Lauren

Lauren
2019-06-06 00:00:00 (UTC)

Day 2: Postpartum

[Floor 5, Shadowed Janet]

Reaction 1: After asking a question, my nurse whispers to me that she will tell me later
-Baby boy had plastic covering him in his diaper... Why? The are collecting urine & meconium to test for drugs! Mom admitted drug use and if baby is then mandatory report to DSS. Thought: Does the mom know this or is this done in secret? Does informed consent apply to this? My nurse told me that even if baby test mom still takes baby home. Thought: So the purpose is???? .. Flag for government benefits? Have on record in case future problems? Random visits or drug test? SHOCKER -- mom is being allowed to breastfeed the baby! .. She is kind of hesitant to initiate the feeding though, the nurse not only has to verbalize the baby is showing cues and hope mom figures it out, but also tell mom now is a good time to try or put the baby in the "football hold".. Also when registry came in to ask about paper mom filled out for birth certificate, mom admitted "oh I didn't know that meant that".. Thought: WHY DIDN'T YOU ASK????

Reaction 2: Unmarried 22yo baby #2. I had to put my personal beliefs aside for this. When visitors had left, we found mom asleep on her side with baby in the bed. Thought: Why is the nurse just moving the baby? Mom woke up when nurse picked up the baby.. Isn't this PERFECT timing to talk or remind about SIDS?!?!? Later on, a visitor commented on her perfectly the nurse could wrap the blanket around the baby.. visitor asked if this makes the baby feel like its in the womb or being held.. ANOTHER great opportunity to talk about SIDS...

Reaction 3: I think "baby brain" might actually be a thing. Tired dad kept coming to ask if mom could get more Motrin or Tylenol for pain.. she just received it 2 hours ago... HAHA

Reaction 4: C-section delivery came straight to the floor! Side note... during lunch I heard about the procedure from a peer who had observed. Baby did not cry & was pale.. We had to monitor mom for anesthesia because she still couldn't wiggle her toes.. Thought: how long does someone with a c-section stay in PACU, or do they even go? How did the baby get to come with the mom? Baby failed first 2 BG tests. Mom had to decide how to supplement baby: DONOR BREAST MILK (didn't know that was a thing) or formula... she chose formula.. Thoughts: I'm sure they wouldn't offer donor breast milk if it wasn't safe... nurse said one serving could possibly come from 12 different women... How did mom decide so fast??? Any fear of nipple confusion??? I wonder if she had any thoughts like, "if he won't drink my breast milk, he's not going to drink a strangers"

Overall thoughts...
1. Connected Mongolian spots, molding, & fundus height with clinical experience.
2. What is going on with all these small preemie babies?
3. If I had to pick work between L&D or postpartum, I would pick L&D

Things to look up...
- BUBBLES acronym
- Stages of bleeding ~ lochia
-Donor breast milk
-Umbilical cord stump not removed on persistent mothers who leaves 24 hours post
-Umbilical cord clamp cutter & why pediatricians don't like to do it
-Birth certificate & affidavit

Scheduling Concern..
Would it have been more beneficial for me to be on the antepartum floor before this exam? .. Hopefully not!




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