What are the nursing management after a cesarean delivery?

Question

...what are the possible nurse's responsibility after post-op c-section delivery... im desperate,, help!

Answer 1

I don't understand what you are asking exactly. Is this a homework assignment, general interest or are you having a c-section?

The L&D nurse assists the doctors and anesthesiologist in the O.R., usually they scrub and prep the pt for surgery as well but sometimes the OR tech do that. They help count the instruments afterwards and do paperwork. The patient is sewn up by the doctors and the L&D nurse takes pt to recovery area for a few hours and monitors their vitals and general condition, administering meds and fluids as necessary (and paperwork of course)

I take care of moms after c-sections every day at work. Generally the mom is recovered for two hours in the O.R. until she is stable, then brought to postpartum where she is reunited with the baby (baby is bathed and assessed in the nursery). Mom has an IV running with fluids containing pitocin to help uterus contract, a foley catheter in to drain urine from the bladder, a pad applied to catch blood.

It is the nurse's job to: take vitals every half hour for first hour, then every two hours for four hours, then every four hours, give antibiotics if prescribed, change and maintain IV site/dressing/bags/tubings, assess the patient, make sure abdominal incision is dry, approximated, dressing is dry, treat patient with pain meds, antinausea medications, assist with breastfeeding, listen for bowel sounds, empty the catheter, chart accurate intake/output, change patient's bloody pad in bed when she cannot walk yet, ambulate patient within 12 hrs after delivery (minimum), discontinue IV fluids when tolerating oral fluids, discontinue catheter at 18-24, assist patient to breastfeed, assist patient to the bathroom, familiarize patient with hospital policies/procedures, basic infant care and feeding, self care, post-surgical care instructions, what to expect re: recovery (gas pains, incisional pain, four day hospital stay, don't drive for two weeks, no heavy lifting, appt with provider at 2 wks and 6 wk mark)

And this is assuming everything is going well. Things go wrong too: pt has pain control issues, very nauseated, is bleeding or hemorrhaging, infected incision, bowel obstruction, abdominal distension. trouble breastfeeding, mom may be a gestational diabetic and need blood sugars drawn, she may have PIH and be on mag sulfate so that needs to be hung and calibrated and now I need to pad the side rails in case of seizures, draw PIH and mag levels, assess reflexes and protein in urine. I may need to call the doctor if there are problems except it's the middle of the night and he's asleep or she's doing a delivery...so I call again.

I make referrals to lactation if you have issues I can't solve, referrals to social services if there are issues with depression, anxiety or anger issues, referrals to a dietician if you are overweight, underweight, under 16 yrs old or diabetic.

And of course I have to take care of the baby too because mom can't get out of bed for awhile and the new dads aren't too much help and need a lot of assistance. Sometimes babies have trouble breathing, or become jaundiced or septic. And oh, I must do their vitals every four hours and make sure you are feeding them and changing their diapers. Oh - and I have three other moms and three other babies just like you to take care of too, plus reams of paperwork and computer charting. And you ALL need help breastfeeding your babies every three hours except there is four of you and you all breastfeed at different times so basically someone is always calling for help latching the baby! Also people call for water, juice, help changing diapers, extra blankets and so on.

I must have all my charting complete, all the i's dotted and t's crossed by 6am before the doctors start rounding or they hunt me down bellowing "where is my chart? where are my vitals? where is my I&O? I must have all labs reviewed, make sure the CNA charted your vitals, I&O (or that's my fault too) read through the previous nurse's and doctor's notes and each patient's history in case I missed an order or they forgot to tell me something. If I miss something, it's ALWAYS the nurse's fault. Doctor's like to come in a 7am (just when it's time to go home) to do a circumcision, now I must set up and assist with that too. Then I have to give my last minute pain meds and bed checks, then give report to the oncoming nurse but invariably people will call at 7am when I'm in the middle of report complaining they didn't get what they ordered on their tray!

Did that answer your questions?

Answer 2

Nursing Interventions For Cesarean Section

Answer 3

I choose an OB that doesn't push drugs and also doesn't put you on IV as soon as you get there. However in my birth plan I am leaving all options for drugs open because I know I'm a wimp and this is my first pregnancy. If a nurse is pushing you to take drugs, tell your OB that you do not wish to see that nurse anymore if she continues to push the drugs. It's your body and you have complete say over what is put into you, unless of course there are complications where the OB must take over, sorry then it's for your best to obey them. Some nurses are rude but most are sweet and understanding. If you need to yell at one- do it. It's your delivery and you should be able to do it how you plan as long as complications don't arise. Best of luck! I'm due in 9weeks 2days!

Answer 4

I wish all nurses were like the one described in the answers section. I had a c section and the nurses didnt tell me anything. My first child and never breast fed before and no help there as well. But i survived and the next c section i was more prepared. Its up to you but the more you get up and down the faster you work the soreness out. I learned the hard way. Good luck!

Answer 5

your question is a little bit confusing. do you mean how do nurses help you after a c-section...or how does nursing differ between natural birth and a c.s....or how do you take care of yourself while healing?

so, here goes...nurses do just about every thing for you after surgery, you are pretty much handicap for a couple of hours.

breast feeding is pretty normal, just make sure the staff knows that you do not want your baby to get a bottle!

and at home you need loads of rest, but not bed rest. it is important that you are walking and getting your body back into a normal routine...just slowly.

you will have to wear these silly little underpants that don't chafe your incision and change your bandages with help. apply med. to it a few times a day, and don't stretch the sutures with rough movement.

Answer 6

Not any different then after a normal birth. The nurse will put the baby onto the breast and there we go. My daughter in law had two babies by c-section and nursed them from day one to the end of their seventh month..

Answer 7

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Best of Luck :)

Answer 8

Come on!! How about asking a doctor.