Labour Nurse

• Meeting with expectant mothers for prenatal visits and providing care for normal and problematic pregnancies.
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  Teaching childbirth preparation classes.
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  Providing information, guidance, and hands-on clinical care to pregnant women.
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  Monitoring fetal heartbeat and length and strength of contractions during labor.
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  Coaching women, assisting with any complications and administering medications during birth.
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  Performing tests on newborns after birth.
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  Providing guidance to new mothers on all aspects of recovery and infant care.
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  Using equipment and administering medications related to labor, delivery, and the care of newborns.

• Sits with and monitors patient throughout (before/during/after) the labor
  
• Monitors contractions and helps patients with breathing techniques
  
• Performs basic IV and central line skills
  
• Performs phlebotomy skills
  
• Knowledge of thermodynamics
  
• Administers pain medication as ordered; administers other beds to address specific medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes.
  
• Takes and records patient’s vital signs, ascertains if problematic
  
• Reads fetal monitor & ascertains if there is a problem with baby’s heart rate
  
• Identifies & manages life-sustaining physiological functions in unstable patients
  
• Checks patient’s cervix periodically to monitor progression/lack of dilation
  
• Ensures patient’s bed is kept dry & clean; cleans up bodily fluids expelled before & after the birthing process
  
• Contacts anesthesia when/if patient is ready for epidural; contacts delivering physician at appropriate time, ascertains proper time
  
• Cares for patients on Pinto, MgSO4 & continuous lumbar epidural
  
• Ensures patient is in proper position for delivery & all monitoring equipment is functioning properly
  
• Aids doctor with drapes, gloves, gowns, etc.; hands doctor delivery instruments as needed during birthing process
  
• Encourages patient to push at proper time(s)
  
• Records time of birth

Immediate care of newborn (clean, weigh, etc.)