What would you take? -ptl hospitalization of client

[amymaew]

I'm going to visit my client this evening who is in the hospital b/c of preterm labor. She's on mag. suf., fully effaced, dilated to a 3, and her ffn test came back + a couple of days ago when she was admitted. Fortunately she's the same effacement/dilation as she was when she was admitted, so it looks like they've got it stopped for now. She asked for some books to read - both pregnancy/baby related and 'fun' ones. Should I take her a book about preemies? I think if it was me I'd want to read everything about what could possibly happen, but I'm a book freak lol. She isn't *too* educated about pregnancy/childbirth/babies - she started her childbirth classes the night before she went to the hospital (fortunately they covered the signs of preterm labor!). She thought that if she had a baby that night it would be going home with her (at 30 weeks) so I talked to her about the NICU and why she was getting the steroids etc. So wwyd?

[NewMoonDoula]

I would only include books about premies if she asked specifically for them.
She needs to be thinking positive, optimistic thoughts right now.
Have you tried any visualizations? I did alot of that when I was at risk of ptl.

[UtahDoula]

Maybe take a bunch and ask her to pick the ones she in interested in from the bunch. You could throw in one about preemies, but also include plenty about normal birth, infant care, etc. Then just say "I wasn't sure what you'd be interested in, so I brought a bunch for you to choose from."

[empowering birth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UtahDoula Maybe take a bunch and ask her to pick the ones she in interested in from the bunch. You could throw in one about preemies, but also include plenty about normal birth, infant care, etc. Then just say "I wasn't sure what you'd be interested in, so I brought a bunch for you to choose from."

Especially if she hasn't read alot in general. Now would be a good time.

[Acacia]

If she was thinking she was going to walk out witht he baby at 30 weeks she is in need of some serious crash course childbirth ed. Maybe you could just bring in a group of books and let her choose...Magazines are nice as well. Just allow her to open up to you and educate her as you talk...find out her fears etc. I hope that baby cooks a bit longer!

[1stimestar]

I would certainly get her a book about preemies. She NEEDS to know of her options and what she may be facing so that she can make informed choices.

[Tiffany]

The NICU at the hospital I was at offered a scrapbook for patients to look at who may have premature babies. While I was in L&D for threatened preterm birth at 28 weeks, one of the NICU nurses brought it in. It was done very nicely and gave me an idea of what I could expect to see. It also had a neonate b/p cuff to show how small, pics of babies in incubators, feeding tubes, etc.

For my antenatal bed rest services I'm going to offer pretty much the same thing, and a one or two hour prep class on what they can expect if their baby goes to the NICU (some moms are on bedrest knowing their babies will have to be born prematurely).

Anyways, I definately think throwing some books on premies in the mix is a very good idea and you may want to see if she can go on a tour of the NICU (they also did this at my hosp. for threatened preterm birth patients). It was very informative.

Oh, I'd also bring her an assortment of crossword/word search/puzzles books and some trashy magazines. I was NEVER a fan of those and when a friend of mine brought me a bunch I found it very entertaining. LOL