Doctor/Nursing students delivering or watching labor?

aleecats

I was just reading an article about a woman whose baby was delivered by a student, and another women who had 15 students in her room with her the entire time. The point of the article was more or less the proper etiquette for students when in the room for another woman's labor. The student doctor she said was amazing and kind and was a huge support for her, but the lady with the 15 students said it ruined everything for her, that she was never asked if they could be there they just walked in and when she asked the nurse if they could leave the nurse told her no and that they would only be watching.

So my question is how would you feel if a student asked to be in the room to watch/help deliver your baby?

Personally I'd have to say no, I'm scared and stressed enough without a bunch of strangers watching me. I know they have to learn some how but I would prefer if ir wasn't on me.

str13

I'd let the student doctor, but not the nursing students.
I'm a nurse, and a woman let me watch her birth while I was in school, I helped support her leg, kept my mouth shut, and tried to stay out of the way. I appreciate that she did that for me. I can still remember her and her husband and their beautiful baby, and always will. But I'll freak the hell out if students try to come in!! They can stick me a hundred times trying to get my IV, blah blah blah. But for the most part, and when I'm pushing, OUT!!

thefuturemrsdaniel

I had a student nurse with my first. Didn't bother me at all. Actually it was really sweet. Since my son had to go to the NICU really soon after birth I didn't get to see him much. After the epidural wore off I could go down and see him and the student asked to go with us. She had been there through the whole thing and wanted to check on him just like we did. It was really sweet. I don't remember her face but I will always remember her volunteering to go with us

ewhitledge

I saw three in nursing school and the experience was wonderful. I will absolutely let students in my room, and further I'll let male students in because the poor guys got shafted hardcore. Having gone through it as a student myself I know that the motives are good and it's very educational. I think it's a personal decision all the way- I was told no twice and didn't get offended whatsoever.

BeachBabe22

I gave birth at a teaching hospital and you have the choice of having them in the room. I didn't mind and don't even remember how many residents were in there. They have to learn at some point and if everyone says no then how are they going to get any experience?

hatchback4g

My hospital is a teaching hospital and I haven't decided yet whether or not to I'm okay with them being in there yet but we do get the choice. We can even limit how many we allow in there if we do allow any students.

bpv101283

I would ask for a discount! lol. My hospital is not a teaching hospital but if it were I would like to be asked first, that's the least they could do. I can't imagine 15 people in the room. I had 2 nurses and a doctor that came in the end to catch the baby.

thinkpink101

I didn't have a choice. I delivered at Yale which is a teaching hospital. I was delivering twins vaginally and I had my OB, a team of doctors for each baby (they arrived prematurely), a visiting specialist from Hungary, a group of students, the nurses and my dh there! I had to deliver in the OR in case things started going wrong, so everyone was masked and gowned and they all looked the same. It was the most surreal experience of my life. There were 17 people in addition to dh and I there. Thankfully my delivery was only 27 minutes total!!

LoveLee85

If a nurse let 15 students walk into my room after I asked them to leave, I would FLIP out. That's awful. If the mom is okay with it, that's fine, but if she wants them out they need to go!

hatchback4g

LoveLee85 said:

If a nurse let 15 students walk into my room after I asked them to leave, I would FLIP out. That's awful. If the mom is okay with it, that's fine, but if she wants them out they need to go!

This exactly! 

nflan16

My nurse asked if a student could come in the room during my delivery. I figured she would be standing in the corner so I said sure why not. She ended up being up close and personal and actually held my leg while I pushed. I didn't care because I just wanted to have the baby out but after I thought I hope I didn't traumatize that poor girl when she saw all that tearing going on lol

etayislove

I had a student midwife do the majority of my care during my first birth, she opted to stay and work until I delivered my son after a really long hard labor. She was the only one who was there for the entire thing medically, she ended up crying when I finally delivered. She also ended up calling me for my follow up 24hrs after we were released and was so amazingly supportive! I'll never forget her!

KYmama9286

I delivered at a teaching hospital and with #3 they asked if I was okay with nursing students in the room and I said absolutely yes- I know students don't get to see actual delivieries very often during clinicals because of the schedule and how long labor can take and I knew mine would be fast and they would get to see an actual baby born.

The students were great- stood quietly to the side and afterward were gushing and in awe and so appreciative. Some of them had only seen like 1 other delivery and none of them had gotten to see a mom deliver with no meds. They were thankful to see how labor naturally progressed on its own, see how the body responds, see my reactions and just take it all in.

I will say their preceptor came in at a particularly hard time (one contraction I tried standing for and it didn't go well) and she was super obnoxious, over stepped her bounds in trying to coach me through a contraction when I clearly was doing well on my own and it wasn't my first time doing it so I know what works for me. My midwife and actual nurse very quickly asked her to leave when they saw my "wtf face" when she said I should picture my contraction as a wave in the ocean haha she was only in the room 5 mins max and I delivered maybe 15-20 mins later.

chelseajeanene

15 people..doctors/nurses/students and or family is just way too many people period! I would panic. I get very anxious in crowds, that poor woman. Personally I'm okay if a student asked me to be in there, I've had student nurses in other instances but I've had good and bad experiences with it. I'm all for them getting their hands on experience but for my first child I definitely would not be okay with a student delivering my baby, that's kinda crazy to me. I'd be okay with them helping the nurses, but hands on with delivering I wouldn't be comfortable at all, too risky for me. Now once I'm onto my second or third child my view may change, but I'm already scared enough and that would make me more worried

KYmama9286

I will add that I'm not shy when it comes to people being in the room when I deliver. With #2 my sister was my doula, my sil was my actual L&D nurse and in addition to dh my mil, 2 sil and best friend were there so 8 people including my midwife and not including me.

For #3 it was dh, my mil, 3 sil, bff, 4 nursing students, my actual nurse and my midwife haha I didn't care at all. My labors are short and pretty easy and I'm in the zone laboring without meds so honestly a whole circus could be in the room and I wouldn't notice.

For medical reasons I have to get an epi with #4 and it does actually make me more nervous since I don't know what to expect and I do think I'll be more aware of who's in the room watching since I won't be as focused on laboring.

WDDCH

Ugh I had students in my room with my first. I felt like a showcase at the zoo. I wouldn't mind ONE student but a bunch of them just blankly staring at your vag is really uncomfortable.

Now I have a midwife. She has student midwives but they do all the work (my midwife is in her 60's and can't do a lot so she trains and oversees the students) and they are awesome. You'd never know they were students.

So my last birth I had two students and my midwife at my home. My midwife was there only for guidance and to observe the students to make sure they did everything that they should. It wasn't just people staring at me; they were actively checking vitals and reassuring me (I had a hard labor with my last) and learning through hands-on experience.

LaurenNewph

I wouldn't mind one nursing/ med student, but any more than that I think it'd be like a spectacle!

slp213psu

I am a nurse so therefore was a nursing student haha! I was in two labors, one didn't deliver before I was due to leave but did exorcism projectile vomit across the room haha! The other delivered and I was holding legs. I also saw how the docs and nurses handled it when she pooped while pushing (business as usual, no faces, made me less sensitive about when I did it haha!!!).
Anyway with DD one student nurse put in my Foley catheter which I wasn't super pleased with but didn't want to say no. I could tell by the supervising nurse's face that she wasn't quite appropriate but oh well, all's well that ends well.
I was the one who didn't deliver on their shift so oh well.
Funny though, post partum a male nursing student came in while I was breastfeeding and I didn't cover or anything (get used to it buddy!) and it was hilarious how fidgety and uncomfortable he got.

adtaylor2015

I had 3 nursing students, 1 resident, 2 actual nurses, OB, husband, my mom, SIL, step MIL, best friend, and MIL all in the room plus my FIL, nephew, and my dad behind the curtain while I was pushing.

Growingapepper

If it were me I'd probably allow the one student. But I'd definitely politely ask for everyone else that's no essential to GTFO. And if they said no... oh then I wouldn't be so nice about it. In my birth plan I am going to include a secrion about who I will allow in the room. Students will be on the no thank you list.

KERJF

With my 2nd kiddo - we had a water birth in the hospital. Number 25 actually for our hospital I had DH obviously, my doula was with me and then my mom and our oldest kiddo was in the room.
I think we probably had about 15 people watching when it came time to push - I think they walked in about 5 minutes before we really started pushing for birthing purposes - Im betting almost every nurse on the l&d floor, along with a few students? They all stayed against the wall near the door and I only knew they were there because I looked over once to see. No one said a word that I noticed, or that my DH noticed. They did ask me first and I didnt care. I was told after it was a HUGE learning experience even just to watch - that we had one of the better water births (just how calm I was, how I was able to deliver baby with just a little help from ob in the water, ect). Even my OB stayed back near the wall until DD was just starting to crown. It was awesome and I totally welcome them to watch again this time if needed/wanted. Once she was born everyone was out before I could even look over again.

Kellyann813

As a nurse I sat in on many live births during school but every time we stood silently and observed only and I remember our instructors telling tHe women beforehand and none of them seemed to mind. I will allow it for sure myself if there are student nurses in my delivery. One of the highlights of nursing school was seeing a live twin c section. It was amazing! such an awesome learning experience! :-)

PregNancyClark

Large crowds are a NOOO!! Oh my goodness what a nightmare.

mirizzi&A

I'm grateful that there were women who allowed me to deliver (catch) their babies as a medical student. As an expecting mum, I'll be delivering at the same hospital I work at. I know most of the obstetrics residents, have worked with a number of them personally, and would be happy to have any one of them deliver my baby (I also asked the ones I'm friends with if there was anyone I should avoid, they said everyone was above board). I'm also happy enough to have a student nurse participate in the whole labour process: they're learning, and they don't know me from Adam. I wouldn't be willing to have a medical student in the room during my delivery/labour. The simple fact of the matter is, they all have or will rotate through a rotation in my specialty, and I'll eventually be in a position where I'm supervising their work…. and I'll be thinking, "Gee, you've seen me without pants, possibly pooping my pants". If I were delivering further away from home, I'd have no problem letting a medical student deliver (catch) my baby (supervised by a resident of course). 

It's always your choice whether there are students at your delivery or not, and if it makes you uncomfortable, you should speak up, and they should leave pronto. 

krose92

I actually just had this discussion with my DH!  He's a nursing student right now, and his class will be doing clinicals in OB/delivery this fall (so... when I'm supposed to give birth).   I personally don't mind letting students in, but realized his classmates might be the ones to watch and assist, so I asked him first.  He's cool with it  Only problem might be if the particular group of students includes my good friend... I love her dearly, but am not sure that I want to know her THAT well!

jen83mn

As a FTM, I wouldn't be comfortable having anyone other than DH, the doc, and nurses in the room with me - the less people the better!

AshleyMB86

I dont think I would like a whole room of people, I feel like that would distract me from the task at hand. That being said, I would be perfectly okay with 1 or to students. They need to learn somehow!

troopersmom

As a FTM I say no way. I'm sure this will change with number 2 child but right now nope not happening.

bethhart66

I don't mind if I deliver vaginally but if I have a csection I would say no. I believe in learning trough experience but the idea of a csection is really scary for me especially because I have never had one before. I might be OK with students watching but not inexperienced hands in my belly! In delivery as long as my OBs who I trust are there and actively monitoring I would be OK with students being more involved.

I had a parent in medical school while I was in middle school and I was her learning tool many times.

seamonkey4

As a nurse, I was so appreciative for the women that let me watch their births. One woman was doing it all alone and I was allowed to hold her leg, and after the baby was born, she said I could cut the cord. Watching so many different women give birth I saw how it's such a personal experience for everyone and no two women experience the same thing. I watched epidurals get placed as well. As a 20 year old kid, this was all new to me. I understand people not wanting students in the room. But I will never forget the rooms I was in. 15 students is excessive. We only went in one student at a time.

puddinpop95

Maybe with baby no. 2 hahaha I don't need anymore people poking their heads down there than there need to be haha

shaunnar053

As a FTM I might be persuaded to allow ONE female student in the room.. As long as she wasn't doing anything other than observing and helping out. I'm just a private person and, other than my fiancé, I'd rather as few people as possible be in the room for my first child.

Peony1982

jen83mn said:

As a FTM, I wouldn't be comfortable having anyone other than DH, the doc, and nurses in the room with me - the less people the better!

I'm genuinely curious - how is having a med student any different than having a nurse?

ElleMF728

We have had students with nearly all of our US (both kids) and my delivery with my first.  I loved the student who helped with my delivery, he was fantastic and did a great job with all of my aftercare.  My OB actually delivered DS but then he took over as soon as the baby was out.  I have never had an issue with any of them and would have no problem allowing it a second time.  

It would be weird to have several people watching I suppose but I'd be willing to try until it made me uncomfortable.  

aleecats

Peony1982 said:

jen83mn said:

As a FTM, I wouldn't be comfortable having anyone other than DH, the doc, and nurses in the room with me - the less people the better!

I'm genuinely curious - how is having a med student any different than having a nurse?

Haha funny thing is I started this thread and my original vote was no students at all! But after talking to my fiancé and my mom (she had a student help her deliver me actually!) and my doctor (who informed me our hospital does have students but he'd ask first) that you really can't tell the difference between a nurse and a med student! So after I thought it over and talked it out i said I'd be okay with one med student maybe two as long as they were doing something! I still don't want to be watched so I wouldn't let a class or student come and observe.... That's stil to weird for me

jen83mn

aleecats said:

Peony1982 said:

jen83mn said:

As a FTM, I wouldn't be comfortable having anyone other than DH, the doc, and nurses in the room with me - the less people the better!

I'm genuinely curious - how is having a med student any different than having a nurse?

Haha funny thing is I started this thread and my original vote was no students at all! But after talking to my fiancé and my mom (she had a student help her deliver me actually!) and my doctor (who informed me our hospital does have students but he'd ask first) that you really can't tell the difference between a nurse and a med student! So after I thought it over and talked it out i said I'd be okay with one med student maybe two as long as they were doing something! I still don't want to be watched so I wouldn't let a class or student come and observe.... That's stil to weird for me

Right, there's a big difference between having one med student watching or 15 staring at you as you're doing this for the first time! I would be ok with one female student along with the nurses and doc as long as the med student was just observing and there to help out as needed, but any more than that would just make me nervous!

Knottie96229960

It's funny bc with 2 of my children they asked when it was time to push and I didn't care about anything, so my answer was yeah I don't care just let's get this baby out. Both times after I came to realization there were like a whole class in there in tears and they all saw everything. Smh. This time is definitely a no, I want a more intimate experience...it was ok though, they thanked me and cried while doing it, boys and girls, crazy experience..

happynewmommy

I am in college myself and am giving birth in the town where I attend school, so I'm gonna have to pass on the students watching, lol. I know several of the nursing students in the program. I chose the three people I want with me, and other than doctors, nurses, and those three, I want everyone else out! Not to mention my anxiety. Don't wanna kill anyone that day.

Sweet Sadie Mae

This actually happened to me. Only one student thank god and she just stood back to watch the Ob. Do his thing. Pretty sure I would freak out if they had more than one student in there.

krose92

If only one nursing student were to observe/help, I might ask for a guy.  In part, because I understand how difficult it is for men to get that experience (DH might not see any live births other than for his own children!), and partly because I'd love to watch that poor student squirm xD lol

J0C0TX

I wasn't asked/didn't have any students during either delivery. I did, however, have a student lactation consultant with her superior which was fine. She watched and listened as I got my boob out