CTRN1

The reason I was given for why we start the series at birth is because the vaccine's follow-up doses fall in line with the newborn visits and it can be combined with other vaccines they give. If they wait until the child is older, the parent is much less likely to bring the child in for the 2+3rd doses either from forgetting or not having insurance coverage for a misc visit. Most people bring their newborns in regularly so they can ensure they get all the doses in. In CT it is a mandatory vaccine now for school admission. I don't necessarily agree, but this is what we were told.

at our hospital we can not have pit and O2 on at the same time, it is part of policy and the doctors are aware of it, no exceptions

Hello Everyone, We offer the Heb B vaccine, and moms have to sign consent for baby to get it. It is given after delivery the same time as the Vit K. The rationale for this (as explained to us) is that if the vaccine is given at birth the timing of the next 2 doses will be due at the same time as other childhood vaccines, thus reducing the chance that mom or dr will forget to vaccinate the child. But, there is now the new combined vaccine, I think its called pediatrix or something similar, anyway, this can be used only if the Hep B is not given after birth as it already contains the dose. Thus, several of our Dr's are requesting that their babys not get the Heb B in the hospital.

THanks again for the info, I will be sure to pass it on!

Thanks Everyone!!

I was wondering if anyone can give any insight in the differences between delivering and the postpartum stay at Military VS non military hospitals. I am interested more in the patients perspective, like do they have to same options for monitoring, mobility, showering and tubs, are iv optional, etc. Also, are hospitals different on miliraty bases abroad as opposed to here in the US. Any insight either personal or if you have family/friends who have delivered in one would be great. My sister just married into military and I want her to be able to make an informed decision when the time comes to choosing where to have a baby. Thanks!!!

Unfortunately I work in a Catholic hospital which "strongly discourages" (aka-don't) discussing birth control, so mostly its nothing lady partslly for 6 weeks and be sure to discuss with your care provider you options at that point. However, we have a large clinic population with many young girls who would really benefit from teaching before discharge.

You guys are all too funny....I read about this years ago, couldnt understand it any better then. I am a big advocate for natural bith but this takes the cake I do have to say, you cant get much grosser! As a side note, on the topic of eating placenta, besides cultural reasons, I had read somewhere that it is believed that eating the placenta following delivery can help minamize bleeding, much like giving pitocin. I can't remember how it worked but a lot of people do this instead of meds. Again to each their own. You couldnt pay me to eat placenta, I would rather take my changes hommorhaging!!!!!

There is a website that lists all the midwife prorams in the united states, sorry, I cant find the bookmark at the moment, but im sure you can search for it. Many of them offer a one-year fast-track program where you earn your RN/BSN, and then go on to earn your CNM in the following two years. Although I do believe you should work as an RN before earning an advanced nursing degree, many people do the CNM progam this way. Interestingly enough, I have been told Yale University prefers to accept non-nursing degree people into their CNM program so that they may train them as an RN their way. Being an RN/BSN makes it harder to be accepted into their program as they only accept 2 or so to each year. I am not sure if all the programs are like this.

We have a kit pre-made with all the supplies needed: side drapes, towels, gloves, 6 sponges, 3 stick sponges and Iodine prep and paint. The drapes get tucked under either side of the patient to catch the iodine so that it does not pool under her. We first use the Iodine Prep, with a minimum of 3 sponges, you can use more but its not necessary. If it is a "bikini" incision we do one swipe across where the site will be, then continue up the abdomen back and forth, never over the same spot twice up to the top of the fundus; if it is a "clasical" incision, we start at the umbilicus and make circular movements outward to cover the entire abdomen. We do this with a min of 3 or all the sponges. With the last sponge used we prep the thighs and peri area with downward strokes, careful not to touch the incision site. The reason for only doing this with the last sponge is you do not want to conaminate your sterile gloves by coming in contact with the peri area so you do it last and only once. We then pat dry the abdomen with one of the towels. You are then ready to use the Iodine Paint. This is applied with the 3 sponges on sticks. The same method is used, however you paint the thighs and peri area with each one. The reason you can do this is because of the stick, your hands never come in contact with the patient's skin or peri area. After the paint is applied, we let it air dry while the Docs are scrubbing in, and the side drapes are removed. Just prior to draping the patient, the Docs will towel off any remaining wet paint to better able the drapes to stick. I hope this helps!

I work in OB and one of my recent labor patients was one who had all day morning sickness throughout her pregnancy. Her OB's office just started selling a new product. Best we could figure its a mini tens unit, looks like a watch with small buttons on it so you can choose your level of power needed. It ran about $50.00 and lasted for i believe around 150 hours (then you buy a new one). She said she had tried everything under the sun, but within 5 minutes of putting it on her nausea was gone. I would ask you ob and/or do some research and find one of these units. Good Luck!!!!

I love ER, have watched every episode since day 1, although my family has tired of me disecting every episode, it really is only about entertainment. I have just recently started watching the TLC shows and do enjoy Maternity Ward, L&D, and even A Baby Story. Being a L&D nurse and seeing it every day I can't watch every episode but it is interesting to see how other places are run, and to see certain conditions and situations we have not had at our place. I do get a kick out of A Baby Story. Its funny how they can make every birth so perfect. In my Childbirth Ed classes the series often comes up in conversation. It is amazing how some people really believe that is how things usually are. I often find myself using it to teach about the realities of birth.