I've never been more disgusted in my whole life.

scarborogal · 06-12-2007, 10:31 AM

I was called to a birth yesterday of a teenage client I have. Very sweet girl, with all sorts of family support from her mother, aunts and friends.
I got to the hospital and her room was full of supporters. She was hooked up to a monitor as her water had been broken for 24hrs. (She thought it was peeing)
The nurse was very nice, but unfortunately the hospital was so noisy and she was constantly hearing the woman in the next room pushing her baby out. I suggested her headphones so she could concentrate on her breathing. She was on pit but was so far handling things well. She was 2cms when she came in.
After a little bit, she had to go to the bathroom so we got her up and when she came back we repositioned her in a chair near the monitor. Because of this change, her pain changed and was a little more uncomfortable. It was so crowded but I tried to work with her and she did not so bad but was not in a grove. Then there was a nurse break change.
All of a sudden the epidural guy walks in and starts telling her, yes telling her she needs an epidural. Tells her he is going into a surgery and she better get it now or she will be in extreme pain and there won't be anything anyone can do without it. He tells her as this is her first pregnancy she should not have to experience it with pain and it will be better for her. She says she is afraid of back pain and he said he has never had a client with back pain afterwards in 1000's that he done. He continues to browbeat her into making the decision. At this point she is going through contractions and he is using those as leverage to get her to take the epi. Her mother is crying now and the situation is getting out of control. I suggest to her if she wants to think about it for a minute and he tells her she needs a minute. He says not to take too long because he'll be gone soon. (LImited time offer) We talked and she decided she wanted to be checked first. I told the nurse and the epi man turned on me and said, what is the problem. I said that there is concern that the epi will slow her progress. And he laughed and said it "never" happens. I said, well, I"ve seen it happen and I'm not sure you can say never. Well that put me in the dog house. I was told later I wouldn't be allowed in the delivery room. She was checked and she was still about 2-3cms. The doctor then came in and asked what the problem was and that she needs to get the epi now or "she will be screaming in pain for 5hrs and there is nothing anyone can do about it." Quote unquote. She is now scared out of her mind. The doctor (whom I thoroughly respected and have been his patient in the past and who's praises I sing all the time) turned on me and said, "are you stopping her from getting this epidural" I said, "of course not!" I felt like saying, I just don't want her to be bullied in the decision. But I didn't. He proceeded to "threaten" her with more dire pain and left the room. I tried to calm the situation down and told my client that regardless of what anyone said this was her decision and it was only her that could decide. She opted for the epi and the anethesiologist started the proceedure.
He then proceeded to yell at her for not positioning herself correctly. I told her that everything would be fine and that she would now be able to get some rest and help her reconcile with herself the decision she made. Then after it was done, he promptly left the room and all his sharps out and one of the nurses pricked herself on the glass vial.
Then all of a sudden the baby's heart deceled. The heart rate got to the low 60's and the nurse got her flip several times, she stimulated the baby's head and palpated her stomach to get baby back up. They called the doctor and the mother and I stayed out of the way while they worked. After about 15mns baby finally got back up and the mother was on oxygen and scared to death now. I reasured everyone and we calmed down. The doctor came in and simply blamed the epi. Well duh. And they put on an internal fetal scalp monitor. Once everyone was comfortable and feeling better I took a break because I was ready to loose my mind on everyone. I was close to tears. I made some calls and calmed down. Then the epi guy cornered me in the hall and started giving me the third degree on my training and my purpose. I was polite and explained the best I could without smashing his face into the ground. He wanted to know who paid me, I get the feeling he was wanting to report me. Fine, I did nothing wrong.
And to make this long story shorter, she ended up having a c/s 5 hours later because she wasn't progressing. I told my husband exactly what would happen and it did.
Now I'm not sure what to do. I really want to send this epi guy some studies and reading on epidurals and their effects on slowing down labour. And I really want to send the doctor a note on how disappointed I am on how he treated his patient. I know I shouldn't but I just can't believe how horrible everything was.

Well that is my story and I'm sure I'll never work at that hospital again.

Thanks for reading.
K.

earthgirl · 06-12-2007, 10:45 AM

That really stinks!
Do you think it was becuase she was a teenager, that they kind of strong armed her like that?

scarborogal · 06-12-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earthgirl

That really stinks!
Do you think it was becuase she was a teenager, that they kind of strong armed her like that?

I think that is exactly it.

K.

DoulaYvonne · 06-12-2007, 11:32 AM

Yikes! What a trying experience for all of you. Unfortunately, if you send the anesthesiologist anything, it's going to end up in the garbage. Sorry to say, but he's not going to look at it. Heck, chances are he's probably already seen it and disregards! As far as the Doctor, that's another route I wouldn't take. He also will probably not care but he might use that as leverage to not have you work there. What I would do is find out about which commitee at the hossy is responsible for "internal affairs" types of things. Write a letter and be professional, no name calling. Ask for some kind of response from them, but depending on the hossy you may not get a response from them but at least you get your feelings off your chest in the right way and possibly bring about some change.

Doula Hara · 06-12-2007, 12:07 PM

i feel so lucky not to have had an experience like that yet! especially since theres only one hospital in my county where women can give birth! i had one experience where i wasnt sure i could ever work there again, but ive pushed on through my fears and continued there. it was my very first birth, and the nurse and i *didnt* get along, and she ended up giving me a horrible evaluation and sending a copy of it to DONA. how considerate of her. now every time i get off the elevators and turn toward l&d, my stomach sinks and i get this horrible feeling that i might have to work with the same nurse again.

im sorry you and your laboring mama had to go through this. but experiences like these make us appreciate the times that we find truly caring care providers.

saffrondoula · 06-12-2007, 12:11 PM

I know we're supposed to help moms feel good about their labor decisions, and what I'm about to suggest is likely not to do that, but it might be the best way to go. I think the mom and family should sue the hospital and the doctor and the anesthesiologist. There are enough witnesses to adequately prove that the jerk threatened her into it, that the epidural shouldn't have been given, that the epi caused the heart decel and even the cesarean. There is enough research on the subject to show that this guy was very wrong in what he did.

I think it may be our responsibility as labor professionals to inform mothers of their options even in cases like this, where something went wrong and it would be right to take action.

I wish things like this never happened. It's really horrible.

scarborogal · 06-12-2007, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the words of advice. After writing it down here I actually feel better and not so upset anymore. I think I just needed to get it off my chest. Plus I've done some looking and feel better that I know I was write. It wasn't my birth and if my client feels like she needs to vent it out or do something about it then I'll be there for her but it isn't my fight. Just talking it over with you guys has made me feel so much better.

Thanks for listening guys.

K.

doula Michele · 06-12-2007, 12:29 PM

Well you did all you can do, and no point jeoprodizing your career. If the mom and her family are really upset about it, then it is their job to report any wrongs. Its not really your job, since its not your birth....just my opinion.

Tiffany · 06-12-2007, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarborogal

Thanks for the words of advice. After writing it down here I actually feel better and not so upset anymore. I think I just needed to get it off my chest. Plus I've done some looking and feel better that I know I was write. It wasn't my birth and if my client feels like she needs to vent it out or do something about it then I'll be there for her but it isn't my fight. Just talking it over with you guys has made me feel so much better.

Thanks for listening guys.

K.

This is exactly what AllDoulas is for. Write it out, get some support. Do what you need to do deal.

mommacoop · 06-12-2007, 12:36 PM

What a sad situation! I have been in a birth where an epi was requested. When the anesthesiologist came in to place it, he acted as if he was God... there to be the hero and Mom owed him something! I truely believe that these med students turning doctors should be graded on their bed side manner... AND re-evaluated every year!

yeah right, that would never happened... but it is a nice thought.

I'm sorry you had such a rough time!

scarborogal · 06-12-2007, 12:37 PM

I just got off the phone with my clients public health nurse and told her what happened and she is going to talk to her about it and tell her she can report them to their college if she feels she wants to and go through that process with her.

Thanks again guys.
K.

BlessedBottomz · 06-12-2007, 12:55 PM

Do you routinely do a postpartum with your clients? I would sit down, quietly, and listen to her version of her birth experience. Unless she mentions anything about being upset with the outcomes, I wouldn't say anything else on the matter. Yeah, it was horrible what they did for her, but the more and more scared she got, the less she was open to a natural birth anyway. It seems as though they gave it to her before 5cm right? Well, every epi-man should know that giving it before 5cm slows things way down and increases the usage of an assisted delivery 3x over. I applaud you for not losing your cool too. It could have been a lot worse if you did.

RosyDoula · 06-12-2007, 02:27 PM

Man, what an a-hole! I'm so sorry that happened!!!

brilliant · 06-12-2007, 02:46 PM

oh geez. what a horible experience for everyone involved. howdepressing.

do you mind if i ask what hospital it was? and do they have the right to ban you from the delivery room?

Pixie T · 06-12-2007, 03:38 PM

What a drag Kim - I am so sorry I wasn't there to pick up the phone when you called! I have had a very similar experience with a teen mom who was brow beaten into an epi, and then a cs. That sucks, and it is so hard to witness - I do think that the age of these women leads docs to think they can behave this way (and unfortunately, no matter how much support the woman has, it works).

I'm sorry you had to witness it, but it is lucky for your client - however she interprets her birth experience, you'll be there for her to help her process it in a healthy way. And if you feel like writing a letter, write a big nasty one to yourself first, and then write the one you'll send out. It helps me every time!

If you need to call, I'm here! You're a great doula Kim - don't ever forget that!
T. xxoo