By What is the nurse’s role?
As with every patient, a nurse’s role with an expecting mother is to evaluate not only her physical health, but also her emotional health. Prenatal women need to be evaluated for more than just their physical well-being.
“It’s more than blood pressure, weight checks and fetal monitoring with a Doppler,” says prenatal instructor Deena H. Blumenfeld. “Women want and need someone who will listen to their concerns. They need someone who will address their emotional needs, reassure them regarding their fears and pay attention when she says something is important to her.”
Your simplest gestures as a nurse can make a world of difference. Resist the urge to have tunnel vision—only focusing on fetal monitoring and vaginal exams—even if you’re new to the specialty. Take a deep breath and, as always, remember the patient.
Blumenfeld says the nurse’s role is just as much about hand-holding and listening. Women will look to nurses for guidance on a range of question and emotions:
How can I change position?
What massage will work?
Why can’t I eat?
I’m afraid.
Three simple things a nurse can do:
- Be sure to watch the mother’s face to understand how she’s managing her contractions.
- Educate her on all of her options.
- Look her in the eye.
Next: What do mothers want? →
