cathalenem

Maybe you could tell them you'll sign a waiver saying you'll drink your water at your own risk! I agree there are way too many ridiculous rules these days!

To Alaskakat Thanks for the encouraging reply! Just curious, you live in Ketchikan AK? I had a teacher friend up there years ago from Shonebar jr. high(I know this has nothing to do with nursing) I would like to talk with you more, and also am interested in nursing up in Alaska and your area. please write to me at [email protected] thanks! Cathy

You're right! The hospital depends on surgery for c-sections. What happens is when there is a possible c-section they alert the surgery crew to be on stand-by. (The surgery crew, by the way are all at home unless there happens to be surgeries scheduled for that day) so it takes time to gather everyone and prep the OR. Maybe this is why the pt. ended up delivering lady partslly. our RT supervisor got fired recently because he "choked" (didn't know what to do) during an emergency c-section because he'd never done one! Cathy

I just took neonatal recusitation and so I had asked to go in to observe during several births so I could get an idea of what goes on and what to do if I actually had to be in on a delivery. Our hospital is only 35 beds and only one OB nurse works at a time so if we happen to get two mothers delivering at the same time I may get called in to assist at a birth. (And I want to be prepared!) You have really helped answer my questions. Sometimes I think the experienced nurses where I work get awful tired of my "wanting to know everything" ! Cathy

Thanks for your reply. This may seem like a DUMB question, not being an OB nurse, but what is a uterine window? I know everyone was talking uterine rupture because of previous c-section.Is that what it is? But the doc decided it wasn't. It was pandemonium and the patient was (needless to say) scared to death. thanks Cathy

A PE was my thought too, They didn't do anything about it, as she seemed to recover ok, sent her home after 24 hours with the babe. I think we send people home too early!I am concerned about future effects she might still have (?) I am a new grad nurse so not too experienced. What are your thoughts? I'm not sure what an amniotic fluid embolism is, could you explain? Thanks for your reply. Also the pt. is 34 years old and does have family hx of stroke (mother at age 30) Cathy

Hi We had a patient Gravida 4 para (now 4) Her first child was born c-section, the rest vbac. Her labor was induced. While laboring she suddenly got short of breath, sats dropped to 80's pulse 120's the baby decelled into the 40's then the fhr was lost for a few minutes.(they prepped for an emergency c-section) The mother was given O2 via mask, repositioned several times. She complained of numbness in one hand and in the face. Also she was having continuous contractions even after pit was stopped. They put fluid up into her uterus and anyway, the fhr increased and the mother recovered and was able to have the baby without c-section by vaccum extraction. The baby was meconium stained but is ok. However, the mother, who is very healthy (a dietician) otherwise is still complaining about her heart occasionally racing and it is documented that it get's in the 110's 120's. I am not an OB nurse and really would like to know why this happened. Any replies would be very much appreciated. thanks Cathy M

I am a new grad in Wa state in a rural hospital and get 15.75 hr. There is a 2 dollar an hour differential for nights and 1.50 extra for weekends.Our cost of living is low here. Over on the western side of the state they make almost double what we do, but I wouldn't trade my job for anything. Money is nothing if you don't like your work and you're stressed and overworked as I hear that's how it is in the biggger hositals and in the city, plus you have to consider the time and stress involved if you're commuting.