To Bulb Sxn Or Not?

[LD123]

WE HAVE ALWAYS SUCTIONED BABY'S AFTER BIRTH, THE DOCTORS DO IT ON THE PERINEUM AND THE NURSES WHILE BABY IS IN THE WARMER, WE ARE NOW BEING TOLD THAT A BULB SHOULD NEVER BE USED, THE BABY CAN HANDLE ITS OWN SECRETIONS. I THINK THIS IS CRAZY, DO YOUR HOSPITALS SXN OR NOT?

[BrandnewVN2008]

i am a irritated with the allegations regarding bulb suction... many of these individuals whom are making the allegations were suctioned at birth, just as well as many of us on this site, suctioning is bronchial hygene. i am new to the nx world, and maybe i do not have the experience yet, to disagree, but in the articles i have read lately, contridict what i have witnessed and learned to do, during birth deliveries either lady partsl or c-section, these articles state that when providing oronasopharyngeal suction, nurses are causing distress which drops sao2, during the first 6 minutes of life. i am curious to know, what will be the new protocals for l& d departments ...

[Jolie, BSN]

We need to keep sight of the importance of assessing the newborn and not bulb suction simply because it is routine, or avoid using the bulb to suction a baby whose condition warrants it.

Is bulb suctioning always necessary? No.

Is bulb suctioning never necessary? No.

Unless that NP is going to attend every single delivery and ensure the clarity of every newborn's airway, she had better not be playing games and hiding bulb syringes. The last thing any baby needs is an unnecessary aspiration pneumonia caused by the bulb syringe "Nazi" hiding standard delivery equipment.

[Baby Catcher, CNM]

I don't usually suction on the perineum. I was taught in CNM school that it's not needed. I just wipe the face.

[MomX2andNurse]

NRP says no DEEP suctioning on the perineum, but definately says to bulb suction, dry and stimulate as your first steps.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I agree - no deep sxn on the perineum, but bulb syringe, definitely if they need it. Mouth first, then nose.

[lisamct]

Before I start Im aware that I seem to be always posting "we dont do that" type of posts but just want to give a different perspective so here goes...

We never suction on the perineum, in fact those bulb suction things dont even seem to exist over here, at least ive never seen one and they dont have them in the unit I work in. Usually we will wipe of babies faces but thats it.

With more minor grades of meconium, if babies cry at birth then they're not suctioned however with more severs meconium they may have some suctioning if needed.

We also never suction at c/sections unless they baby is compromised.

[mitchsmom]

Suctioning (especially if vigorous) can also make babies defensive against oral activity... i.e. breastfeeding

[CEG]

At my job they suction everything that moves, bulb, deep suction, nose mouth whatever they can get suction into. At my recent homebirth my baby was not suctioned at all and did just great. I notice many of our babies at work are spitty and gaggy despite the suction and my baby was just fine. My previous two kids were born in the hospital and subject to the same suction frenzy with no difference. It just seems to me if you can avoid it you should. Why stick something unnecessarily into a baby's nose/mouth before they have even had a chance to try to clear it themselves?

[SmilingBluEyes]

We do gentle bulb suction PRN. We do not suction at perineum mechanically, as per NRP standard. Deep suctioning should be done with caution and only as needed. Most newborns do, indeed, work out their airways with gentle stimulation, rather than suction. Mitchsmom, excellent post!

[cvssc]

Shouldn't that be a baby by baby decision. If the child is crying, vigorous, and pink???? If they need help???What then??