1ST Day in OB

I took OB last semester. During the L&D aspect of our clinicals depended on the amount of births that particular day. I was at the hospital that birthed the bigger percentage of babies and they delivered anywhere from 1 to 7+ in the 8 hours we were there. We were assigned a nurse to follow during the L&D process and we helped her in monitoring the fetus and mother, putting in foleys, etc. I was able to see 1 vag and 1 C-section. L&D is mostly just an experience, there is not really much you can do, as a student, on your own in L&D.

I had L&D last semester as well. The hospital I was at had its busy days and very slow days. I was able to see 2 c-sections and one lady partsl delivery. For the most part, it was alot of post partum assessments (mother and baby). We werent allowed to give meds, but we could do just about anything else that popped up...IV's, blood draws, foleys, etc. There is a huge amount of teaching invloved with new moms, so we did that more than anything (breast feeding, nutrition, infant care, etc). Other than when we participated in the birthing process, it was a little boring. Be prepared for alot of monitoring, assessments, and teaching.

I just finished my rotation in OB and absolutely loved it. My first day I spent in the nursery doing assessments on the newborns. Hopefully you will have a RN that will go through with you all that needs to be done before the baby goes back with mom. My advise is to be proactive and ask questions. I highly advise making sure you listen to heart and lung sounds, as they are different than adults. Remember babies are more stomach breathers and that will help when counting respiratory rates.

On my second day I spend with mom before and after her c-section. My nurse let me do her IV and foley. After mom came from PACU I did all of her vitals and charting. Also make sure you get to feel the fundus and how it contracts. Just like with the newborns be proactive and help with mom's care before and after delivery.

I hope you have a good rotation.

In my experience OB is feast or famine. In my case it was famine:(...I hope yours is feast!

My first clinical day in OB is in about 6 hours. Not looking forward to it, but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised. I've already hinted to my instructor that I'm willing to spend the entire time in the nursery or NICU. :)

My first clinical day in OB is in about 6 hours. Not looking forward to it, but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised. I've already hinted to my instructor that I'm willing to spend the entire time in the nursery or NICU. :)

I really liked NICU and am thinking about working there when I graduate.

Let me stress...I DONT LIKE KIDS MUCH....but I loved the babies in NICU.

Also, heads up...postpartum women don't take well to male students, but some are ok with it. I did my postpartum assessment on a nice lady...hope the same works out for you.

I, too, have NICU as my ultimate goal.

I spent most of my adult life working with inmates in the state prison, so I have a bit of contempt for adults...I love kids, though, and loved my pediatrics clinical rotation. Also, I'd rather turn a 2 pound baby than a 400 pound adult. :)

My instructor assured us that we won't have much problem with not being allowed to participate, as males...but again, I told her, "You can just send me to the NN or NICU."