IamSecond

I meant running the NS as primary and the blood as a secondary as opposed to running the blood alone as the primary. I have always ran the blood with NS, but the other day my transfusion was not going in, and another RN suggested I run the blood alone, as that was how she always did it.

My hospital does not have a specific policy in regards to this aspect of blood administration. I have seen nurses here do both. How do you administer blood - alone or with Normal Saline?

My preceptor told me she thought the worst thing you could do is to not acknowledge their loss. Everyone is different, though if it were me, I think I would want the nurse to at least acknowledge my loss.

That is heartbreaking. Nurses witness so many highs and lows of human life it simply amazes me the depth of emotion we deal with daily in our jobs. I agree that there is absolutely nothing we can say to them to give them any relief from their pain. Of course I still feel compelled to want to acknowledge their loss in some way. I love that you prayed with your patients and I love that I work in a profession where many times that is a completely acceptable thing to do. That is definitely something I will consider doing with my grieving patients if they desire me to do so, It would be an honor.

About 2 months ago I started working as an OB nurse on an antepartum unit. We mainly care for moms experiencing a high risk pregnancy, a few postpartum moms and the occasional GYN patient. Recently though, we have had a few mothers whose babies were stillborn. These moms are almost always placed on our unit since it's emotionally easier for them to not be placed on the routine PP floor with the mothers and their healthy babies. I am having a hard time figuring out the best way to care for these mamas. I meet all of their physical needs but as far as knowing what to say and how to address their loss, I am finding myself struggling with the right words. Nothing seems appropriate and I almost feel when I do talk with them about it that it makes them more sad/upset. Does anyone have any advice on how to care for these mothers? Everything seems so insignificant in contrast with their colossal grief. The first IUFD I had (just a few weeks ago), I had to go and get the baby's body out of the morgue because Mom and Dad wanted to spend some extra time with him. I will never forget that sweet little one's face as I wrapped his tiny body in a blanket, put a handmade hat on his head, set him in a basket and tried my best to fix him up to be presentable to his parents that he will never know in earth (it had been a day since delivery and death was really setting in). Tears streamed down my face as I prayed over him and told him I was sorry this happened to him. It was heartbreaking but I knew I had to pull it together before I walked in to hand him to Mom and Dad. I think I will keep that memory with me for a long time. Please feel free to share your stories and advice for dealing with these situations. This is all new territory for me and I'm sure it will get easier as time goes on and I have more experience, but right now it is very difficult.