All the pregnant ladies...just put your legs up!

In response to comments about the last blog, I'd like to take a second to talk to the pregnant ladies out there who might be wondering what its like to have a baby, and to answer Lauren's question, what it takes to be a great labor patient both for your sake, and for all you nurses out there too.

If you are having your baby at a hospital, you will find that your labor nurse is one of your best assets to having the delivery you hope to have. Labor nurses are with you through the thick and thin of labor from 3 centimeters to completely effaced to epidurals to pushing. We're there with two gloved fingers and a watchful eye. We take care of you and your baby, and most of us love our jobs and want to make the experience great for you and your growing family.

Still, there are some things that you, the patient, can do to make the relationship between you and your nurse blossom. Here's a list, off the top of my head, of things I love about labor patients, and things that can be difficult to manage.

1. Don't be afraid to ask for things, but try to do it nicely, even if you are in pain. We don't mind answering call bells or getting you some ice, but saying thanks in between contractions is just icing on the cake.

2. We love when husbands/partners/family members help out. Our jobs are hard and busy, so it helps makes things go more smoothly and quickly if family members take initiative and get a cool wash cloth for mommy's forehead. Trust me, we don't mind at all.

3. Try not to throw up on the nurse or your partner. At least aim for the floor, please. Lots of women puke in labor, and if you feel even a little nauseous, please please please ask for a bucket.

4. Don't worry about pooping while you push. We would much rather you push great for 1 hour and take a big 'ole poop then push bad for 3 hours and remain poop free.

5. Tell your nurse if something changes, like you all of a sudden feel pressure or this big urge to push, or if you want pain medicine. We can't read minds, and we want to help you, and we definitely don't want to miss your delivery because you pushed and we weren't there. Its like I tell my hispanic moms, "No empuja sin enfermera. No quiero bebe en la cama or el piso por favor." (Translation "don't push without the nurse. I don't want a baby in the bed or the floor please."

6. Its never too soon for an epidural, but it might slow things down. Epidurals make our jobs as nurses easier, but if you don't want one, we're OK with that. If we think you need one because you are freaking out or it looks like your baby isn't tolerating labor, then we'll tell you.

7. Birth plans are great, but its also great to hold them with open hands b/c labor is rarely predictable, no matter what the experts say.

8. If you are trying to decide to come to the hospital b/c you think you are in labor, try to avoid coming at 7am or 7pm. That's shift change, and its always chaotic. Its for your best interest.

9. Just be sweet to your nurse. We're here to help. We have rules we have to follow, like the number of people in the room at a time and what not. Please obey them. They aren't just arbitrary.

10. Trust your nurse and don't be afraid to try weird stuff we might suggest, like the birth ball or squatting or pushing on hands and knees. We do this all the time. Pushing is our deal, and we're usually pretty good at it.

11. When its all over and you are headed to recovery, saying thanks makes our day.

So there's ten things you can do to enhance the relationship you have with your labor nurse. Cussing doesn't bother us, screaming is OK, moaning rules, and pushing hard is awesome.

On behalf of all labor nurses out there, thanks for letting us share in your birth experience, and don't worry, we forget what it all looks like after the baby is in your arms.