Saddest I've ever been at work

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing, CPEN, Pediatrics, Obstetric.

Had to share with others who have been here too. I had a 21 week primip 36 year old. Cerclage pt last week. Came in, turns out membranes ruptured.:cry: The doppler had excellent heart rate, but she had quite a bit of fluids leaking. I then went to do the next doppler of my shift and found....nothing.:crying2: MD was there at 0100 am for another delivery, so we did us and baby had passed. I had this pt 2 days in a row, and held her hand and prayed with her, as her husband was out of town and our weather kept him away. When I left that night, we had just given her the cytotek. I had a meeting the next day, so I stopped in to say hello to them. I could tell they appreciated it.(FOB was there by the time she delivered) As I went to leave her room, she told me good luck and best wishes, as my wife is 25 wks at this time. I truly do not cry often, and I've had my share of demise pts, but It just hit me. Anyway, I was just thinking that we have a rare and awesome job among healthcare workers in that we can be in a delivery room welcoming life into the world one minute, and the next be seeing an ultrasound that shows another life never will be welcomed.

Sorry to drone on. I guess there still isn't much point to this entry, just needed to tell this. Thanks if you've made it this far!

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That is sad. I don't think I could emotionally handle that kind of stuff day in and day out.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

I'm sorry.

I experienced my first fetal demise a few nights ago. 20 weeks. I was amazed how tiny..and yet how developed it was. Very sad.

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Specializes in NICU,ICU,ER,MS,CHG.SUP,PSYCH,GERI.

One of the saddest situations I have ever seen was a premature 21 week birth.The lady was delivering with bulging membranes. The amniotic sac was intact and coming out. The baby was devlivering feet first,and you could see the litte feet in the sac. The baby had no idea he was being born and was just kicking and moving.Vibrant and very alive.His birth was his little perfect death.It still makes me sad to this day. He didn't know.We seldom know.

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Thanks for sharing your feelings.... sometimes we just need to get things like that off our chests.... many days we get to witness the awesome miracle of birth, and some we leave behind parents with empty arms.....

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These stories bring tears to my eyes. That God these young mothers and their babies and their families are surrounded by such kind people. I know you can not make the situation go away but you certainly can and do give comfort. I know it hurts you to. Bless you all.

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One of the saddest situations I have ever seen was a premature 21 week birth.The lady was delivering with bulging membranes. The amniotic sac was intact and coming out. The baby was devlivering feet first,and you could see the litte feet in the sac. The baby had no idea he was being born and was just kicking and moving.Vibrant and very alive.His birth was his little perfect death.It still makes me sad to this day. He didn't know.We seldom know.

I would be a basket case if I tried to work L&D.

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.
Had to share with others who have been here too. I had a 21 week primip 36 year old. Cerclage pt last week. Came in, turns out membranes ruptured.:cry: The doppler had excellent heart rate, but she had quite a bit of fluids leaking. I then went to do the next doppler of my shift and found....nothing.:crying2: MD was there at 0100 am for another delivery, so we did us and baby had passed. I had this pt 2 days in a row, and held her hand and prayed with her, as her husband was out of town and our weather kept him away. When I left that night, we had just given her the cytotek. I had a meeting the next day, so I stopped in to say hello to them. I could tell they appreciated it.(FOB was there by the time she delivered) As I went to leave her room, she told me good luck and best wishes, as my wife is 25 wks at this time. I truly do not cry often, and I've had my share of demise pts, but It just hit me. Anyway, I was just thinking that we have a rare and awesome job among healthcare workers in that we can be in a delivery room welcoming life into the world one minute, and the next be seeing an ultrasound that shows another life never will be welcomed.

Sorry to drone on. I guess there still isn't much point to this entry, just needed to tell this. Thanks if you've made it this far!

Bless your heart I am so glad you were there for her.

It does you good to post and get this out of your system in a sense.

I wish you many smiles and good times ahead.

Congrats and best wishes on 'your' pregnancy.

Nursing is sad at times but would we have it any other way? :nurse:

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Tele.

Many years ago, I lost a baby at 20 weeks, and the nurse cried with me. I will never forget that.

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Specializes in LDRP.

I work in a county hospital where high risk is the norm (I've only been on the floor 6 wks and have personaly experienced three deaths)--unfortunately the nurses @ my hospital encounter this kind of thing frequently. While it doesnt get easier to see and it is very sad, it does seem to get easier coping with the losses. I found that talking about it w/ coworkers and family, having a good cry, and praying gets me through each situation.

Take care!!! (((HUGS)))

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I could never do L&D. :bluecry1:

Thank you for being so compassionate to a woman who desperately needed it!

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I'm crying now. I couldn't handle L&D either. I work an adult oncology floor and can barely handle that.... :scrying:

Anyway, to the OP and other nurses who have been there for grieving parents... bless you...

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