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L&D VS Postpartum Nursnig: From First Contractions To First Diaper Change
By Sara Egnatz, BSN, RN-BC
Labor and Delivery and Postpartum Nurses Find Joy in New Beginnings
DO YOU LOVE BIRTHDAY BASHES? How about celebrating a birthday each time you work? When labor and delivery (L&D) and postpartum (PP) nurses clock into their shifts, they are invited to all the parties!
Both nursing specialties have a tremendous impact on a family when a new baby enters the world and celebrates that special birthday. L&D and PP nurses bring their critical thinking and astute communication skills to the family’s first days together.
THE LABOR WHISPERER
Julie Collier, BSN, RN, is a dedicated L&D nurse with 32 years of experience. She is not merely a caregiver during birth. She strives to be a guide, supporter, and gentle presence in the most transformative journey for a new family. Julie stated, “I am driven by the desire to empower mothers to recognize their innate strength in the birthing process.”
Julie tells her laboring moms to stay calm and focused during labor. She coaches patients to understand that labor is a journey, not a destination. She was awarded the “Most Likely to Bond with Your Patients” award. Her team recognized her immense skill in caring for patients and families. Establishing trust is her secret sauce.
Emily’s one word to describe her job? “Joy!”
ORGANIZED CHAOS: Julie functions in various clinical highpaced birthing scenarios, from routine deliveries to emergencies. L&D nurses must be ready for anything, including critically ill patients who present with emergency symptoms like placental abruptions, pre-eclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage. The L&D nurse must also assist with surgical interventions, such as cesarean sections and forceps deliveries. These surgeries require high skill and precision.
Julie stresses that practicing emergency drills is critical in dealing with any potential difficulty. She also notes that detecting issues early improves patient outcomes. With her experience, she has an eagle eye for anything not going according to plan.
DELIVERY SUPPORT: Managing initial newborn care and providing psychological support during this high-stress time are also significant parts of her nursing practice. When Julie arrives for her day, she is never sure what to expect. “I have the privilege of watching this remarkable process of life unfold, and I am enamored with this beautiful, organized chaos,” she said.
Julie’s advice to nurses? Find a mentor who can guide and inspire you in your nursing specialty. “My mentor’s excellent guidance, inspiration, and challenges have played a pivotal role in my career.”
After the little bundle of joy changes from their birthday suit into the standard hospital pink and blue swaddling blanket, the PP nurse enters the chat. The L&D nurses give the PP nurse a short report about the birth and other relevant facts about the new mom and baby. In this next phase of care, the PP nurse focuses on the mom’s recovery after delivery and the baby’s immediate needs.
MAMA MENTOR
Emily Taylor, BSN, RN, works in Vermont as a PP nurse. She brings her experience working in pediatric home care and on several medical-surgical units as a new graduate. Her background makes her an exceptional guide for new families.
“My favorite aspects of postpartum nursing are educating and seeing new families created. This is true even for parents with their fourth or fifth baby! Since it is a new addition, it becomes a new family, and I love seeing them get to know their new little kiddo,” Emily enthused.
EDUCATION AND SUPPORT: Emily’s best shifts involve staying in the patients' rooms as long as needed. She provides the education and emotional support new caregivers need with a brand-new infant. Her favorite part is helping parents breastfeed, which can involve over 45 minutes of one-on-one teaching. Providing practical guidance and patient support is where a PP nurse excels.
She guides parents from barely feeling comfortable holding a new baby to independently bathing and feeding the baby. When this happens, Emily knows she has hit her nurse’s sweet spot. Her goal is to help the new parents gain confidence and grow.
SAGE ADVICE: Emily tells her patients that there will come a point in every new parent’s life when they may be at their wits end due to lack of sleep and increased stress. Parents need to feel allowed to take a quick moment to regroup. Emily advises that sometimes, the best thing for a baby is for their parent to take a short break. They should feel confident putting their baby down in a safe and secure place for a few minutes. The baby will be okay, and they need their parent to be, too. Parents appreciate this honest support. Emily’s priority is to give her patients tools for success when they get home.
Emily and Julie agree that it’s an honor to be part of this pivotal day in a family’s life. They bring their nursing excellence and generous compassion as gifts for the baby’s birthday celebration.
THE SHIFT TO HOSPITAL CARE
According to the International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, before the mid-19th century, mothers gave birth at home. Female friends, neighbors, or midwives managed the births.
Sterile delivery methods and new anesthesia caused a shift to hospital care. This trend gave “birth” to the labor and delivery/postpartum nurse specialty.
References:
Nelson, A. M. (2020). The evolution of professional obstetric nursing in the United States (1880s-present): Qualitative content analysis of specialty nursing textbooks. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances.
SARA EGNATZ, BSN, RN-BC, is a seasoned registered nurse and freelance writer passionate about health literacy. She loves to read historical fiction and hike in the beautiful state parks in North Carolina.
