16 Maternity Nurse Skills for Your Career and Resume

Maternity nurses are nurses who specialize in caring for pregnant women and new mothers. They have a wide range of skills that they use to provide care and support to their patients. If you’re interested in becoming a maternity nurse, it’s important to understand what skills are necessary for the job.

Breastfeeding Support

Breastfeeding is the process by which a mother nourishes her child with breast milk. Maternity nurses often support mothers who choose to breastfeed their children, as it’s an important aspect of caring for newborns. A maternity nurse may offer guidance on how to properly feed a baby and answer any questions mothers have about breastfeeding.

Compassion

Maternity nurses often work with expecting mothers who are experiencing a variety of emotions. They may be nervous about the birth, excited to meet their child for the first time or overcome by exhaustion. Maternity nurses must have compassion for these women and offer them support throughout their pregnancies. This can help ensure that the patients feel comfortable asking questions and seeking treatment when needed.

Basic Neonatal Nursing Procedures

Basic neonatal nursing procedures are the skills and knowledge needed to perform basic care for newborns. This includes how to change a diaper, feed an infant, monitor their health and administer medication. Maternity nurses often have this skill set before entering the field and may continue to learn more as they advance in their careers.

Postpartum Care

Postpartum care is the period of time after a woman gives birth when they’re recovering from childbirth. Maternity nurses often have to assess their patients’ health and recovery progress, as well as provide them with any necessary treatment or medication. They also need to educate their patients on how to take care of themselves during this period so that they can recover quickly and safely.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings. Maternity nurses often use empathy when interacting with patients, as they may experience a wide range of emotions throughout their pregnancies. For example, if a patient feels anxious about an upcoming procedure, a maternity nurse can offer words of encouragement and support. This can help the patient feel more comfortable during treatment and improve their overall health outcomes.

Infant Massage

Infant massage is a skill that can help you provide care to newborns. Maternity nurses often perform massages on pregnant women to prepare them for childbirth and reduce the risk of complications during delivery. You may also use your infant massage skills to comfort babies who are experiencing discomfort or pain.

Attention to Detail

Maternity nurses must be able to pay close attention to detail when caring for their patients. This is because they may need to keep track of a variety of information, including the patient’s medical history, current symptoms and treatment plans. It also means that they should be able to accurately record any data related to the pregnancy or birth so that it can be reviewed by other members of the healthcare team.

Interpersonal Skills

Maternity nurses often work with patients and their families, so it’s important to have strong interpersonal skills. You may need to explain medical procedures or answer questions about pregnancy and childbirth. Maternity nurses also work in a team with other health care professionals, so you should be able to communicate well with your colleagues.

Patience

Maternity nurses often work with patients who are experiencing a variety of emotions. They must be patient and understanding when working with new mothers, especially if the mother is having difficulty coping with her pregnancy or childbirth experience. Maternity nurses also need patience when caring for their patients physically. For example, they may need to wait until a patient’s body naturally releases an afterbirth before cleaning up the patient.

Family Planning

Family planning is the ability to help patients make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Maternity nurses often use this skill when working with pregnant patients, as they may discuss birth control options or other ways to plan a family. This also includes educating patients on how to prevent pregnancy and what resources are available for them if they do get pregnant.

Flexibility

Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a maternity nurse, you may need flexibility in your schedule and work environment as well as with patients’ needs. For example, if a patient’s spouse has to leave unexpectedly, you might need to fill in for them by providing emotional support or taking over duties like cooking meals.

Labor & Delivery Support

Labor and delivery support is a crucial skill for maternity nurses to have, as they often work in hospitals or birthing centers where these services are provided. Maternity nurses who have this skill can provide guidance and emotional support to expectant mothers during their pregnancy and when giving birth. They also know how to handle emergency situations that may arise during childbirth and can help ensure the safety of both mother and child.

CPR & First Aid

Maternity nurses are responsible for caring for patients during childbirth and the postpartum period. This means they need to have CPR and first aid skills so they can respond to emergencies that may arise. Maternity nurses also use their medical knowledge to assess patient conditions, administer treatment and provide advice on how to prevent or treat health issues.

Maternal-Child Bonding

Maternal-child bonding is the process by which a maternity nurse develops an emotional connection with their patients. This can help them better understand and support their patients’ needs, as well as provide more compassionate care. Maternity nurses who have strong maternal-child bonds are also more likely to be happy in their careers and stay at their jobs for longer periods of time.

Prenatal Education

Prenatal education is the process by which a maternity nurse teaches expectant mothers about pregnancy and childbirth. This includes educating them on how to care for themselves, what changes they can expect during their pregnancy and how to prepare for labor and delivery. Maternity nurses also use this skill when working with patients who are trying to conceive or those who have experienced infertility.

Newborn Care

Newborn care is the knowledge and skills needed to take care of a newborn. Maternity nurses often work with new mothers who are breastfeeding, so they need to know how to support this process. They also need to be able to recognize when a baby has health issues or developmental delays that require medical attention.

How Can I Learn These Maternity Nurse Skills?

There are a few ways that you can learn the skills necessary to become a maternity nurse. You can take classes at a local community college or online. You can also become certified through the American Nurses Association. There are many books and online resources that can teach you the skills you need to know. The most important thing is to have a passion for helping new families and be willing to learn.