u/Lin-Dove

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This might be offensive, but I am a NICU nurse, and I am becoming weary of the women who refuse medical interventions during birth because they don't believe they are necessary, or simply don't want them because it doesn't fit in with their birth plan. And then their babies are born not breathing, choking on meconium, suffering from HIE, the list goes on. And then they come to the NICU and I take care of these babies as they spend the first few days, weeks, or months suffering, all because their mom thought they knew better than the medical team, and/or cared more about their birth experience than what was going on with their child.

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I think birth plans are great. I think women deserve excellent care during labor, birth, and postpartum. It think it's fine to have preferences. I'm all for doulas, midwives, hypnobirthing, water birth, drug-free labors, whatever floats your boat. But when your medical team is telling you that your baby's life is on the line, and you refuse interventions just because it wasn't part of your birth plan, that's selfish. I'm sorry. But it is. I'm tired of social media making women think that doctors and nurses are the enemy. Most of us sincerely just want you to have a baby that's born healthy. But we can't do that if you won't listen to reason. Medical interventions exist for a reason. Have a birth plan-- but don't prioritize it over your baby's life. Please.

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We have a frequent flyer patient, always acts up when they come in. This time it ended in me being assaulted and missing two days of work. In the past, the patient has brought a weapon into the hospital, no one has done anything about it. The night I was attacked the patient threatened to come back and " shoot everyone " and " blow the mother**cker up". I immediately called 911. I filed a protective order. I pressed charges. I've met with detectives. I am over this bs. We should be safe at work.

Update: patient has been arrested for another charge. Was served with the PO at the time of his arrest. He has a LAUNDRY LIST of charges, both violent and non violent, so I'm hoping he will be in prison for all of the charges the DA is seeking for him in my situation, I have lived in absolute terror since pressing charges. For me, for my children. I just want to be able to rest without fear.

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Induced at 36 weeks with BP of 185/117.

My OB just seemed mad. Kept snapping at me, my husband and the nurses. so much so that my nurse (who was amazing) apologized to me. Right as I was crowning I felt the worst headache I’d ever had in my life and the last thing I remember was saying “ow it hurts” and the doctor saying “you have an epidural you’re fine”

I don’t remember anything after that but after I deliver my boy and he was put on my chest I had a seizure.

When I woke up in the ICU my nurse visited me, but told me she couldn’t stay long because was breaking Covid rules by even being there. She told me that when I started seizing my placenta wasn’t so much delivered as it was shot out like a missile right at the doctor.

She laughed, I laughed. She didn’t say it but we both agreed he’s an ass.

I don’t remember her name but that small act of camaraderie meant the world to me.

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Okay, please tell me I’m not the only one whose brain is completely broken by this job.

I just finished a stretch of three 12s in the ED (Emergency Department). We were short-staffed, full moon energy, the works. I had a "sundowner" patient who needed constant redirection for 12 hours straight. You know the drill, gentle tone, simple sentences, lots of "Let’s just sit back down, honey."

So, I get home, totally fried. My husband starts complaining about how he can't find his car keys for the third time this week, and he's getting worked up/frustrated.

Without even thinking, my eyes glazed over, I put my hand on his arm, tilted my head, and said in that sickly sweet high-pitched nurse voice:

"It’s okay, buddy. We’re just having a big feeling right now. Let’s take a deep breath and look together, okay? No need to be scared."

The silence in the kitchen was deafening. He looked at me like I had two heads. I realized what I said and just started hysterical laughing-crying. He walked away slowly like I was the psych patient.

I feel like I’m becoming feral. I eat lunch in 4 minutes standing over a trash can, I can't listen to normal people complain about a cold without judging them, and now I’m therapeutic-communication-ing my spouse.

Is there a support group for this? Or just more wine? 🍷🚑

TL;DR: My nursing persona has hijacked my actual personality and I treated my husband like a confused geriatric patient. Send help.