Are you well received by hospital staff?

Tiffany · 08-04-2005, 10:54 AM

How do the hospital staff, mainly nurses, make you feel when you introduce yourself as the client's doula?

Tiffany · 08-04-2005, 11:10 AM

I had to ask this question because one of my first few times at a hospital birth were totally terrifying. I went in with confidence but was quickly shot down. The hospital was not busy that day and there were 3 nurses hanging around. I felt the presence of rolling eyes when I introduced myself as a doula and I feel like they made sure I couldn't get near my client most of the time.

This shocked me because I have always looked up to nurses. For a long time, I've wanted to go to nursing school but after being around so many I notice a very catty attitude in some (not all, of course) of them. It makes me wonder how nursing students and new grads are treated.

Anyway, I always go to a hospital birth with the frame of mind that I am to work with the nursing staff, and everyone else as a team. We are there for the client, not for anything else. I don't care to get involved in petty fights of power or something silly. We have different job functions--different roles, which is why this was a total surprise to me that I wouldn't be well received more than a few times.

When there is a nurse that doesn't like doulas, is that because we take the fun away from their job or something? I know there is a ton of paperwork they need to do, and medical assessments, but do they really want to be supporting the patients more? I don't get it. Will someone explain?

raspberrymoondoula · 08-04-2005, 12:08 PM

i've had a few kinda talk down to me like i couldnt possibly know anything about birth, and even had one yell at me when i was encouraging the mom to get upright to push, she tried to tell me lying flat on your back actually opens the pelvis more (wtf nursing school did she go to?) most of the time they're nice and jsut leave us alone tho. most of the ones i've met like doulas for just the reason you stated- they dont have to do a lot of hand holding and it gives them more rime for other stuff

~Tranquility~Doula · 08-07-2005, 08:10 PM

I've never really had a problem. But the first birth I was at was so chaotic when we arrived at the hospital (mom was feeling the urge to push in the car on the way).. The first nurse we came in contact with yelled at her and told her not to breathe the way she was breathing (she was blow, blow, blowing so she wouldn't push) and I calmly said she was breathing like that so she wouldn;t push and the nurse looked at me like I had 3 heads. I don't think they believed us that mom was ready. After mom got into a room, she didn't want to push because everything going on around us was too much for her to handle. She went inside herself and didn't hear a thing anyone was saying to her. Everyone was yelling at her to push..etc... I was pretty much the only person, other than her husband, not yelling. I leaned down and gently told her that it was ok to push now..etc... After the baby was born one of the many nurses that was in the room asked if I was a doula and I said yes. She then told me that I needed to be louder. Whatever. I just thanked her for the advice then turned around and rolled my eyes.

The other hospital births that I've been to have been great. The nurses really seemed to appreciate me being there because they had so many other things to do.

Matrescence · 08-15-2005, 11:07 AM

I've only had a problem once, oddly enough it was my 1st doula experience as well. The hospital here hadn't heard of doulas (well some of the nurses had, but the majority had no clue) and they weren't receptive to change, let alone change they knew nothing about. It took awhile but once they *saw* what we do things got much better.

Bree · 08-23-2005, 02:00 AM

I am a new doula and assisted in my first birth on 8/16/05. This was the Mom's third child and she had fast labors with the other 2 and this one proved no different. I arrived at 6:30pm (right during nurse's shift change) and introduced myself to the nurse as ****'s doula. She just stared at me like I was crazy. I went ahead and continued working with my client and the nurse came in like four times in less than a two hour period. I had **** walking and sitting upright in the butterfly position (these where the most comfy for mom). The midwife came to check **** and was actually upset that she had been walking and that she had to take off her undies. She ended up feeling the urge to push about 9:06pm. Someone had run to get the nurse while I was panting with **** so she wouldn't push until at least the nurse got there. When the nurse got there she yelled at me "What your doing is not working, go sit". ****'s contractions were so strong (she had been induced and the pit was still running) that the baby's head was out before the midwife had her gloves on. I don't think she even pushed at all. The baby was born at 9:11pm. After the birth, I was told to leave by the midwife because "*** was uncomfortable having me there and I was in the way". She actually told me that. I was so upset that I did as I was told and waited outside the door until they finished up in the room. I was so dissapointed. I called my mentor and told her what happened & she was fuming!!!!!!!!!! My mentor told me since **** gave birth at a Family Birthing Center (conected to a hospital), it is the Mom's choice who leaves & stays during a complication-free birth.
Anyways, I went in after I was told I could go back in & **** asked me "Where did you go?" She wanted me there, but with all the commotion wasn't listening to what was going on. I didn't want to cause a scene so I did what I was told. **** told me that she wa so glad I was there & that I really helped her during her very fast, very intense labor. I loved being there for her, but I am discouraged by the way I was treated by the midwife & the RN.
I have 2 more clients due this month & I hope that I am treated better than I was at my first birth.
Thanks for giving me a place to vent!

Tiffany · 08-23-2005, 08:06 AM

Oh Bri, how terribly upsetting--especially since it happened at your first birth!

You seem strong and sound like you have a supportive mentor.

Unless there were complications with mom or babe and you really were in the way, that is the only way I could justify what happened. Otherwise, I want to say I am shocked, but I'm not really. Isn't it amazing how she spoke for your client and your client ended up having no idea that was said? It is the people that are tained by the word "doula" and if they've had one not-so-great doula they seem to treat them all the same not giving anyone else a chance.

If I were you I would definately document this (seperate documents for the nurse's and the midwife's actions), maybe if you run into them again down the road and they give you more trouble, just keep adding to the file. Then you could send it off to the nurse manager, and one off to the college of midwives!! (or whichever assoc. it is in the states)

Hearing about this stuff really upsets me, but I am glad you don't sound like you want to give up because of this one instance.

Matrescence · 08-23-2005, 05:41 PM

I'm so sorry you had to go through that for your 1st experience Bree. Best wishes with the next 2 clients

AussieDoula · 06-12-2006, 02:20 AM

I am the only Doula in this town, and only just starting up here. There are two hospitals close by and they couldn't be more different!
In one, ALL of the ob/gyns are men. In such a tiny town, they have developed quite a superiority complex and absolutely do not like to be challenged. I have heard of them strapping labouring women to their stirrups so that they can't leave the bed. IV's are put in upon admission (absolutely no hep/saline locks), and routine episiotomies. The c-section rate is higher than average for this hospital, and they actually offer "Planned C-Section Classes".
On the upside, the nurses and other hospital staff are extremely receptive and interested in Doula work, the head nurse worked for years with a midwife and has actually taken a Doula workshop herself.

In the other hospital, the ob/gyns are supportive of me attending mamas in birth and are happy to meet me during prenatals (if a little "amused", atleast they are accomodating). It's the nursing staff that are resistant. They do the eye-rolling and belittling comments. Some are happy to have the extra body so they can see to other things, but most are skeptical of my place there and any beneficial support I could provide to the mama.

I imagine that once they get used to seeing me around, and realise that I am here for the long haul, they will lighten up (well, that's the hope, LOL!). I make sure I send thank-you's and goodies to everyone I work with just to maintain a friendly relationship with everyone!

susan1 · 06-12-2006, 08:50 AM

I have this one nurse get made at me for not being aggressive with the client. The client and I had talk about this and the client did not want that. I tired to expalin to the nurse and the client did to but the nurse didn't listen.

fearlessbirth · 06-12-2006, 10:26 AM

The nurses I've worked with (so far only 2 hospital births) have been nothing but kind and excellent towards me.

nocomparta · 06-12-2006, 11:36 AM

I know it's odd to hear, but I've never really had a confrontation with a nurse. I've had to explain what I do, but have never had a problem. I have had a few nurses that I probably wouldn't get along with, and a few that did things that I didn't agree with, but I have never had a direct confrontation with a nurse.

AbornDoula · 06-12-2006, 12:09 PM

In my last two deliveries, I have had excellent relationships with the nursing staff. I had a small bump with my last clients OB. However noone has ever made me feel like I wasn't welcome. At my first cert. birth, I was at a military hospital, and so some of the things that my client wanted (no IV or heplock), no pit, and a hands and knees delivery didn't exactly happen. I was told by the nurses that "standard military procedure" says that certain things MUST be done to each patient admitted to the hospital.
I was discouraged, but they worked with me in so many other areas that I didn't complain too loudly.

loveslabor · 06-12-2006, 01:01 PM

In my brief history as a doula, I have had no problem.

The last nurse I encountered wasw wonderful. When I arrived the husband introduced her to me and she said... "Do whatever you would like. All I ask is that you make sure that the machine keeps picking up the heartrate. I'll be in the hall if you need me."

Many other nurses have thanked me for being so helpful and making their job a lot easier.

MindOverLaborDoulas · 06-12-2006, 02:02 PM

At the hosp where we had the heartbreaking birth, the nurse assigned to my client was very oldschool. She dressed my client when the anth. was coming in to do her epidural b/c she said that "a lady will never undress in front of a gentleman unless they are married". Of course this was also a Catholic hosp. But, the other nurses there were really cool with me.
Our other 2 local hosp are wonderful! In fact a birth that we did in March the RN gave us her home number and she wants me to call her if we ever find anyone willing to do a homebirth! She even said that she would be willing to come to my house the next time I give birth! Mind you this was the first time that we had ever met! We have 2 more coming up there so I am hoping that the other nurses will be as great! AT our hosp, they are now calling us to ask us questions about positions!!

I feel validated!