Rating: 
Summary: Compelling read for anyone interested in L & D
Review: As an aspiring doula, I was captivated by Hard Labor. I especially enjoyed reading about the events that led her to become an obstetrical nurse. As I am facing a similar journey, I was fascinated by her description of the duties and demands facing ob nurses today.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Resource-Language Concerns
Review: As I read the first sentence of the third paragraph of the preface, I almost didn't read the book. My intentions on pursuing a career as a L&D Nurse were "out of a naive enthusiasm over the process of birth after I delivered my own two children." I thought I didn't need to read anymore. But I did and I am very grateful. I have some guidance now and information that has been extremely helpful. I would encourage anyone desiring to pursue this field to read this book. It has given me tremendous insight as a mother for my next delivery and some alternatives as well. My concerns are for the language of the book. I felt as though the swearing and crude descriptions were completely inappropriate. There was no need to use such expletives so often. Other than that, it was an excellent book. Due to the language, which was my ONLY complaint, this book was awesome (thus, only 4 stars)! A must read for every aspiring L&D Nurse and Mothers everywhere looking to become more educated!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource-Language Concerns
Review: As I read the first sentence of the third paragraph of the preface, I almost didn't read the book. My intentions on pursuing a career as a L&D Nurse were "out of a naive enthusiasm over the process of birth after I delivered my own two children." I thought I didn't need to read anymore. But I did and I am very grateful. I have some guidance now and information that has been extremely helpful. I would encourage anyone desiring to pursue this field to read this book. It has given me tremendous insight as a mother for my next delivery and some alternatives as well. My concerns are for the language of the book. I felt as though the swearing and crude descriptions were completely inappropriate. There was no need to use such expletives so often. Other than that, it was an excellent book. Due to the language, which was my ONLY complaint, this book was awesome (thus, only 4 stars)! A must read for every aspiring L&D Nurse and Mothers everywhere looking to become more educated!
Rating:
Summary: What I missed
Review: At the age of 16, I was my sister's coach during her planned cesarian delivery of her second and last child because her husband didn't feel he could handle it. Due to miscalculations of their doctor who refused to listen to them, my nephew was born 3-4 weeks early and we nearly lost him many times during his stay in the NICU. I had already planned to go into nursing, but that time with Josh where I held the oxygen mask on him while the medical staff worked on him and later seeing him with tubes coming out everywhere from his body (including an IV in his scalp)-- I was definitely set.However, when I started college in 1987, the university I attended had a non-user friendly nursing dept. The women in charge of it were nothing short of Attila the Hun! They drove more good students, who would have been outstanding nurses (myself included) away than they retained. A former CNA and also a habilitation aide for developmentally disabled children, today I am a 911 Dispatcher. It is my niche and I love my job. But, still, I often entertain the thought of going back for a nursing degree despite three knee surgeries and a back injury. I am an EMT, which usually satisfies my drive to be an ER nurse. Since my experience with my nephew, I have wanted to work in a nursery, specifically a NICU. One of the only television shows I watch is Maternity Ward on TLC, which feeds into that desire even more! Hard Labor was a wonderful book and I felt I partially lived my life-long dream through Susan's stories. As a former CNA, I could relate to many of the exhaustive work she described. I hope she writes more books and shares more of her stories! THis is a well-written, excellent insight into a noble profession.
Rating:
Summary: What I missed
Review: At the age of 16, I was my sister's coach during her planned cesarian delivery of her second and last child because her husband didn't feel he could handle it. Due to miscalculations of their doctor who refused to listen to them, my nephew was born 3-4 weeks early and we nearly lost him many times during his stay in the NICU. I had already planned to go into nursing, but that time with Josh where I held the oxygen mask on him while the medical staff worked on him and later seeing him with tubes coming out everywhere from his body (including an IV in his scalp)-- I was definitely set. However, when I started college in 1987, the university I attended had a non-user friendly nursing dept. The women in charge of it were nothing short of Attila the Hun! They drove more good students, who would have been outstanding nurses (myself included) away than they retained. A former CNA and also a habilitation aide for developmentally disabled children, today I am a 911 Dispatcher. It is my niche and I love my job. But, still, I often entertain the thought of going back for a nursing degree despite three knee surgeries and a back injury. I am an EMT, which usually satisfies my drive to be an ER nurse. Since my experience with my nephew, I have wanted to work in a nursery, specifically a NICU. One of the only television shows I watch is Maternity Ward on TLC, which feeds into that desire even more! Hard Labor was a wonderful book and I felt I partially lived my life-long dream through Susan's stories. As a former CNA, I could relate to many of the exhaustive work she described. I hope she writes more books and shares more of her stories! THis is a well-written, excellent insight into a noble profession.
Rating:
Summary: I'm ready to "start getting ready" to be a mother.
Review: I am 28 years old and I don't remember a time when I was ever excited about having a baby. I did not want children because I was so afraid of giving birth. I was terrified. I got married a year ago and I felt like I had to do something about my fear. I wanted a baby but I did not want to go through the birthing experience. I bought this book and all my life-long fears are GONE! It's incredible. For the first time in my life I feel like this something that I have control over. Something that I can do. I don't know why I ever felt any other way. Now, I feel like I can make educated choice about childbirth. I have not decided yet where I am going to give birth but it wont be in a hospital!!! I am planning on having a baby in about two years and I am starting to get ready NOW (intellectually, mentally, physically)! I am going to get all the books that Susan suggested. She sounds so awesome. I wish I could have her as my doula. From being absolutely terrified about childbirth , now I am extremely excited about being a mother. Thanks Susan, wherever you are.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent, true-to-life story of Delivery Room nursing
Review: I am a former Labor and Delivery Nurse of five years and I just can't believe how true and accurate Susan's account of Delivery Room nursing is. It was as if she were writing my own story. The detailed way she recalls specific patients, good and bad encounters with doctors, problems with hospital politics, certain good or bad deliveries, and her personal feelings about all of the situations is so touching and real. The book is an excellent account about what really happens in hospital delivery rooms and disqualifies the frequent notion that Labor and delivery nurses have a fun, easy job "playing with babies all day." This book is a must-read for all L&D nurses, Doulas, Midwives,mothers, and anyone specifically interested in the amazing role of a woman giving birth.
Rating:
Summary: loved it
Review: I loved this book so much I read it twice. It inspired me to persure a career in teaching prepared childbirth. The language was harsh and I also feel uncalled for, but you can't beat the book. Must read.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, informative, and unfortunately all too true
Review: Ms. Diamond not only captures the intensity and drama of the OB unit...but her personal journey through the process of becoming a seasoned RN is heartbreaking to watch enfold, yet an inspiration to those of us who still believe in the power of birth.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, informative, and unfortunately all too true
Review: Susan Diamond's book is the most realistic I have read of this type of "true-life" book about the professions dealing pregnancy and birth. I do recommend it for everyone, but with the warning that it may disillusion you! This book should be taken as a call for change in the system. In too many places things are just as she has described them. It does not have to be that way. The only thing I really want to know, after reading this book, is... what is Susan doing now?
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