What is a glorified birth junkie? I think I might be one of them :rotfl: Seriously though. I think the responsibility of being the RN during the deliver will not allow me to experience the process in the way I'm imagining.
I know I sound so wishy washy, but I truly believe it's better for ALL involved that I found out exactly what goes on in L&D (as an RN) before I even take one more step.
I believe in my heart that I have a calling to be a Doula more than an RN. Though the cervix checks and helping the mom push are incredible (IMO), I think as a birth junkie I want to just be there with the parent(s) and not off charting and worrying about losing my license.
In reference to an earlier comment regarding holdingng babies", it makes me think I might have made my l&d nurses day. After a long medication free labor and eventual C-section, when I was finally alone in my room with my 1st, he was fussing and nothing I did would make him happy, I finally called my nurse and asked her what I should do. She took him from me, sat in the rocking chair in my room, and rocked and soothed him until he was quiet. As more time goes on, I realize what a blessing she was, and how that was probably a very peaceful moment for her on her long shift. People who are called to that particular line of work and definitely special.
I work both L&D and PP regularly and have experienced this! I LOVE taking a moment to calm a fussy baby for someone. My kids are big and I just love having that soft little head bouncing on my shoulder. The parents are always amazed that the baby will calm down in my arms. I would love to say that I am magical, but it really is just that I am not overheated and tense and exhausted (well, not all the time! ) and the baby will sense that and calm down. It also calms me. :D
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Would any of you mind sharing how you support a laboring/birthing family? Thanks so much
BY BEING THERE....really. And supporting their educated decisions about how they want their birth experience to go. I am there by connecting with them, learning quickly who their primary support people are (and it's not always the husband/FOB) and gaining their help/support in being there for the mom. I do include s/o's in my care plan, very much. I stand back and let THEM hold their hands, soothe them, talk to them, if it's going well. If I see they don't know what to do, I try and show them how----by using quiet, soft speaking tones, turning down lights, rubbing the mom's back or feet, if she likes this, by any number of things. I show them how to behave, how to support and how to take charge there, and then I step back and let them do it.
Those are examples.......I could go on and on and on, but you get the point. You REALLY have to consider cultural needs/mores, family dynamics and the like and incorporate all these significant people in your care plan. Sometimes, you will have to go to bat for the mom w/the doctor---for example, when a dr pushes an epidural, and the mom has made it very clear she does not want one, you may have to support this decision by reminding the dr of her desires/needs.
Patient advocacy is so important in any area of nursing and OB is no different.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
That's beautiful. When I did my OB rotation for LVN school, I saw 5 births, and cried at every one of them. I wonder how many I would have to see before I stop tearing up.
I would have been honored to have you there for the births of my 4 children.
I wanted to respond to your recent thread about your heartbreaking anniversary. I was unable to respond, for some reason the administrator would not allow my response, but I wanted to send you warm (((hugs))) and let you know that you are a valued member of this board. I for one, am very thankful to have known you. You have my sympathy and I pray that some day you will hold a little one of your own.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
The reason you could not respond, is it is in the Break Room, which is a premium feature. You can read posts there, but can't respond to them, unfortunately, unless you are a premium member. I thank you for taking the time to post your kind words here. I must say, I am not as unfortunate as some. I have two wonderful, much-loved children. I am considering adoption when my dh retires and we settle some place---most likely overseas adoption. I just feel my family is not complete......can't make it make sense.....anyhow.
I will say this:
Having had several miscarriage/ectopic losses, I can at least, on some very real level, connect with the women who come into my care, suffering similar losses. I want desperately to believe there is a purpose in my losses. It's the only way I can seem to make sense of them and deal with them.
Again, thanks. Sorry I took this off-topic, folks. I have digressed.
I guess that if you are into seeing miracles happen every time you go to work then I would qualify as a "glorified birth junkie". I wasn't planning to go into L&D when I went to nursing school but I was hooked when I saw my first delivery (besides, I can handle a screaming woman in labor any day over a sick male, no offense intended). If you think about what can go wrong with a pregnancy even before delivery, then birth is truly a miracle. I am there to support the parents & family and coach them through labor and I cannot begin to tell you how satisfying that is to me both personally and professionally. I am there for my patients, good or bad, to help them through what is hopefully the most joyful event of their lives. Granted, when it is bad it is really bad, but I am there for those patients as well to help them work through their grief. I can't imagine working anywhere else. This is as satisfying as it gets!!!!!!!1
JaneyW
640 Posts
I work both L&D and PP regularly and have experienced this! I LOVE taking a moment to calm a fussy baby for someone. My kids are big and I just love having that soft little head bouncing on my shoulder. The parents are always amazed that the baby will calm down in my arms. I would love to say that I am magical, but it really is just that I am not overheated and tense and exhausted (well, not all the time!
) and the baby will sense that and calm down. It also calms me. 
:D