Life in Labor
Mary Hopewell
ENC 1101
Professor Rogers
June 17th, 2015
Abstract
An obstetric nurse is one who works with women from the time of puberty through menopause and also specialize in the delivery of a baby. In the work environment the days are long, tiring and require lots of standing. Job duties stream from taking the mother’s vital signs to assisting with administration of medications. The education process is a sequence of steps that concludes with passing the state exam. The average salary hourly is twenty nine dollars. Characteristics of an obstetric nurse is to be compassionate and a team player. Exploring these points illustrates for others how to become an obstetric nurse.
Life in Labor
“This women is about to push, call Dr. Sullivan!” said the Jeanne the labor and delivery nurse. I was doing my clinical rotations in nursing school when I got to experience one of the best times in my life, the delivery of a baby. The whole process of a women giving birth is fascinating. An obstetric nurse one who specializes in the area of women who are pregnant as well as taking care of a women from puberty to menopause. You may also know them by other names such as labor and delivery nurse or OB/GYN nurse. An obstetric nurse helps care for a mother during the pregnancy, during the delivery of the baby, and after the delivery (postpartum). When the mother is hooked up to a fetal monitor, you can see and hear the lub-dub of the
The definition of a Labor and Delivery Nurse is, “in the labor and delivery rooms, and birthing centers, L&D Nurses are on the front line of pending motherhood. They help calm fears and put family members at ease while preparing the mother for a birth. They assist in the delivery and care for the baby immediately after the birth, and eventually take the baby to the nursery. In cases of premature babies or babies with health problems, the L&D Nurse will consult with the doctor and others to determine what happens next in terms of medication, isolation, or possible surgical procedures” (Who are these, 2003, p. 3).
Labor and delivery nurses not only get to assist in delivery, but they get to help care for babies after delivery. After birth, the baby’s umbilical cord must be cut. Typically, the father of the baby will cut the cord, but if the cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck, it can restrict blood flow and must be cut immediately (Winder). The doctor must take charge and free the baby from choking by cutting the cord as quickly as possible. The nurse must remain calm and be ready to quickly check the baby to make sure everything is looking healthy. They must check its heart beat, clean out its nose and mouth, make sure it is breathing normally, make sure it has all ten fingers and toes, and check the weight and length of the baby (What Can I Do Now? Nursing
The information I found out about a neonatal nurse was that their duties include administering medications, monitoring vital signs and providing vital nutrients to newborns. Most premature and sick newborns have lungs that aren't fully developed, the neonatal nurse must ensure that infants are breathing and maturing properly. They provide complete care for babies, such as attend deliveries, weigh and measure infants, bathe them and monitor their health. They also teach new parents about newborn care and breastfeeding. Hospital work requires nurses to be composed, caring and in control every second of their shift. Although neonatal nurses witness the miracle of birth every day, they also view untimely
My name is Gabriela, also known as Gaby. I'm majoring in the medical field to become a labor and delivery nurse. Sociology is one of the pre-requisites for my major. Nursing and sociology relate to each other in certain ways. For example, a nurse must have knowledge of a patient's background and behavior to better understand their needs. As far as I know, sociology not only focuses on an individual's culture but also social groups and class systems. One of the most interesting topics I hope to learn from this class is, nature vs nurture and how that relates to introverts or extroverts personalities.
The demand for this level of neonatal nursing is decreasing because mothers and newborn babies are now more likely to stay in the same room together after birth. Level II nurses are much more in demand because premature and sick babies need constant attention. Level III nurses have the most intensive responsibilities, working in the NICU and monitoring seriously ill or premature infants around the clock. They check ventilators and incubators, make sure babies are responding well, and teach parents how to care for their infants properly.” Many Neonatal nurse work in the NICU. They give medical care to the babies that are at risk newborns. Neonatal nurse tend to care for 1-4 babies at a
A labor and delivery nurse is a nurse who cares for woman and newborns during antepartum, intraparetum, postpartum, and neonatal stages of birth. These nurses take vital signs to make sure the mother and her newborn are healthy. Labor and delivery nurses aren’t there for the medicine they are also there to provide support for the mother and the family. I would like to become a labor and delivery nurse because I love helping and taking care of others, especially when it comes to babies, I have always been interested in how the human reproduction systems works, and I love seeing others happy.
A nurse has an unthinkable amount of duties included in their practice. Nurses are educators, advisors, researchers, administrators, communicators, innovators, and collaborators. Nurses complete optimal procedures and consults, provide referrals for patients, participate in educating healthcare professionals, and can specialize in certain fields (Wickham, 2013). A nurse that specializes in labour and delivery performs many of the same roles as a midwife; however, there are still obvious differences between the two providers. A labour and delivery nurse has the ability to carry out routine and direct patient care in their area, assess and adjust medications as required, coordinate and facilitate discharge planning and take part of any role in the prenatal, perinatal and postnatal procedures (Wickham, 2013).
Midwives are able to supervise, care and give advice to mothers during their pregnancy. Furthermore, they are able to detect any problems that may occur if there are abnormal changes in the mother and the baby and obtain specialist assistance if needed. Obstetricians provide care at public hospitals and mothers may be able to see one if they are on duty at the time of their appointment. Women are more likely to see an obstetrician if their pregnancy becomes complicated.
Next, a non-hospital birth usually has midwifery or Doula. Midwifery is a profession in which providers take care of pregnant women during her labor and birth and during the postpartum period. Assisting the mother with the child after it is born. According to “Human Sexuality: Diversity in Contemporary America,” midwives attends the majority of births. Midwives are qualified for routine deliveries and minor medical emergencies; often operating as part of a medical term. As Cara Muhlhahn, a certified nurse midwife stated in “Business of Being Born,” she would rather be in the home of the patient so she would feel comfortable. And most women who have midwives are comfortable because they are in the privacy of their own home giving birth to their child and they feel empowered instead of the powerless vibe in a hospital. A Doula, on the other hand, does not have to make clinical decisions. Doulas offer emotional support and manage pain using massage, acupressure, and birthing positions; making it easier for the mother to cope with her complications. According to “Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier and Healthier Birth,” a Doula is a Greek word that literally means a woman who has experience that can help other women. Klaus Kennell and others who have researched the effects of the doula's presence during childbirth have come to define the term as a woman with experience in childbirth who will give the laboring mother emotional, physical and
There is a wide range of what a Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse can provide, such as planning a care system, taking vitals, monitoring patients, teaching them to care for their newborn, performing tests, recording, and charting information about patients, helping deliver a baby, and consulting with staff; just to name a few.
A labor and delviery nurse has vast knowledge of the process and methods that are required for delivery and bring a new life into the world and is educated with the responsibilities of assiting the new born babies with their medical issues. Considering all the responsibilites needed to take on this career, such as assisting women with complications within the pregnancy, delivering a newborn and managing post birth issuses, the nurse must be professional in his or her work at all times. All people wishing to pursue the career of being a Labor and Delivery Nurse must also have good analytical skills, as part of there job to montior and analyze the mother and child (CollegeAtlas.org).
I can also see myself starting my nursing career in Desert Regional Medical Center’s Women and Infants’ Center. During my Obstetrics rotation at Balboa Naval Medical Center, I assisted in vaginal deliveries by supporting patients through each stage of labor and witnessed emergency C-sections. I educated postpartum moms on breastfeeding, nutrition, vaginal care, and neonatal care. In the nursery, I had the pleasure of performing neonatal assessments and soothing neonates during circumcisions. Furthermore, during my Community Health rotation, I worked with pregnant teenagers and Spanish-speaking pregnant women to educate them on the normal physiological changes during pregnancy and on the expected physical changes after labor. I also monitored the growth and development of babies during home visits and performed depression and abuse screenings on new mothers. I truly enjoy the privilege of welcoming new lives into this world, nurturing the small and fragile to health, and supporting parents through a crucial phase in their
Before RNs can obtain labor and delivery certification, they must first obtain the necessary education, such as an associates or bachelor’s degree in nursing. There are many accredited programs that offer accelerated academic paths for working RNs who already have a two-year degree. These nursing programs include courses in biology, physiology, anatomy, psychology, nutrition and pharmacology. Besides classroom instruction, almost all nursing programs include hands-on clinical training. All programs will prepare graduates to practice nursing in a wide range of clinical settings. Students will understand the social, cultural, emotional and environmental contexts that promote wellness and produce diseases. Graduates will possess a holistic, yet scientific basis for providing medical services.
Day by day I wonder what it is like to see new life, seeing the joy in a family and sharing one of the best life-changing events. Gynecologist and nurse-midwives both witness the miracle of birth, as a female being able to be part of that miracle is an honor. Gynecologist and Nurse-Midwives or required to specialize on the female reproductive organs. Since these two careers are very similar we have to look closely at the details to see how they are different, three important things one needs to know is the level of education needed to be successful in the career, the skills and knowledge needed day by day, and of course the salaries.
Women in any society are half in the number of the population if not more. Thus, no matter their specialty, all nurse practitioners need to have the basic knowledge OB-GYN that involves caring half of the population. It is, therefore, necessary for a nurse practitioner to have the clinical knowledge and skill to take care and support of women and their families before, during, and after pregnancy. Nurses Practitioners provide education for females about pregnancy, childbirth, childcare and immunization. NP can also provide education for premenopausal women about mood swings and irritability, depressive symptoms, hot flashes, poor sleep, etc., and for postmenopausal women about hormonal change risks such as osteoporosis, heart disease, cholesterol,