10 Disadvantages of Being a Labor and Delivery Nurse

While labor and delivery nursing can be deeply rewarding, it’s important to recognize that the role also comes with significant challenges. From physical exhaustion to legal risks, the reality behind this high-stakes specialty is more complex than it may appear.

The following disadvantages are based on insights from Jennifer Schlette, MSN, RN, a pediatric critical care nurse in New York City and former Director of Undergraduate Nursing at a New York college. With experience in both clinical care and nursing education, her perspective offers a grounded view of what aspiring labor and delivery nurses should know.

1. The Work Is Physically Demanding

Labor and delivery nurses are constantly on the move. Whether it’s repositioning patients, assisting with emergency procedures, or standing during long shifts, the role demands strong physical stamina. Fatigue, back strain, and even minor injuries can be common over time, especially in high-volume hospitals.

2. You May Face Medical Emergencies at Any Time

Deliveries don’t always go as planned. Nurses must be prepared to respond quickly to life-threatening situations such as fetal distress, postpartum hemorrhage, or emergency cesarean sections. The ability to remain calm under pressure isn’t optional—it’s essential.

3. High Risk of Exposure to Pathogens

Working in a clinical setting brings a constant risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious agents. Despite precautions, nurses are often in direct contact with bodily fluids. Strict adherence to hygiene protocols is critical, but the risk never fully disappears.

4. Emotional Toll Can Be Significant

Labor and delivery is emotionally intense. While many outcomes are joyful, nurses are also present during some of the most devastating moments in a family's life—miscarriages, stillbirths, or emergency complications. The emotional weight can accumulate, especially without proper support or debriefing opportunities.

5. Complications Are Part of the Job

Even healthy pregnancies can develop sudden complications. Nurses are not only responsible for monitoring both mother and baby but must also assist in managing unexpected issues. These moments require fast thinking, teamwork, and sometimes heartbreaking communication with families.

6. Missed Meals and Delayed Departures Are Common

Labor doesn’t follow a schedule. Nurses often work long, unpredictable hours and may go several shifts without a full meal break. Leaving on time can be rare, particularly during busy nights or when complications arise at the end of a shift.

7. You May Witness Tragic Situations

Labor and delivery nursing isn’t all about new life. It can also involve stillbirths, pregnancy loss, or maternal emergencies. Being present in these moments is emotionally taxing and can weigh heavily on even the most resilient nurses.

8. Long Hours Spent on Your Feet

Labor and delivery nurses are rarely seated during their shifts. Between monitoring machines, supporting mothers, preparing medications, and assisting with births, they're on their feet for 8–12 hours (or longer). This can lead to physical exhaustion and chronic discomfort over time.

9. Extensive Certification and Ongoing Education Required

Beyond RN licensure, labor and delivery nurses often need advanced certifications such as:

• C-EFM (Certified in Electronic Fetal Monitoring)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program)
• NICU-level training for those supporting high-risk newborns

Hospitals may also require in-house programs or additional credentials to stay current and compliant with safety standards.

10. There Is Legal Liability

Nurses in this field are at risk of malpractice claims—especially if a delivery doesn’t go as expected. Even when care is appropriate, outcomes can lead to legal scrutiny. Documentation, communication, and policy compliance are vital, but even these cannot guarantee legal protection.

Final Thoughts

Labor and delivery nursing offers meaningful, life-changing moments—but it also demands physical endurance, emotional resilience, and an ongoing commitment to professional development. As Jennifer Schlette, MSN, RN, highlights, these challenges should be weighed carefully by anyone considering this path.

If you're drawn to this specialty, it’s important to pursue it with full awareness—not just of its joys, but also of its pressures. Over here, I call this seeing the road and then making the move.