Male nurses in Labor and Delivery?

Question

I'm currently on the alternate list for an ADN (associate degree of nursing) program that begins in January. (FAST FORWARD A BIT) After I graduate and pass boards and get the RN, I would like to possibly work in Labor and Delivery. HOWEVER, I don't know how common it is to have a male L/D RN. Any ideas out there as to how common men are in L/D, or has any body had any experiences with a male RN during their childbirths (either positive or negative)?

Thanks everyone!

Also, I realize that some women may feel uncomfortable or prefer not to have a male RN but isnt' that the H+ or birthing centers call ?

Not meaning to offend anyone, but would you refuse fly on a flight w/ all male flight attendants, or refuse to buy meat from a female butcher?

I see the point people have made but what if there were no other free nurses?

Answer 1

I had a male OBGYN for my entire pregnancy.
I had a male On Call doctor at the hospital (whom I'd never met) deliver my son at the hospital
I had a male nurse after giving birth to my son and while he was very attentive and nice and professional...


*********WARNING WARNING TMI*************

I had a little bit of an issue with a strange man, changing giant bloody maxi pads for me and irrigating my genitalia while I was laying there post op from a cesarean...

Then again...You're so naked in front of so many strangers while giving birth...it kinda doesn't matter after a while...lol

***Incidentally...only the male nurse and one of the female nurses I had were nice to me at all...the other three or four that I had during my stay at the hospital were complete bi*ches....lol

Answer 2

I have a male doctor so I would be fine with a male nurse while I am giving birth. I think that I wouldn't really care when the time comes because I will be in so much pain that it won't really matter. I am a little nervous having a male looking at my butt during the delivery but I will get over it when the time comes.

I think that male nurses could be helpful during the delivery telling when to push and everything. To make the girls feel better about you, you should talk to them about how you will be a ton of help during their birth and how you will make it better for them. Then they might think differently about you and you will get alot more patients.

I think that it is great that you want to become a nurse for labor and delivery but you can't be annoyed by their screaming during the birth because it will happen. ( I am sure you won't, though!) Keep following your dreams and they will come true! =)

Answer 3

I don't know that I would be comfortable with a male nurse. There are plenty of women out there who for some reason or another don't have that male support and would appreciate it.
EDIT:
I totally don't mean to offend. I would never be rude about having a male nurse either. For me I would just prefer a female. It is one of the most intimate experiences a woman goes through. (Some women have BM's during delivery)The only men I want there are my husband and the Dr. I am sorry. If I were naked on a plane I might feel the same way. This is just personal and does not reflect on my perception of your abilities to do your job properly. It's a reflection of my comfort level in that situation. Although given enough drugs and I may not even notice you are there. Please don't take offense.

Answer 4

When I had my son, there was a Female Lead nurse, another Female nurse and a Male nurse. 3 total in the delivery room. From what I could remember (this was 6 years ago) it was a pleasant experience. I'm thinking he Male nurse spent more time accompanying my Husband during the delivery since I hardly noticed him until at the end of Labor.

Answer 5

I had all female L&D RNs when I had my daughter. My doctor and ultrasound tech are women. I would prefer female L&D RNs because they have to check you and so forth and a man might get on my nerves, especially when the nurses tell you to push. A guy did my epidural but that was okay. That's great you want to pursue that field and I think you should but I don't know if some women might ask for another nurse if they see you. Sorry, just being honest!

Answer 6

There is usally alot of male doctors that work in labor and delivery but not much nurses that are males. When I had my first child I had a male doctor and one of the nurses I had was a male in the delivery room. He was very helpful telling me when to push and everything but it was kind of weird having males in the room looking at my butt but after a while I just wanted to get it over with that I didn't really care, lol. Keep following your dreams!

Answer 7

It probably depends most on the patients. Many women are uncomfortable with having men present, but some don't mind. Some women will be really mean to you because during all of those PAINS they are having, they don't want to lay eyes on a man during a delivery! It depends on the patient. Good luck!

Answer 8

there is a many of male nurses out there for labor and delivery Hun and it really a good thing for a man to have that experience as he knows what his wife will be going through

Answer 9

I have a male OB/GYN, so I wouldn't have any problem with a male RN!

Good luck!

Answer 10

im sure it happens, it's just not all that common. some women may not feel comfortable with you there- but other women just won't care