services for antepartum moms...suggestions?

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Hi ladies!

I'm an RN on a high risk antepartum unit with 20 beds, I am trying to find suggestions to better our care to these moms...what kind of services do you know of that makes these moms happier where you are? We have crafts and movies...but that's about it. Please give your suggestions!

Thanks!!!

Pamela:confused:

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An extensive library of books? Sometimes just sitting with the patient and sharing lunch is mcu sought after. Just a thought

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

Book cart with bestsellers as well as parenting books, snack trays, puzzle books, mani/pedi services, someone to help with hair care for those who have to remain abed?

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

I would recommend therapeutic massage. Having been on bedrest for 14 weeks, much of that time in the hospital, I can attest to the aches and pains caused by long stretches in uncomfortable hospital beds.

Please stop short of "spa services" though. I know of one hospital that offers manicures, facials, etc., and has created an atmosphere where the nurses are expected to make nursing care "fit in" around the patient's other "obligations".

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Specializes in Family NP, OB Nursing.

I second the theraputic massages. We have a couple of massage therapists who offer 1 hour for $25, which is a great deal. I agree that the "spa" stuff isn't usually appropriate, but having someone in who can offers to cut and style hair at a resonable price is a good idea. Getting your hair done always helps you feel better.

Computer access, or a wireless computer network is a great idea also.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

We have a book cart that we keep on our unit specifically for that purpose. Staff contributes to it from our personal supply, and we also have a line in the budget (I think) for a small number of books.

Also cheap access to puzzle books - I have been amazed at the number of moms who get totally addicted to Sudoku. :D

I don't know if you guys do PT consults but we do that for all our mamas on bedrest - sometimes just having an eggcrate on their otherwise uncomfortable hospital mattress makes the difference between a good night's rest or not. And PT can do massages too, at least at our hospital.

Great ideas, all. :)

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Books, magazines, good snacks, internet, DVD's, good cable, a family friendly place with toys if other children come to visit, handheld games, puzzles, radios and/or CD players.

Hair care for those that can't get out of bed would be nice and maybe some finger/toe services but I would probably stop there as well.

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

I know our hospital provides free wireless access and in-room TV/DVD combos (with available movies to borrow).

We happen to have education classrooms right around the corner from our antepartum unit. We've had several baby showers in the classrooms or on the unit (depending on condition of mom).

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

We do baby showers too. :)

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Specializes in Med-surg; OB/Well baby; pulmonology; RTS.

What about having a stock of yummy smelling bath gels and lotions? The moms that have been in the hospital for so long and don't have access to those things would probably appreciate them.

Other than what has been mentioned already, can't think of anything else. I would have loved to have had a mani/pedi while I was in the hospital as well as a massage as I had horrid headaches. I trimmed my own fingernails as I was waiting for my c-section with my last baby (29w3d r/t pPROM/severe preeclampsia) and my mom was scared that I was going to cut my fingers off as I was so dizzy and my vision was so blurry (the mag didn't help the already blurry vision :p).

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Thank you for addressing this. I was on bedrest in the hospital for 4 weeks (additional 6 weeks at home), and I saw other patients on the antepartum wing ONE other time, there were NO group activities/movies/crafts, and I was depressed, lonely, and miserable. I would suggest access to some sort of counseling for the patients. Not once was I offered the opportunity to talk to someone about what a scary situation my baby and I were in. In retrospect, I realize how seriously lacking the focus on the psychological/emotional side of bedrest was at this particular hospital. I felt like I was in jail, and it doesn't have to be this way. Anyway, thanks again for this thread.

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