Nurse's Viral TikTok Could Save Lives During Childbirth

A labor and delivery nurse just shared information that could transform how expectant mothers approach hospital births, and it's already spreading like wildfire across social media.

Jen Hamilton, a mom of two and author of the upcoming book "Birth Vibes," posted TikTok videos that amassed 300,000 views in their first day. Her message is simple but powerful: ask your hospital if they follow safe staffing standards before you give birth there.

The stakes couldn't be higher. Maternal deaths in the U.S. more than doubled between 1999 and 2019, giving America the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation.

Hamilton believes unsafe staffing plays a major role in these preventable deaths. According to AWHONN (the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses), your labor nurse should care for no more than two patients at a time, and ideally just one patient in active labor.

"I'm very fortunate to work on a unit where we have really good staffing most of the time," Hamilton told TODAY.com. "But I hear these stories from other nurses who work in places where unsafe staffing is the norm."

Getting accurate information requires some detective work. Hamilton suggests connecting with actual nurses through friends or local parent Facebook groups rather than calling the hospital directly. "You're only going to get the right answer from people who live it," she explains.

If you arrive at the hospital and discover your nurse is caring for more than two laboring patients, Hamilton recommends asking for the house supervisor. Request that they document in your chart that you're being cared for by a nurse with an "unsafe assignment."

Why This Inspires

What makes Hamilton's advocacy so powerful is how it transforms patients from passive recipients of care into informed advocates. By sharing insider knowledge that hospitals might prefer to keep quiet, she's leveling the playing field between institutions and the families they serve.

The response from other nurses has been overwhelming. When Hamilton asked how quickly requesting documentation would spur action, nurses flooded her comments: "Sooooo fast. Admin on call's phone would be ringing." Another wrote, "They would be offering big money to come in that they didn't have two hours earlier."

Hamilton stresses that if staffing issues arise, patients should never blame their nurse, who is simply doing their best under difficult circumstances. The pressure should fall on hospital administrators who control staffing decisions.

AWHONN confirmed to TODAY.com that "numerous studies have validated the relationship between inadequate staffing and inpatient mortality and adverse events." Their 95-page research document details comprehensive standards for safe maternal care.

Hamilton also reminds expectant parents to share this information with their labor support person or doula, since advocating for yourself during active labor can be incredibly difficult.

One nurse's courage to speak up is giving families across America the tools to demand safer care.