Hug your kids...... - UPDATED 9/30 in OP About This Page:

[Jookiba]

This weekend has been sheer horror on our L&D unit. After times like this I start thinking maybe I should leave OB.....and I try to remember this is my passion & my whole reason for becoming an RN in the first place. It makes you think, though....and count your many blessings.

There was an emergency C-section going on with twins due to one of the worse obstetrical complications-a prolapsed umbilical cord-and this can be fatal very quickly to baby (or babies). Baby A (the boy) we coded for about 2 minutes before he came around and his sister (baby B) did much better. They were transferred to the NICU in pretty good shape.

While this was going on we got word that one of our preterm patients was complete and baby was almost out. I went running in there, donned sterile gown & gloves, caught the baby, and ran it back into the nursery (which is parallel with our OR's when we need to run codes). He got transferred to the NICU because he was working too hard to breathe.

The absolute worst, though, happened at 0655-this teen mom comes walking up screaming in agony.....she had the 2nd worst obstetrical complication-her placenta was shearing away prematurely (she was only 7 months along). There was no audible heart rate on the baby nor did we get one with the ultrasound. We ran her back to the OR for an emergent cesarean-in these cases we put them out with general anesthesia. She was ballistic (I would be too) screaming "don't cut me I can feel that" so that had everyone on edge. Of course the docs stand over her with scalpels in hand waiting for the OK from anesthesia to cut after she's out. They get the baby out, our NICU staff hasn't made it yet, so us RN's start running the code.....I am bagging the poor kid (blowing oxygen via a mask into his lungs) while another nurse is doing chest compressions.....someone else is recording while another nurse draws up meds, etc. etc. This was one of the worst codes of my career.....we didn't have a heart rate until 11 minutes of life. Baby was being run over to NICU but only had a heart rate of 100 when we left (which is a heart rate but not great by any means) and was not breathing. If he does survive there will be serious long-term effects.

I'm sorry to be rambling but I have to get this out. I usually vent to my brother who is an RN as well as he and I understand each other's work while other family members don't.....but he's at work so I came to my other family. Please hug your kids....your dog.....your parents.....your friends......and be very thankful you're here and living life.

I swear I need to just quit now and move to Florida to drive a bus for Disney.

**UPDATE 9/30** Just wanted to thank everyone for their support. When I went into work last night we were told the baby died. One other nurse also worked again last night who had worked Sunday and we just hugged each other and were exhausted mentally and physically.

[Disneydiana]

[awitelin]

Oh my, what a stressful series of events... I hope you feel a bit better now having vented.

[Chrissi]

I know it was a hard week for you, but being on the other side, I can't even count the number of times an RN has been the angel of compassion I needed at my worst moments. Many women have miscarriages (even multiple times), but I took the news very hard and the experience was horrifying for me. Both times, in those moments when my husband couldn't be with me in the OR or recovery afterwards, there was a nurse holding my hand or there to offer a hug when I needed it most. You do amazing work and those of us with the worst outcomes need you the very most.

[valegirl5292]

Most of the time we feel better after we vent, I hope you do.

[simbarel]

Originally Posted by Chrissi

I know it was a hard week for you, but being on the other side, I can't even count the number of times an RN has been the angel of compassion I needed at my worst moments. Many women have miscarriages (even multiple times), but I took the news very hard and the experience was horrifying for me. Both times, in those moments when my husband couldn't be with me in the OR or recovery afterwards, there was a nurse holding my hand or there to offer a hug when I needed it most. You do amazing work and those of us with the worst outcomes need you the very most.

[Tigger1221]

[Happymommy]

I originally applied to nursing school thinking I eventually wanted to do L&D--- that was my reason for wanting to give up teaching for nursing in the first place. After my L&D rotation for clinicals--- I think I may have decided otherwise. I had one patient that I can't even discuss without getting really upset. I think it may be too upsetting for me. Luckily, I really love med-surge, I have narrowed down that I don't want to work peds or oncology (where I am now), I'm still on the fence about L&D. Lots of pixies for you after this tough week.

[lexiemom]

[wayneava81]

I'm sure that is extremely hard to witness and have to work through. for the babies and mommies.

[Eeyore Tattoo]

My Aunt was a premee nurse for 25 years, (She is retired now) I understand how stressful it can be..

[mcc0313]

[pntsmom99]

In 1998, we heard the wondeful news "Your pregnant"...I had miscarried twice so this was so great to hear. Everything went along swimmingly until I hit eight months when I was diagnosed with Preclamsia (Wicked High///stroke level high blood pressure). My blood pressue was so high, I was admitted into the hospital, the only person I was allowed to see was my DH, who was with me almost every minute unless he had to be a work, which was overnight, otherwise he was there. I could have no contact with my family, my parents or even my friends.

I know it is exceptionally hard on nurses, but I would like to give my heartfelt thank you to all nurses for without you I would have been lonely, worried, and scared. My nurses were wonderful! They would come in and chat, keep me company, even watch TV with me for a few minutes. When I would stress at night after my husband would leave, they would come and sit with me and talk to me about my baby girl, and calm me down and wipe the tears of fright away.

My daughter was born little...just over five pound but she is perfect! I never forgot my nurses, and we still even go back and thank them.

I had another miscarriage after my daughter, and that was a tubular pregnancy that almost killed me. The doctors said no more..no matter what, as I have a 50/50 chance of survival.

To all the nurses, who are our beacons when we are sick and helpless, who have to often bear loads that we cannot...God Bless you!! Your dedication and support are appreciated more than you will ever know.

[chezp]

How terrible.

[oldmom]

A tough weekend without a doubt. As with some others who have posted I'll add mine. My 2nd pregnancy I had trouble at 18 weeks, either a placenta previa or abruptio. My 3rd went well untill 34 weeks. Thank goodness I worked at the hospital, I had looked a little pale and the nurses took my bp (110/80) it usually ran 120/80 so no grave concern. But the baby was still so the plan was to stop at the dr. office on the way home. However, it turned out to be a placenta abrutio with a complete separation. I never felt pain, no contractions or anything. I lost 20% of my blood volume in less than 5 minutes. Luckily for me they could do the c-section right away without anethestesia. As the anesthesiologist told me later "you don't give that to people without a bp." They coded my son for 20 minutes but couldn't succeed. My first memory in the recovery room is hearing the nurses crying and seeing their faces.

Pregnancy #4, we prepared for an early delivery and a final pregnancy. DD was born at 34 weeks (odd pains right below the belly button, 70% effaced, dr was afraid to wait). There was a crowd in the delivery/OR room for her birth. It was like a huge family gathering to celebrate her birth.Except for the week of worrying if she had necrotizing colitis, she did great.

Stressful, you bet, that's because you care so much. For what's it worth, you are never forgotten by those you help during those times of their lives.