Prevention of primary cesarean section is an important focus of obstetric practice and is a key component of improving maternal morbidity and mortality. While all parts of the labor and delivery team are responsible for improving patient outcomes, Jasmine takes this charge personally. Jasmine had a primary cesarean section prior to working as a labor and delivery nurse. She describes her C-section as "probably unnecessary, and if I knew then what I know now, I would have advocated for myself." Jasmine now provides the advocacy that she so desperately needed during her birth experience.
Recently, Jasmine received a report on a patient who had been dispositioned for a primary C-section for failure to progress. The patient adamantly did not want a primary cesarean, so Jasmine performed an assessment and informed the physician of her findings. She advocated for additional time according to AWHONN and ACOG guidelines. She then implemented several interventions to improve the patient's chances of a vaginal delivery. Jasmine's expertise with these interventions earned her peer recognition as the unit's "peanut ball princess" (a peanut ball is a special birth ball that helps expedite cervical change).
Jasmine assisted the patient in a variety of laboring positions, including runners and knee-chest; these interventions can be very difficult when a patient has an epidural, so doing it requires a lot of effort and assistance! The patient had been called for a primary C-section at 0700, however, thanks to Jasmine's advocacy and effort, the patient had a beautiful vaginal birth at 09:30!
Jasmine brings this passion and expertise to work with her each day, and I am confident that her work improves the lives of moms and babies each time she's here!