OBRN2004

We have LPN's on my L&D unit. They work as a tech type position. They don't take patients. Their specific job duties include being the second license for a vag delivery, scrub personnel for c-sections and tubals, stocking the unit, assisting the RNs and MDs as needed, transporting patients, etc. That's about all I can tell you. I can't answer the other questions as I am not in their position. I can tell you that the LPN that works my shift is awesome and a god send. She is motivated and a hardworker. I can't imagine one of our busy nights without her!:yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

Our hospital provides "group therapy" for them as well as movie nights, family nights (most of our moms love showing off their children! ), games, crafts, etc. for those that wish to participate. One of our physicians wanted to hire a massage therapist for the pts, but I haven't too much about that lately, I'm sure it probably has to do with funding. It sure would be nice to offer that to the pts though.

Our recovery time for vag, c/s, and PPBTL for at least one hour, unless of course they aren't stable and then it would vary. IV's stay in for at least 12 hours post procedure. I always try to take my vag deliveries to the BR to void, it's a really good time to assess, before I send them to the pospartum floor. Even if they aren't able to void at that time, I teach them about pericare and breast care at that time. That way when they are on the postpartum floor, they have a little bit of a headstart and the PP nurse has an easier time.

I enjoy working night shifts too. I have found I have a lot more time with my family and to do the things I want to. I don't have a hard time sleeping either. Of course I have always been able to sleep anytime, anywhere. My husband also works nights, so it really works well fo us.

I personally have not seen anyone faint. We always have the family member sit at the head of the OR table where they can't see anything, except the baby on the warmer. If the family member really feels like they can't handle it, we ask that they not come into the OR. More often than not, they suck it up, because they really want to be there for the birth. Usually they are so pre-occupied with the excitement of seeing the baby, they forget that its a medical procedure.

We had a pt who was mentally challenged and in hard active labor, no anesthesia. As the baby was crowning, understandably she was not being very cooperative, she kept pushing her knees together. Of course as she is trying to push, code brown is in progress . . . large one at that! One of our resident MDs on call that night jumped onto the bed with her to try and keep her legs apart, at which time he landed knee first into the mess. Got there just in time for the baby to skid right through it into his arms. Baby taken to warmer . . . got my first look at him as I went to dry/clean it off. No kidding the kid had a poo mustache!! We laughed forever that night and even now. Definitely rememberable!!:Snowman1:

I was a new grad last year (Arkansas). Made 17.50/hr with 50% shift diff (weekend nights) ... so 26.25. This year after my eval I make 19.79/hr with 50% shift diff 29.69. New grads here started at 18.75 this year.

I work in a high risk OB setting, I wish that when a pt is transported with Magnesium Sulfate, whether it be PTL or preeclampsia, that the referring hospital would make sure that a foley is in place. We sometimes have pts that come by ground transport, been in the ambulance for 2.5-3 hours and no foley . . .their poor bladders are about to burst when they get to us! That's my main soapbox . . . I'm stepping off now.

I work with an anesthesiologist and an ob, both were RN's first. They are both awesome!!! They both say though that nursing provided them a lot more time with the patients, that they wished they had now. I think it's a good idea for md's to work as RNs. Gives them and idea of what all we do. Makes them better MDs, IMO.

Just a little update . . . This family came by to see us last night! The baby went home 2 weeks ago. He is 3.5 months old and now weighs 4 lbs. 15.5 oz. Head is still clear, but his eyes are being watched closely since he is still requiring O2. Anyway, he and his family are doing great. It was unbelievably awesom to hold him last night. I honestly felt like I was holding one of God's Little Miracles. Sorry, just so excited he is doing so well! ( I wish I could smile bigger than this!!!!)

I personally would not have a homebirth. I think being a nurse, I would worry too much, especially knowing the potential complications that arise. I do think homebirths are ok, for those pts who are low risk and are able to easily access intervention (ie emer services, hospital) if needed. :)

Right on!!! From another G0 L&d nurse

I agree, hydrate and sedate and send her home until active labor.

We use a pump.

One of my good friends is bipolar. She happens to be a nurse I work with too. She takes her meds and has no problems at work. She is one of the best nurses I have seen. You know your limits. If you think it will effect your taking care of pts, then maybe consider something else. But, if you are stable and compliant with your meds, I see no problems. Good luck, hope all goes well. :)