Once again I find more similarities between nursing and stage management. Yesterday we watched a film entitled "Preparing the Delivery Room for Birth." The film demonstrated a nurse setting up all the equipment and many instruments that will/may be needed by the MD or Midwife during delivery. During this time she also pre-fills syringes of meds that might be needed during delivery and also prepares meds for the baby immediately post partum (like Vit K & antibiotic eye ointment). She turns on the radiant warmer to preheat the blankets & cap for the baby, configures the bed into a position most conducive to delivery & checks the functioning of the oxygen and suctioning apparatus.
It reminds me of presetting for the top of a show. Same critical thinking skills, difference environment. Is everything we need functioning properly and in the right place? Have I anticipated all problems and provided for alternatives? Is everyone and everything as prepared as possible?
Except here, the stage is a delivery room, the cast & crew includes the mom, birthing partner, MD/Midwife, Doula, & nurses and the final goal is not a standing ovation, but a healthy mom & baby. Other differences: the delivery room is prepared using sterile technique; the only time I remember ever having to wear gloves in the theater was handling dry ice. There is not a lot of dry ice during childbirth. Also in the delivery room, the blood is not made up of Corn Syrup and food coloring. The word 'production' takes on a whole new meaning. There is no method acting. Those emotions -- the pain, exhaustion, anguish, delight, joy, exhilaration, love -- are real. Another big difference: In the theater, if the SM forgets something, the situation most likely can be solved by some clever ad libbing on the actors' parts and the consequences might include a break in the action or a missed laugh. In the delivery room, a mistake must be solved by medical heroics on the MD's/Midwife’s part and the consequences can be far more lasting and severe.
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2 comments:
While we're on this subject, can I just add my two cents and tell you that I would find the childbirth process MUCH more delightful if it involved Margaritas? For both the mother and her coach? The doctor can have one, too. It's just the it's so TENSE in there, and I'm thinking that maybe, while you're preparing the room, you could set up a blender and some ice (regular ice) and then when anybody needs a drink (20 minutes into the process) the drinks will be there, ready to go!
Um... just a thought. Because other than that, the nurses I've had during childbirth have been wonderful. They are the one's that carry you through it. The doctor just comes in at the end and says "OK, you can push now." But the nurses are the ones that remind you to breathe, tell you everything is fine, distract you with conversation, braid your hair, and reminds you that you can have drugs if you want (but no margaritas.)
Absolutely! Which is why I think I want to be a Labor and Delivery Nurse. We are the ones that are there for the women throughout the whole process. We are the nurturers, the advocates, and guardians. I think that is such an amazing and rewarding job to have!! We actually spent a good deal of time in lab this week learning about both pharm and non-pharm methods of pain control, learning specifically about pressure massage on the back and reflexology for the hands and feet. So yes, once the room is set up, our job is just beginning.
Maybe in my upcoming nursing theory class I can do a study about the beneficial effects of Margheritas during delivery:)
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