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I've only been working L&D for a few months, and EVERY true redhead I've taken care of has bled a considerable amount more than normal. PPH? I wouldn't say that, as only about 25% of those women warranted methergine. But they did bleed extrememly heavy and when it was time to get up to the bathroom about more than half have passed out cold. I've been told from the nurses who have worked there for years that we don't have many women pass out on us in general, but of those that do, 75% are redheads. I was also told in school from my OB instructor that redheads will bleed more, although there is no textbook answer for this. She has a PhD in women's health and was an OB nurse for 30+ years. I'd like to think that she knows something.

What dose of cytotec do you administer rectally? 100% of our moms have IV's. In fact, even when we get a precip, starting an IV is at the top of our list along with EFM, prenatal history and SVE. We always administer 10units of pit IVP, or if there's a bag of LR hanging with 10units pit when turn it up after delivery of the placenta. Sometimes if the OB/GYN thinks mom is going to bleed (i.e. PPH history) then he'll have us administer the pit after the shoulders are delivered. It is amazing how fast the placenta comes out after that. I would love to get away from our 100% IV rate, especially for the mom's (like me) who long for a "natural delivery". But working at a small private hospital with 20 births per month, it is unlikely to be an easy change.

They stress this is nursing school, but many people don't take it seriously.....Always double check a doctor's order with the med book.....bad orders are given, and in L&D, you have two+ lives on the line. I witnessed an IM med pushed IV (vistaril). No ill effects were caused, but they were lucky. This was per doctor's orders, so ALWAYS double check, especially when giving meds that are not usually given in your unit.

I would consider my hospital "baby-friendly". We have certified lactation consultants staffed but we do not push a woman to breastfeed who chooses not to. We ask on admission if she plans to breastfeed or bottlefeed. To asses this, I'll initially ask the mother "have you ever considered breastfeeding?" or "what are your thoughts on breastfeeding?" This will usually instigate a reason from the mother as to why she doesn't choose to breastfeed. That way, if it's something along the lines of "I probably won't be able to" or "I didn't produce milk/couldn't do it with my first baby" I'll be able to work with that mother and give her all the facts on the issue. More often than not, women choose bottle because they're afraid they can't breastfeed. There are still so many old wive's tales running around about BFing. I think it's great that the Bush Administration is advocating for BFing! More women should. It will save our government millions to possibly billions of $$$ in healthcare costs and government assistance such as WIC. But, this is the country of choice, and I firmly believe that if a woman chooses not to BF, no matter what her reasons, she should not be pressured. I respect a person's autonomy and would never judge anyone because of this issue. I'll admit, it makes me sad when I see a teenage mother with multiple children with government assistance bottlefeeding, especially when baby already has problems. But that's life, and it's not perfect....