Reply #23: One of the most profound experiences I had as an L&D nurse

[kimi]

was helping deliver a fetal demise. Full-term, beautiful baby boy. Knot in the cord. No other nursery nurse wanted to deal with the aftermath, so I did. Bathed him, footprinted him, cut a lock of his hair, all for keepsakes for the parents, who were, of course, an emotional mess. The most difficult part of it, for me, at the time? Bathing him, in the utility room of the labor deck, and turning my back to grab a blanket, and realizing that I COULD do so, and he would not fall off the counter by the sink. I broke down when I turned back and then it hit me.

You don't ever get over it. You shouldn't. It makes you less of a person.

I'm sorry you experienced this, Aristus. And I'm sorry, but you will experience it again. Take your emotions with you for the next time, because that next family will need them.

Take care. :hug: