I've been in L&D for almost two years now, but only 9 months as an RN. I had a pt come in the other night who was 5 cm, she was a G3P2 and was able to ambulate from triage to her L&D room. When I got her to her room and she'd have a ctx she would just sort of pause, she was really in control. I went to the nurses station to get her consents and my pt's friend came out and said that the pt was having some pretty strong ctx's. I went back in the room checked the pt and she was 7 cm's. I asked another nurse to come in and help with an IV so that I could get the rest of the room ready and my pt started pushing. She pushed twice and said the baby was coming out. I lifted her sheet and sure enough there was the baby's head. Baby had a tight nuchal X1 that wasn't reduceable, I supported the head and perineum, just like I"d seen hundreds of times, and delivered the baby!! Pt had no lacerations and baby was fine! It was incredible, and the funny thing is I wasn't nervous or anything. I'd had lunch with another allnurses board member (whom I met online here about 2.5 years ago and who'd actually ended up being my charge nurse at another hospital I've worked at) and we'd talked about delivering babies and some of the mistakes that OB's make here in the US, and easier ways to deliver babies. I just remembered everything she said and it worked!!
Oh, and from the time I got my pt until she delivered, was less than 30 minutes! It's amazing how quickly things can happen in OB, it sure keeps you on your feet :chuckle
Congrats. I am lucky myself as I had the opportunity during my preceptorship my senior yr. The doc asked if I wanted to "help" and I thought okay....like I am going to hand him the clamp or something. Boy was I wrong. He kept saying you gotta get closer....and next thing I know I am standing "in front" of him" and thinking wont I be in Your way????
He talked me through the whole thing and standed right behind me in case I needed him. The patient was great and was totally for me having the experience. After the baby was delivered he said "want to deliver the placenta" and I said "sure if you tell me how". Again, he walked me through it.
It was a great experience although my instructor prob would have had a cow.
short1978
95 Posts
Congrats. I am lucky myself as I had the opportunity during my preceptorship my senior yr. The doc asked if I wanted to "help" and I thought okay....like I am going to hand him the clamp or something. Boy was I wrong. He kept saying you gotta get closer....and next thing I know I am standing "in front" of him" and thinking wont I be in Your way????
He talked me through the whole thing and standed right behind me in case I needed him. The patient was great and was totally for me having the experience. After the baby was delivered he said "want to deliver the placenta" and I said "sure if you tell me how". Again, he walked me through it.
It was a great experience although my instructor prob would have had a cow.
Birth is such an amazing thing.