L & D Day 1 - Disparity is alive and well.

Labor and Delivery...where everyone comes into the world one way or another, whether you are at home or in a hospital birthing center. Without regard to race, religion, status...we all get here the same way. How nursing and medicine facilitates it though is a story worth telling. NSVD, C-section, or VBAC. Day 1 in L & D, I was told by my expert nurse to observe and watch what she/he does/did. "You'll pick it up as we go." Here is what I picked up Day 1.

Single early 20-something, hispanic woman G3, P1 versus married physicians, mid-30s, G1, P0. It's the difference between a having pillows tucked everywhere around your cute little petite pregnant form, being served a carefully mixed juice cocktail, snack box, peace/quiet, an early epidural and collection of classical music and discussing your goals for the day, versus "oh yeah, can you get her some water...I forgot about that...c'mon breath through it...you're up next for an epidural...make him (the offending boyfriend) wait in the waiting room. What's with all the noise from those kids? Sigh. Tisk Tisk. Irritation. Stomping around and then the pass off to another nurse. Once that was done, feeling better. More time to schmooze and discuss goals for the evening with MPs. Whatever you decide...if you wish...we can arrange for a (C-section). "You look so tired...so concerned. Can I get you anything?"

Yeah I learned so much by the afternoon. Disparity is alive and well in nursing L & D. The thing is, we are all guilty of it in one way or another, no matter who we are or what capacity we are serving within. It's the difference between taking care of someone you respect, and someone you refuse to understand.