What do L&D nurses do during delivery?

JeneraterRN · Oct 27, 2011

A lot of it is coaching the patient, making certain supplies the MD needs is available, and making certain the support person or significant other doesn't faint.

AnonRNC · Oct 27, 2011

The last delivery I was at the nurse held the fetal heart rate monitor on the mom's belly and offered verbal encouragement. She may often 'hold a leg' (assist the mom's position) but this particular mom had lots of support people.

LouisVRN, RN · Oct 27, 2011

During my birth last week, the nurse helped my midwife with providing equipment and told me I was doing a good job. She would also do intermittent auscultation as needed and suggested position changes for pain control. Also monitoring vital signs.

stephie_love · Oct 27, 2011

I am an L&D new grad, and aside from caring for mom, one of us will take on the role of 'baby nurse.' As a baby nurse, we assess the baby, measure and weigh, give vitamin K and erythromycin, foot prints, and swaddle them :) We are all NRP certified, but will call for help immediately if we have a baby that is not immediately adjusting to life on the outside. Neo is always present if we anticipate a complication - and just a few steps away if we need to call.

nurse955 · Oct 28, 2011

Everything!

Over the years, my responsibilities as a LD nurse during a delivery has not changed but it does vary slightly depending on the hospital. For example, I've worked in LD units where a nursery nurse comes to every delivery and other units where nursery is called if there is a problem or one anticipates a problem. If nursery staff is not present, my responsibilities include ensuring fetal tones are audible during the delivery, coaching pt with pushing efforts, ensuring sterility of the delivery table(family members don't touch), crowd control, supplies are within reach of the OB/GYN, administration of medication such as pitocin after delivery of the placenta, fundal massage, applying suprapubic or McRoberts manuever if directed by the OB/GYN. Once baby is delivered, newborn care such as maintaining body temperature, apgar score; measurements such as weight/height, head circumference, length(depending on the facility) and promoting breastfeeding if pt desires.

The responsibilities is different if it is a cesarean section .

souprflyhony · Oct 29, 2011

The question should be what does a L&D nurse NOT do during delivery I have been working in a combined L&D/nursery/postpartum unit for over 5 years and it is a very rewarding position. During the actual delivery the nurse plays an important role in communicating with the Pt, coaching and encouraging the patient during pushing efforts, breathing and relaxation techniques. The patient may require help with positioning if an epidural is utilized and depending on the position desired or needed. The nurse is definately the one to "direct" things during the delivery in regards to patient cues and directing the family. It is also the nurses responsibility to monitor the patient during delivery to ensure that the patient is getting enough oxygen, FHR is tracing and WNL. The nurse is responsible to notify the MD if prolonged decelerations are occuring during pushing efforts. VS are monitored during delivery also. There are instances that the nurses responsibilities even include delivery of the fetus if the Pt delivers quickly before the Dr. arrives!