Student nurse question r/t OB

[ShannonB25]

Ok, I am really interested in L&D, postpartum nursing. In an effort to better prepare myself for this area, I was thinking of taking a childbirth class at my local hospital. I took one about 7 years ago when I had my son, but do feel pretty rusty. I think it would be a good idea to get a little refresher on this area just in case. When I contacted the hospital and spoke to the coordinator to explain my intentions, she acted as though she had never heard of this type of situation before. Have any of you done this? Does it sound like a reasonable idea for preparation in the area or am I just way off base? I'd really appreciate any feedback on this. Thanks!!

Shannon

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"The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it."-Johan Ruskin

[wsiab]

I am a new grad startingin L&D. I think that it is great to try and seek out learning experiences outside of class to explore areas you are interested in. As part of our OB rotation, we attended a childbirth preparation class. All of the information provided in the childbirth class was simplified info we learned in our theory class. I also did my senior preceptorship in OB and my preceptor taught evening childbirth classes as well, I also attended some of these. If you are concerned about brushing up on the content, you will probably get a thourough review and learn new information in your OB theory class. However, I do consider attending childbirth classes to be a valuable experience, you get to talk to patients and see their perspective, and you get to see and evaluate teaching methods to further develop your own. The more you do to explore an area you are interested in, the more likely you are to be certain of your decision.

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

I've been on the post partum unit at my hospital for a year and a half now. Some time back I asked one of our childbirth educators if I could "tag along" to her classes. I thought it would be a good idea to get a sense of what they're being told before they get to us. She said it wouldn't be a problem, but unfortunately I haven't made the time to actually do it yet! Maybe taking the approach as an observer of the instructor, instead of the non pregnant atendee, would get a better response from the instructor. Good luck, I agree that it would be a good experience!

[jamistlc]

Greetings All Nurses,

I tagged along as a participant/assistant for the CBE a Rn who had been teaching Lamaze methods for like 15 years. She was receptive to wards my attending and helping, but the institution said that they were not comfortable with my being in the class. This was probably d/t my work HX having working at an abortion center, (the org. sponsering this is a Pro-Life).

Peace,

Have a Blessed Day,

Jami :) (DoulaNurse)