the pt is out of control trying to push..These days if we are using the birthing stool and spending a lot of time on the ground or assisting the patient in the tub, I can usually count on the next day being as sore as I would be going to the gym after awhile away...And lets not even TALK about fundal pressure...

Mermaid4 · Nov 2, 2004

Man, I FORGOT about the breast feeding. Must have intentionally blocked it from my mind...Sometimes I am afraid I am going to end up in bed with the patient with some of the positions they have to be assisted with.