- Email: [email protected]
Additional Bed Rest Resource
But what made this conventiongoing experience truly memorable was one of those beautiful twists of fate that come unexpectedly and that leave people bonded in new and marvelous ways. As I listened on Tuesday morning to Dr. Nancy Lowe speak on the pain experience of labor and birth as she proudly recounted the story of her daughter-in-law’s birth experience just the previous day, I thought about my own niece, a Midwesterner like myself, stationed on the USS Constitution right there in Boston, due to give birth on July 7th. I thought about how exciting it was to be listening to Dr. Lowe speak about labor pain while awaiting the birth of this much-desired baby. Because the convention would end before the baby was due, I reflected that even though I was in Boston it would be some time before I would actually get to meet my expected greatnephew. I had just been out to dinner with my niece, Erika, and labor did not seem imminent. I figured I would return home at the end of the week to await news of his birth. However, when I arrived back at my hotel room that afternoon, there was a message that Erika was in labor at a hospital in one of the North Shore suburbs—would I come? A colleague and I hurriedly cancelled our dinner plans and rushed to the train station. We had to transfer from one “T” line to another—no easy feat for us small-town girls—but we did it. My
brother-in-law picked us up at the end of the line and drove us to the hospital. We joined Erika, Steve and a small assemblage of their Navy friends in the LDR. Attending a birth as a spectator— not a nurse—was difficult, almost painful. We had to follow the rules, which meant not touching or adjusting anything (although I did sneak and adjust the toco once). On the other hand, I was there to comfort, encourage, photograph, cry and support my niece for three of the most memorable hours of her life. Baby Payton was born at 10:28 p.m., a gorgeous, lusty baby boy. At that moment, along with pride in my niece, I felt true pride in my chosen profession, as well as a renewed desire to “light the way” for novice perinatal nurses. The spirit of nursing merged with the spirit of family, much the same as it did the day, many years ago, when I accompanied toddler Erika’s young and frightened family to the ER after she had ingested some iron tablets. The nurse who cared for her that long-ago day was so wonderfully kind and wise that, inspired, I changed my career plans right on the spot. And, though I occasionally need to be uplifted and guided by another’s “taillights in the fog,” I certainly am glad that I chose to become a perinatal nurse. Kristin MacDonald, RNC, BSN Clinical Educator Davenport, IA 52803
Kudos, Lifelines!
C
ongratulations on being recognized for general excellence by the Society of National Association Publications (SNAP). You and your editorial board are to be commended for developing a readable and useful— even jazzy—publication. I have watched Lifelines mature over the years, and I know the award was earned by your hard work and creativity. Karen Haller Vice President for Nursing and Patient Care Services Johns Hopkins Hospital and former editor, JOGNN Baltimore, MD
Additional Bed Rest Resource
I
thought that this article on pregnancy bed rest and NASA was quite interesting and informative, but I was quite disappointed to note that MOST (Mothers of Supertwins) www. MOSTonline.org, which has one of the top international databases and support resources for women expecting triplets or more, was not included in the list of resources provided. I hope in the future it will be included. Thanks. Maureen Doolan Boyle Submitted via “Feedback” at http://awhonnlifelines.awhonn.org
Share Your Passions As nurses, you’re passionate about nursing and about the women and newborns for whom you provide care. In each issue, AWHONN Lifelines lets you speak out about issues related to nursing, women’s health and newborn care. Considering sharing with your colleagues in one of these exciting departments: ✦ Commentary: This is a no-holds-barred editorial—speak out on an issue and within 800-1,500 words let your colleagues know why this topic is so vitally important ✦ Reflections on Women’s Health: Nothing is more important than shared experiences. Tell Lifelines readers of your own personal experiences as a nurse or as a woman in the health care marketplace. Speak directly to your colleagues in a “first-person” manner in 800 to 2,000 words. Previous topics in this column have dealt with multiple births, neonatal loss, surviving breast cancer, stroke and change within the health care industry To submit an article for consideration, surf to www.awhonn.org and obtain the AWHONN Lifelines Author Guidelines or call the AWHONN Faxon-Demand service at (800) 395-7373 and request document #460. We look forward to seeing you in print!
386
AWHONN Lifelines
Volume 6
Issue 5
brother-in-law picked us up at the end of the line and drove us to the hospital. We joined Erika, Steve and a small assemblage of their Navy friends in the LDR. Attending a birth as a spectator— not a nurse—was difficult, almost painful. We had to follow the rules, which meant not touching or adjusting anything (although I did sneak and adjust the toco once). On the other hand, I was there to comfort, encourage, photograph, cry and support my niece for three of the most memorable hours of her life. Baby Payton was born at 10:28 p.m., a gorgeous, lusty baby boy. At that moment, along with pride in my niece, I felt true pride in my chosen profession, as well as a renewed desire to “light the way” for novice perinatal nurses. The spirit of nursing merged with the spirit of family, much the same as it did the day, many years ago, when I accompanied toddler Erika’s young and frightened family to the ER after she had ingested some iron tablets. The nurse who cared for her that long-ago day was so wonderfully kind and wise that, inspired, I changed my career plans right on the spot. And, though I occasionally need to be uplifted and guided by another’s “taillights in the fog,” I certainly am glad that I chose to become a perinatal nurse. Kristin MacDonald, RNC, BSN Clinical Educator Davenport, IA 52803
Kudos, Lifelines!
C
ongratulations on being recognized for general excellence by the Society of National Association Publications (SNAP). You and your editorial board are to be commended for developing a readable and useful— even jazzy—publication. I have watched Lifelines mature over the years, and I know the award was earned by your hard work and creativity. Karen Haller Vice President for Nursing and Patient Care Services Johns Hopkins Hospital and former editor, JOGNN Baltimore, MD
Additional Bed Rest Resource
I
thought that this article on pregnancy bed rest and NASA was quite interesting and informative, but I was quite disappointed to note that MOST (Mothers of Supertwins) www. MOSTonline.org, which has one of the top international databases and support resources for women expecting triplets or more, was not included in the list of resources provided. I hope in the future it will be included. Thanks. Maureen Doolan Boyle Submitted via “Feedback” at http://awhonnlifelines.awhonn.org
Share Your Passions As nurses, you’re passionate about nursing and about the women and newborns for whom you provide care. In each issue, AWHONN Lifelines lets you speak out about issues related to nursing, women’s health and newborn care. Considering sharing with your colleagues in one of these exciting departments: ✦ Commentary: This is a no-holds-barred editorial—speak out on an issue and within 800-1,500 words let your colleagues know why this topic is so vitally important ✦ Reflections on Women’s Health: Nothing is more important than shared experiences. Tell Lifelines readers of your own personal experiences as a nurse or as a woman in the health care marketplace. Speak directly to your colleagues in a “first-person” manner in 800 to 2,000 words. Previous topics in this column have dealt with multiple births, neonatal loss, surviving breast cancer, stroke and change within the health care industry To submit an article for consideration, surf to www.awhonn.org and obtain the AWHONN Lifelines Author Guidelines or call the AWHONN Faxon-Demand service at (800) 395-7373 and request document #460. We look forward to seeing you in print!
386
AWHONN Lifelines
Volume 6
Issue 5