An obstetrics nurse is a nurse who works with women throughout their pregnancy and during childbirth. This could include prenatal evaluation and care, as well as postpartum care for the mother and child. Nurses in this field may care for patients at any stage of the process or specialize in perinatal care or labor and delivery.
If you want to work as an obstetrics nurse, you should get a licensed practical nurse (LPN) degree at the very least. Many employers prefer nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing because of the specialized care required in this field (BSN). Students in the United States must become licensed after earning such a degree by passing an exam administered by their home state’s board of nursing. The National Certification Corporation can then help you get more obstetrics certification (NCC).
An obstetrics nurse can work in a doctor’s office or a hospital after completing their education and licensing requirements. Taking vital signs, assisting with examinations and procedures, completing assessments, and maintaining examination rooms are all common responsibilities in a physician’s office. In a hospital setting, the nurse may be asked to set up delivery rooms, sterilize instruments, prepare patients, monitor patients, assist the doctor during delivery, and care for newborns right after birth.
During labor and delivery, the obstetrics nurse will keep an eye on both the mother and the baby. Typical responsibilities include administering pain medications, as well as substances such as Rh immune-globulin and pitocin, as well as other drugs prescribed by the doctor. The nurse’s job is to inform the attending physician about the patients’ conditions and labor progress. The nurse is in charge of the majority of the patient’s care until delivery, when the physician takes over and the nurse assists him.
An obstetrics nurse in a hospital will most likely provide postpartum mothers with support and education. The nurse can assist new mothers in learning to care for themselves as well as meet the needs of their newborns by providing information and care. In addition to instruction on personal postpartum care for the mother, information on breastfeeding, care of the child’s umbilical cord, and general child care education may be provided. This guidance and care can assist new parents in learning and adjusting to parenthood.
While labor and delivery are usually predictable, an obstetrics nurse must be ready to deal with any unexpected complications that may arise for the mother or baby. Preterm labor and premature delivery may indicate that the newborn requires immediate medical attention. Prolonged labor can cause stress and infection in the fetus. A breech birth can be very uncomfortable, and the baby may need to be delivered via Caesarean section. These and other complications necessitate quick action by an obstetrics nurse in collaboration with the doctor to ensure the mother’s and infant’s safety.