Insider Tips From A Labor And Delivery Nurse

Even though you may not have met them before, labor and delivery nurses are an essential part of your hospital birth team. In this episode, Registered L&D Nurse Mandy Irby talks with Adriana about why nurses may love and hate birth plans, how to navigate triage, the difference between hospital rules and body rules, why IV sticks can be so tricky, the poorly named “fundal massage,” how to foster a connection with your nurses, and, oh, so much more!

What we talked about:

• What do L&D nurses really think of birth plans?
• Is there a type of plan that is preferred?
• What’s the best time to hand it to your nurse?
• Facility rules vs. body rules
• What to expect during triage? What’s your goal as a nurse?
• Navigating an IV stick… and why not to hold it against your nurse
• Do people have to do all the things that are part of hospital protocol? And if they don’t want to, what’s the best way to convey that?
• Ways to figure out the protocols followed in your facility?
• The value of the hospital tour, and when the best time to do it is
• The poorly named “fundal massage” and its protocol
• Is it better to come in before or after shift change?
• What if you come in too early?
• What exactly is “curb walking”?
• One of Mandy’s favorite tools: peanut balls! (bonus: there’s a link to her video about how to use them)
• Her favorite part of birth
• The most challenging part of her job
• Are treats for L&D nurses appreciated? If so, when should they be given? (And we also talk about what those treats could be…)
• What Mandy wishes everyone knew about her job

Related resources*:

• BIRTH PLAN AHA Moment after My Traumatic Birth YouTube video, by Mandy Irby – The Birth Nurse
• What You’re NOT Allowed To Do In Labor // Labor and Delivery Nurse Rants YouTube video, by Mandy Irby – The Birth Nurse
• The Best Labor Positions for a Faster and Easier Birth with *Surprise Ending* | Natural or Induction YouTube video, by Mandy Irby – The Birth Nurse
• Uterine massage for preventing postpartum haemorrhage, Cochrane systematic review
• Shifting Perinatal Nursing Culture to a New Standard of Advocacy, JOGNN
• Exposing the Role of Labor and Delivery Nurses as Active Bystanders in Preventing or Perpetuating Obstetric Violence, Nursing for Women’s Health
• Trauma-Informed Care Education Initiative Explores Impact on Perinatal Nurse Secondary Traumatic Stress and Workforce Challenges, The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing

Related Birthful episodes:

• Informed Consent In Childbirth
• Cesarean Risk: What’s Your Place of Birth Got to Do With It?
• A Quick Guide To Triage
• [Postpartum] Hemorrhages Explained

Image description: Mandy Irby, a white-presenting person with short brown hair, smiles, and is standing in front of a pink backdrop, wearing a green lace shirt

About Mandy Irby

Mandy Irby is a leading authority in transforming birth care culture through the prevention of birth-related trauma by creating The New Nursing Standard of Care.

Her paradigm-shifting workshops, keynote speeches, and consultations drive the change to patient-centered care within a safe and ethical framework for nurses. Influential leaders in perinatal healthcare, like Centra, Ascension, and WellSpan, collaborate with Mandy to build trauma-responsive care cultures. Her work with the Canadian Nova Scotia Health Authority at IWK Health and the Maryland Patient Safety Center with the Maryland Department of Health has brought trauma-informed care into action. Since founding The Birth Nurse, she’s worked with state quality collaboratives, departments of health, and hospitals to strengthen psychological safety in childbirth and improve family outcomes across generations.

Additionally, through her popular social media accounts, she shares provocative insights and thought-provoking strategies with a global audience of over 220,000.

You can learn more about Mandy and The Birth Nurse on her website, and on Facebook and Instagram @thebirthnurse