This weeks episode of ‘One Born Every Minute” portrays nurses sitting around casually chatting about their personal lives rather than caring for patients. As a labor and delivery nurse I can speak to this first hand. As in any stressful profession: firefighters, police officers, flight attendants – they ALL have some downtime- debriefing and relaxing in between stressful events is part of balancing out the job.

The last thing expectant parents want to think about is the loss of their baby. When this unexpected and rare situation occurs, it needs to be grieved.

Thirty years ago, babies who died were whisked away; out of sight/out of mind was the thinking. We now understand that the opposite is true: seeing, holding, taking photos and having footprints and locks of their hair as mementos are actually very helpful in completely grieving the death.

Friends and family often feel awkward and at a loss for words, thinking that avoiding the issue is the kindest thing to do. In reality, just listening and letting the grieving mother or father talk is the most helpful and can be very therapeutic.

Sarah McMoyler RN

The newest reality TV show ‘One Born Every Minute’ airing tonight on the Lifetime channel, depicts birth as the harrowing experience expectant parents feared it would be…while it appears to be amusing, I question the aftermath of this sensationalized view of birth.

I remain curious; watch for my comments tomorrow. If you watch tonight at 10:00 PM, please tell me what you think http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/one-born-every-minute?cmpid=Consumer-OneBornEveryMinute-Pandora

Sarah McMoyler RN
www.thebestbirth.com