mommajoe

Thanks so much everyone for your helpful and much needed advise. I esp. appreciate gator's and webbiedebbie's threads. It is so nice to know that our profession really cares about one another. This is a great website. Thanks to whoever created it!!! Just one more thing... how do you think you would answer and define such terms as: late decelerations, fhr baseline, variable decelerations, non-reassuring vs reassuring pattern, hyperstimulation. The lawyers take the strip minute by minute and you have to answer for each possible deceleration. I hate to keep this thread running for so long, but my mind continues to try to anticipate any possible question. I love being a LD nurse, but I sure don't won't to have to do this too much.

We have 2 MD's. One prefers 10 units per 1000cc d5lr. We usually give about 200-300cc bolus then put the iv on the pump at 150cc/hr. He usually orders 1-2 bags postpartum. The other MD prefers 20 units of pitocin in d5lr 1000cc same above bolus. However if the patient was an induction--he wants 20 units added to the present bag of d5lr with 10units of pitocin added previously for the induction. I think that is a little much. But I have seen it done several ways. Sometimes if we didn't have time for an IV we have given pitocin 10units IM and it worked great. What about doubling and tripling the dosage for induction of PIH pts. do you do that?? I know it is necessary for PIH pts., but if there is any communication break down in report it could be too much pitocin.

Yes, one lawyer is representing the nurses. There are 3 nurses named in the case. We do not feel as though much preparation has been given. One nurse had malpractice ins., but not me. She did a great job of being neutral. It just seemed she tried very hard not to answer the question with anything though. Her definitions such as late decel/high risk were very vague. But maybe that is how it should be. I am very new to this lawyerEVIL world. They keep reminding us it is all about money$$$. I just don't won't to look like a fool. I happen to be the spotlight witness for the hospital as everyone calls me. It is not a nice place to be. 2 MD's have gone together against another one. Thanks so much for praying. I have prayed and prayed that I would honor my God with the deposition and that something good would come out of all this. I have been rescheduled now already 2 times. I know that God is preparing me, but it is still shakey ground. I went to a AWHONN conference last month. It is going to help greatly. Have a great night.

At the hospital I work at, we--the nurses--ck for placement and make sure the infant is in the seat properly. We have many many hispanic/lower socioeconomic patients who purchase older car seats, so it is very necessary to ck placement of the baby and also in the car. It is a hassle sometimes but can be life saving for the infant.

Next week I will give my deposition for a case involving a CP baby. I was the L&D nurse for the 7p-7a shift. I have never given my deposition with the presence of video cameras/court stenographer/7 lawyers. Can anyone give some great advise on how to tell the truth in the presence of "mucho" intimidation. I was able to watch my fellow co-worker give her deposition about 1 month ago. It was not pleasant.