Wednesday, February 6, 2008

You'll look back at that and laugh.

And now, nearly 6 months later I can. I think.

One night I had a patient who was a frequent flyer. Not the kind of frequent flyer that has been coming in for the better part of her second and third trimester for labor checks, but one that was actually in early labor and refusing any intervention.

She would come in screaming in pain. She was actually contracting fairly strongly but refused meds, IV, a cervical exam (at first anyway), membrane rupture to help progress the labor etc. So what exactly she wanted from us was a mystery and out the door she went again only to return a few hours later so we could play the same game over again. This went on for days and finally got to the point where I was the only one who hadn't taken care of her so I was up to bat.

At start of shift I figured she would probably be out the door again but at exam she had actually progressed far enough that she needed to stay. She was also screaming bloody murder and not just with her contractions. Constantly.

She said she wanted to get in the tub so I calmed her down long enough to check her again and make sure she wasn't getting ready to deliver. I drew her a warm bath and let her get in. Not two minutes later she is screaming like a banshee again and out she comes. I help her back into bed. The screaming continues.

She is so loud that I can literally hear her down the hallway, in the back of the nurses lounge, in the restroom with the door closed and the water running. The rest of the staff is working hard to reassure everyone else on the floor (who were all understandably freaked out) that this girl is in fact, going to be OK. I am working hard to calm her down.

When I step out of the room to give her doc a call and an update (which wasn't hard to explain her condition since he could hear her screaming over the phone) the mother steps out and says to me angrily, "I think we need some better labor support in here!"

Um lady, your daughter is a freak.

After hours and hours of constant screaming another cervical exam reveals no change and it would seem her cervix is starting to swell. Miss Priss is still refusing any sort of intervention. Finally, a team of us convince her an epidural would be a good idea and we start an IV so we can get the fluid bolus going.

If you labor nurses out there guessed that she wasn't very patient during this process you are correct. I went ahead and paged anesthesia, extremely worried that she would continue to act a fool and the anesthesiologist would refuse to do the epidural. Luckily for me, while she did continue into her seventh hour of ear piercing screams, I think the doc took pity on me and miraculously placed a beautiful epidural in a moving target.

Silence. At this point, I fully planned to leave her alone for the rest of my shift since I was worn out, was pretty sure she was worn out and most thankfully, she was sleeping soundly. Unfortunately for me, at about 4 AM her doc rolls in and decides we need to check her. Feck.

She is complete but still at a zero station. He wants to rupture her and start pushing. Me, anticipating what kind of a pusher she is going to be, and knowing the baby has looked beautiful all nights suggests we let her labor down some. I lost.

First push: Good. Second push: Good. Third Push: Good. Fourth Push: "Why isn't the baby coming?"

"This takes a little bit of work with first time moms. You are moving the baby well."

She looses her marbles again. We are back to square one screaming bloody murder. The doc comes back in to assess her. She will still push but you can probably figure not very effectively. Her mom starts screaming, "Why can't you push the baby out by pushing on her stomach."

I don't even dignify that with a response. My patient is yelling "Just cut it out, cut it out!!!". The screaming continues. The poor doc is trying to explain her options but she won't stop the damn screaming. She consents to a c-section which has to be done under general anesthesia because she wouldn't quit thrashing and yelling. Mom is pacing outside the OR in tears because her perfect baby is going to have a scar.

The silence in the OR was magical and as I had to push the baby back up this ladies vagina so that it could be extracted from her abdomen I found myself wondering where it all went wrong. Miss "No intervention" inevitably ended up on the operating table.

In a fitting end, as my patient came to, she was still swinging and I got punched square in the jaw. I look at the clock. It is 7:30 AM and in through the door walks my relief. I have never felt so thankful.

55 comments:

Megan said...

What? No birth plan? It still would have ended in the same place, maybe just a little quicker. God bless you for not hitting her back ;-)

Lena said...

Classic story.

Heather said...

What a shame. I blame the doc. What flippin difference would it have made to him to let the baby come down on it's own? I don't understand the rush to start a primip pushing the second they are 10 cms regardless of the station. RRRRRRRRRR. Such a pet peeve of mine....
..And six months later I STILL wouldn't be laughing....

pinky said...

No wonder I am ill tempered?

MomTFH said...

Yeah, it seems to me that little Ms. No intervention was not to blame for her c section, it was an overeager doc.

This was the entry that had me unsubscribe after a brief subscription to the blog. No one enjoys a screaming mom, but the blame the patient shit is getting old. I was a little Ms. No Intervention myself, minus the screaming. I am studying to be an Ob Gyn now, but I have been to about 50 natural births when I trained as a midwife, and an epidural is not the answer to a hysterical mom who wants a natural birth. Someone who knows how to coach someone without thinking an epidural is the answer to everything is.

I will ask you the same question I have asked in my brain after many experiences with bitter nurses as a doula. Why would you go into this profession if you are annoyed by women in labor who are in pain and emotional? Yeah, there are special cases that are above and beyond the norm, but you really seem to hate the moms who need you the most, and relish in their complications.

Dawn said...

Don't listen to Hilary. Just because a woman is in labor does not mean that she has the right to be completely obnoxious. I have a 3 month old and if it was not for my L&D nurse my delivery would have been a nightmare. Bless you! Thanks for the read.

pinky said...

So next time call Hillary. She is specially trained to handle the abuse.

ST said...

Wow - just wow. I also don't agree that it's the docs fault she ended up where she did. If she was so adament about no interventions she should have had proper training and a birth plan in place - what a whack job. Good for you for not hitting her back

yoinkit said...

Just found your blog yesterday and read every single post so far, don't tell my boss! :) Love it! Love every story! Great great stuff!

*completely unrelated, the word verification right now, if you sound it out, is $&%@ You. LOL!! HA!*

Nurse Lochia said...

I had a patient almost exactly like that last fall, except she wasn't against any interventions. Yelling and screaming until her epidural,pissed as all hell that the epidural didn't take away the pressure, and upset that after a couple pushes the baby wasn't out. Her poor mom and doula didn't even know what to do to help calm her down. She did finally push her baby out, but man was I exhausted after that shift!

l&d.rn said...

Hilary, I could write you a manifesto about why this screaming mom is different from other screaming moms, why an epidural was a good idea for her, why the outcome was what it was etc. but I have a feeling you wouldn't get it. One day, if you do become an OBGYN you might understand although this case was far from normal so I hope you don't. In the meantime I will direct you to the portion of the blog that says it is for entertainment only. If you don't like it don't read it.

Ashley said...

Oi. Hilary deserves the patients she will get.

Us preggos over at the Nest baby site love your blog! And, of course, we hope we never end up the subject of it.

LovelyJuliet said...

I don't see where this entry is blaming the patient. It is more of a recap of a particularly stressful night. Also, by reading the entry you will see that the patient not only screamed the entire time, but also refused any medical intervention, thus leaving the nurses bewildered and at a loss for ideas. How would a doctor normally treat a combative patient in any other situation?

I'd assume by knocking her out...

Beverley said...

I think this is a HILARIOUS entry. I would have shoved a sock in her damn mouth.

I puffy heart you.

Kassi said...

I heart your blog!!! It makes me laugh and giggle every time I read a new one!

Megan said...

Just wanted to let you know how much I LOVE your blog! It makes me laugh every time. Write more! :)

turk said...

Now, as a med surg nurse I'd have been all over the "vitamins"-Ativan, Haldol, thorazine maybe. Too bad you couldn't titrate til quiet on this one. Hell, I was maxed out on Pit for my first induction, and although I was ready to climb off the top of the bed before the epi went in, I had a little self control.

Donna said...

Being a nursing student that is doing her maternity rotation right now, I love your blog. It's helping me through school.!

Jennie said...

I have to say that I absolutely love your blog. Thank you for making me laugh. I can't wait for more!

Working Girl said...

Oh how I hate the screamers...

Courtney said...

I read this blog when I was pregnant and I would pray every night I didn't end up with a nurse like you. Maybe this blog is for entertainment, but it seems to me that you need a new profession.

AuntJoan said...

I'd like to see how some of the 'Negative Nellies' would respond to someone screaming in their ear after all offers of help, meds, etc were refused. If you're going to choose a natural childbirth you best have the 'nards to deal with the pain.

Renee Shaw said...

I just stumbled across your blog and read this first story...it's hilarious!!
I thought only people like that were on tv, but I guess real people are like that! haha
Speaking from experience I have had 2 natural birth, no interventions (I'm 22) and know that this girl ended up on the table because of her own stupidity!!
How was it that is was the doc's fault?? This patient was irational, so how else was the baby supposed to come out?? With the mother all up in arms screaming bloody murder, how much oxygen was actually getting to that baby?? When we relax out muscles and allow our body to do what it's naturally supposed to do is when things can progress. For someone to be thrashing about on the table isn't going to make things progress! I'm not a nurse or anything, but I did have a labour coach and no interventions...that the way to go in my opinion! Once I am done having kids I am actually doing to study to be a labour coach...I dont' want to deliver babies, like a doula, but I do want to help women realize that you can do it without an epidural you just have to work at it! But that's like anything, it takes hard work to get a good end result!
I'll definitly come back and visit your blog again! God Bless!

Emma and Jackson's Mom said...

Your blog is hilarious! I can't wait for you to post more. I am a nursery nurse and can totally relate to what you are saying. Your stories remind me of a coworker I use to work with, are you located in the Dallas area? She even had a patient name her baby Meconium! Some people are so weird! Love your blog, keep it up!

l&d.rn said...

Renee- doulas actually are labor coaches, they don't do deliveries. It sounds like that is exactly what you want to do. (And if anyone ever needed a doula it was this girl).

I should also add that not wanting an epidural because you are afraid of needles is not going to be enough to get you through a painful labor.

Rima said...

Hmm, dontcha think that a first timer, completely hysterical and in pain COULD have used some labor support? If that had been done in the first place, there would not have been hours of screaming, or a c-section. It's a no-brainer.

n. said...

she is not a freak. she just needed to be cared for by someone who respects natural childbirth.

Unknown said...

this blog is soooo funny!

Kori said...

Holy mother of god, why take things so personally? I am reasing some old posts, you see, and I want to tell YOU that I loved everything I rad, you are on my own list of favorites, and some of this is just really funny stuff. There are a lot of other technical sites out there is someone wants to debate whether or not the doctor or whatever is at fault, but it didn't even occur to me as I was reading this to even THINK about that part of it. I was just throughly enjoying myself. So thanks!

Kori said...

And sorry, in my rush to defend you-when surely you can handle that yourself, LOL-I posted SO many typos!

Portland Mom said...

Sorry for the delinquent post. I just discovered your blog and LOVE it; I am LOL at every post. As for this mother, I am sorry but she was a FREAK. I had a completely natural childbirth and yes, I was screaming and moaning, but I was not unreasonable. What person who truly wants a natural labor doesn't prepare for it? As a first time mom, you expect pain/a long pushing stage, delays, surprises etc. If you aren't prepared for that, don't plan a natural labor! Sign up for a c-section. Better yet, don't get pregnant in the first place because compared to motherhood, even a natural labor is a breeze. Keep the laughs coming!

Nuu said...

Hilary needs mental help. And Courtney, she's probably a better nurse than MANY you will find. If someone is going to act like an idiot, they shouldn't be having kids.

You need a license to drive, and a license to hunt/fish/etc., and licenses for other simple things, but they should require one for parenthood.

Like someone else said, if she knew she wanted no intervention, she should have had a plan written up and ready to go. You don't go through an entire pregnancy without knowing everything childbirth pertains to and can require unless you're really slow in the head. Anyone worth their salt would read as much as they could before trying to bring a child into the world. Yes, she IS a freak. Look at her mother. She wants to whine about support...what was she there for? Ornamental decoration? She should be the main support for this patient, not a nurse. If she didn't want to help her daughter and wanted to just whine for help, she shouldn't be there.

Keep up the good work, and bring more stories; this is one of my favourite blogs. ^_^

csmom said...

Don't the freaking Doctor's educate women anymore on what is going to happen during labor and delivery? Do mothers not educate their daughters? Or is it just too embarassing, oh my....blush.

My point is some are screamers and some are not. I would NEVER consent to an epidural because I know for a fact that there are better options out there like a small dose of IV Demerol perhaps, DUH! Of course now we are being told that is too dangerous to the baby, blah, blah. Epidurals were not invented to be used in labor and delivery for any other reason than to make it easier on the nurses and the DR. How much Pitocin did you or the Dr. give her? Most likely way too much, and that is why she was screaming the whole time. I would be too if they cranked it up like they do nowadays, so that you are screaming in pain, forcing you to beg for the Epidural. Cha Ching! Money for the hospital, the Anesthesilogist, and they usually lead to a C-Section, because you can't feel a darn thing, so you don't know what stage of labor you are in etc...Or, they force you to push before you are fully dialated and effaced. Say what. I am not going to push until my body tells me it is time. I had 3 babies all natural except for a bit of Demerol once in a while to take the edge off the pain. I am 5'4" and am tiny. My babies were 8lb 20x, 8lb 8oz, and 10 pounds. The 10 pounder was 24 inches long. I didn't even have an episiotomy with him, I was induced because he was 3 weeks overdue, but they did not crank up the Pitocin like they do these days. I never had an epidural, and was fortunate enough to have a hospital and Dr. that respected MY WISHES. They had a birthing chair and it was awsome. Gravity was on my side. So ladies don't let this obviously Jaded nurse jade you. It IS possible to have a natural birth, even if the Dr. thinks you are too small, or can't handle the pain, etc... Tell them to shut the F up, they are not in your body, or your head. Women have had babies for thousands of years with no intervention, and in Europe they don't even go to the hospital to give birth. They do it at home with a midwife. Guess what? The US has a higher infant mortality rate than Europe. We also have a high rate of ADD, ADHD, and Autism, most likely caused from a traumatic birth experience, and the fact that in the last 20 years they have forgotten about the function of the placenta. NOW they clamp that cord immediately when the baby is born. Say What? Why? When the baby comes through the birth canal don't you think a good portion of their blood may have been pushed back in to the placenta? If you don't allow the placenta to pump the blood back in to the baby, you are robbing him of his own blood, leading to other problems, like respiratory distress, brain damage from lack of oxygen, holes in thier hearts because one of the roles of the placenta is to close the holes in the heart. It only takes approx 30 min for this to happen, and then it expells itself if you breast feed right away, and or use uterine stimulation. Now they just rip the thing right out of you, possibly leading to you hemorhaging due to premature removal of the placenta. THE CORD SHOULD NOT BE CLAMPED BEFORE THE CORD HAS STOPPED PULSATING, DUH! That is what they taught nurses when my mother and sister were in nursing school, and me when I was in training as a surgical tech. I think this nurse has become a little Jaded in her career, and needs a job change, and to all of you who look up to her while you are in Nursing school should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you not know how to think for yourselves and utilize the dirty word COMMON SENSE. Common sense tells me that what they are doing in hospitals today are not in the best interest of the mother or child, because they use too much uneccary intervention, which F's up the whole birth process. This is why many women are chosing to give birth at home either unattended or with a Midwife. Watch the movie by Riki Lake called the "Business of Being Born" It will hopefully open some peoples eyes on the fact that hospitals, and Dr.'s are scamming them out of Insurance, and the taxpayers because of those who rely on medicaid. I have obviously done a lot of research on this subject, and I find it apalling that a nurse would laugh at someones birth plan, and completely ignore it, because the mother just can't possibly have educated herself on the subject. Do you as a nurse not realize the damage you are doing to young 1st time mothers with this blog? Disclaimer or not, this is not right. You are far to Jaded and sucked in to the get em in get em out and make sure they get that epidural so YOU don't have to listen to them scream. So sorry for you. Buy some damn ear plugs if you don't like it, or find another carrer, because you are obviously not happy in the one you are in, or you would be more patient and understanding of these women.

Jennifer D said...

So basically your proud of the fact that you showed this woman no compassion or support, forced an epidural on her to make your job easier, and eventually got her in for a csection because she was so pumped up on drugs at that point her body couldn't do the job it was meant to do? GOOD JOB NURSE your amazing!

Jennifer D said...

A big AMEN to csmom! NUrses in training should definitely read that comment!

csmom said...

Just a few more things. Sorry about the typo's. I was going so fast, I missed a few.

Epidurals: Are not as safe as you are told they are. As this nurse pointed out, get the needle in to a "moving target" in your spinal membranes. The center of all of your nerves that are connected to your brain. You could end up paralyzed, or have constant back pain and problems. I have seen it with my own eyes. There is no guarantee, that it will do what it is supposed to do. It may only affect 1/2 of your body, and not the other, or you could be so numb, you can't feel anything. So then they get to do a C-section, and cut you open and remove your baby, whooppee! Did you know the C-section rate in the U.S. has now reached 1 in 3? RED FLAG!!! That is scary!! 1 in 3? Why? I want to know when women lost their capability to give birth without constant "L & D Management"? Is it because of the way the charting procedures were originally set up, so the Nurses could spend less time charting, and more time with their patients, that has now turned into a checklist of things to do, and accomplish in your shift?

When I had my kids, it was all about drug free natural child birth, or limited use of pain medication. I had large babies, and back labor because they were all face up, instead of face down. So I did need an occasional shot of Demerol to take the edge off. It was given in small enough amounts that it had absolutely no effect on any of my babies. They were all born bright eyed, alert, and looking around, content little babies.

This "screaming woman" you are referring to, may have been low IQ, and raped for all you know. Her mother also may have not been the brightest bulb in the bunch either, and was probably knocked out cold when she had her daughter, or had a very difficult birth. How do you know their heads were not filled with horror stories like. "It is the worst pain you will ever feel in your life.", and "they had to use forceps because the baby got stuck, and they had to pull him/her out." So you have them coming into the hospital already scared out of their minds, expecting horrible excruciating pain, and were also told drugs are bad for the baby, so do it natural, but whom ever told them that, didn't bother tell them the rest of the story, and that is to take birthing classes on Natural child birth.

In just 21 years women have completely given up on the power of their own bodies to endure a natural process, that can be very joyful if done properly. This starts with the Dr. and his office staff, and entails compassion, support, education, and not just little bits and pieces of info that makes them think epidurals are 99% safe and effective, etc... So you had to deal with an ignorant woman and her mother for an 8 hr shift. Chalk it up to a bad day, and learn something from it, like Patient Education is extremely important.

I see so many youn women being told only the horror stories, and lined up at the Anesthesiologist's office to sign up for their epidural, without even giving it a second thought. And shame on their mothers for allowing this to happen to their daughter's in the name of "Medical advancement" It is all a bunch of crap. Women are being set up from day 1 to think childbirth is something that must be managed by a Dr., and they should always go to the hospital, "just in case" there is a problem. And guess what? because of all the medical management, something often does "go wrong", or they are made to believe that, based on thier lack of knowlege. They are not being educated on their options, on the fact that they can do this. It is normal and natural to give birth. It does NOT HAVE to be done in hospitals, nor attended by a Dr. You could have given the screaming woman a mild sedative, and it would not have hurt the baby. If she refused all drugs, etc... her wishes should have been granted to the best of your abilities, and explained to her until she understood, why some things must be done. Not talked into an epidural, so you wouldn't have to listen to her. She also could have been taught by you or an available Doula, or birthing coach that the more tense she is, the more screaming she does, is only going to make the pain worse, and probably slow down the birthing process. I bet she would have understood that. I would have also taken mommy aside, and explained that her daughter needed her support and compassion, and that her behavior was affecting her daughters. It probably would have been a much more pleasent experience for all involved.

Mortiferouslatte said...

...Thats actually pretty sad...there was no reason to start pushing, I guess everyone handles it differently but I wouldn't consent to major surgery because four pushes didn't work!!! I also hate the way that ld nurses force the epi... Oh well...I guess how she acted was sorta funny, but it also sounds a little like another birth rape. Classic.

Banjo_Granny said...

I have read your disclaimer and have respect for your need to use comic relief in order to cope with many of these trying circumstances, but did you or anyone else consider the possibility of prior sexual abuse in this woman?

Feeling entirely "out of control" is a big fear of sexual abuse victims. The pain of labor, the fear of medical personnel controlling her with drugs and procedures....those fears can cause an otherwise normal, intelligent person to "take control" of her own circumstances by doing something irrational.

Did anyone consider that she may have been having an episode of PTSD and was reliving the memory of a very painful sexual invasion?

The words that we use around parturient women can be triggers....the same words that a sexual offender might have used while assaulting the victim. e.g.: "This takes a little bit of work with first time moms. You are moving the baby well." VICTIM HEARS: "This takes a little bit of work the first time...you're moving real well Baby".

You get my connotation? Not all sexual assailants are outwardly cruel to their victims...often they're trusted family members who say honey-laced words while doing the inscrutable.


"Just cut it out, cut it out!!!" can actually have two meanings..."cut the baby out" is what a l&d nurse or OB would naturally interpret but, a sexual abuse victim who is flashing back to an abuse incident, might also be yelling, "just cut it out", meaning "STOP"

The fact that she "consented" to the surgery yet came out of anesthesia "swinging" is a rather bold indicator of someone who perceived that she was fighting for her very life. How often is it reported that victims of repeated sexual assault learn how to "lie down and take it"? In a sense, her consent to the surgery is akin to that, if indeed she had such issues.

Did anyone actually assess her for sexual assault or read her records to find out if that was at issue?

Jennifer D said...

Good Point Banjo-Nanny... which is why some of us call this "birth rape" which is fitting in this case.

Lift Up Your Hearts said...

I was linked to your blog by another that I read regularly and I have sat through until now with my mouth open. I had three babies in a hospital and my fourth at home and the difference was staggering. Your blog is a testament to the fact that women are treated like imbeciles who don't know what the heck they're doing. Oh, if you have kids I hope your nurses are more respectful than you are. This poor, poor girl - screaming because she probably was feeling a complete loss of control (I wonder why!), you convincing her to get an epidural you knew she didn't want, thankful when she was quiet, and then after a few pushes giving her a c-section? OH. MY. GOSH. You need to see the Business of Being Born and what labor CAN be like.

Courtney said...

Wow, thanks banjo granny. The reason I dreaded having a nurse like her is that I was sexually abused by a doctor when I was a teenager. Exams are horrible for me and I sometimes have flashbacks. Trust me, when you have PTSD and have a flashback, it's hard to act normal. I was so terrified I'd get a mean and jaded nurse who would treat my inconsiderately. Luckily, my nurses were really good to me and no one forced interventions on me.

I hope this woman wasn't going through flashbacks. If so, the way she was treated will haunt her forever.

SteveandAbbyGriffin said...

Wow. *yawn* I'm sorry, I dozed off half-way through the self-righteous, railing diatribes posted by militant earth mothers regarding evil nurses and mean doctors. Please, LIGHTEN UP and get a sense of perspective! THIS BLOG IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT. Sometimes as a nurse all you can do is share your story and laugh, because human beings are unpredictable and funny, funny creatures. It's true that the last thing a laboring woman needs is a critical voice, but where in this story were you transported to standing in the actual labor room, csmom? I take this blog to be a reflection on this nurse's PERSONAL thoughts, which, if we're honest with ourselves, are sometimes not too flattering regarding other people. She did not tell the patient that she was annoying. You have no idea what went on in that room. Medical personnel are not saints. They have opinions just like everyone else, and if you don't like this nurse's PERSONAL opinions then don't read her blog. For one, I LOVE her blog and sense of humor. I think she's a fantastic nurse and I would love to have her sense of humor in the room while giving birth.

something about janie said...

Jeez, what is with all these militant witches on here? This is a BLOG FOR ENTERTAINMENT, not a place to promote natural or unnatural childbirth. Did you not read the disclaimer? Take a freakin' chill pill.

Nurse, good job with the posts. Keep 'em coming.

Rachel said...

WOW
Ladies may I make a suggestion.........
IF YOU ARE NOT A NURSE......DON'T READ THIS BLOG
We have very black senses of humour, if this offends you, please remember that we developed this by having to deal with constant stress, abuse and death. In order to not go insane we blog, or journal or talk to each other. I don't expect you to get it because you don't do what we do.
If you're going to judge, STOP FREAKING READING IT!
How I feel about my idiot/insane/drama queen patients has NO impact on my basic care for them. Please don't assume that they didn't ask this girl about sexual abuse...you have NO idea what we ask and don't ask in certain situations. Some people are just HUGE Drama Queens whether you want to believe that or not.

Rachel
ER Nurse
P.S. I'm pregnant which is how I found this blog and I think its HILARIOUS!!! I want to start an ER one! Topic name: Things I've found up people's bums!

missbhavens said...

Oy very. I made it through about half these comments before I skipped the rest over to comment myself.

People, people, PEOPLE! Anyone here b*tching and moaning about a lack of labor support and pit and low-tolerance for screamers is just plain stupid. Yes, I said it. You're stupid.

Read it again. Then go back and read some other posts and tell me that this is the blog of an intolerant nurse who doesn't care. Oh, please! Y'all ought to be ashamed!

You want to lay blame? lay it at the feet of her prenatal provider who didn't a) prepare her enough and/or b) get her a psych consult. Someone mentioned she may have been an abuse victim and they may be right and it SHOULD have been noticed long before she was admitted.

I've worked L&D for five years in a giant urban public hospital and this happens ALL THE TIME. Patients like this come ALL THE TIME and you know what? After a while it gets old. It's true: you CAN'T help everyone, no matter how much you want to and no matter how much they need it. Some are unwilling/unable to learn and follow instruction -- particularly in the heat of a painful and emotionally dramatic moment like childbirth.

Give this nurse a break. She's clearly good at what she does and she clearly has a lot of heart.

Back off, B*itches.

Dusty And Mandi said...

I have no idea how this could have been the doctors fault! She was told her options. So, it was her decision. Anyway, ya'll did much better handling her than I ever could have.

DeshaineLove said...

Good lord. I think for Ps & Gs, I would have punched her back. She never would have known. j/k...barely.

kate01 said...

LOL, Ohhh the haters and there million paragraph rants! Still not sure why they even read this blog in the first place.
I'm sorry but if people should get another job because they get annoyed at their job then there would be NO NURSES, no doctors, no teachers, no restaurants no anything that had to do with people!
Get off your high horses, or leave.

Unknown said...

A first time mom with no meds is a "freak" for screaming?

One more reason to be glad I had my first at home with a CNM.

Jennifer D said...

Erika

I think the point that people were trying to make here is that she was a freak for opting out of pain medication to begin with. Disgusting, I know. Nevermind all the risk involved with having an epidural, that I'm sure are never explained in depth to hospital patients. Sad isn't it? I'm with you.. all my babies will be born at home.. as nature intended it.

Jennifer D said...

Erika

I think the point that people were trying to make here is that she was a freak for opting out of pain medication to begin with. Disgusting, I know. Nevermind all the risk involved with having an epidural, that I'm sure are never explained in depth to hospital patients. What a silly woman she was. Sad isn't it? I'm with you.. all my babies will be born at home.. as nature intended it.

Red Pomegranate said...

Hey, another L&D nurse here who *gasp*! had her babies at home. Okay, I totally get the gallows humor, and I've had my share of, shall we say, interesting, patients as well. Nevertheless for this particular post I must ditto banjo grandma. It sounds like this woman was a sexual assault survivor.

I'm not going to rant, I find some of your posts funny but I have to say I didn't enjoy this one, she probably did need more/better support, I understand, sometimes we nurses can't be the one to give it. And frankly sometimes an epidural is EXACTLY what a survivor needs. It's just too bad she wasn't cared for by someone who understood that she was laboring like a classic survivor.

And please, you ladies actually think a doctor is going to educate his/her patients? When?! OB appointments last 6 minutes tops!

Yes, it's too bad she didn't educate herself/not get raped/chose an OB blah blah blah.

FWIW I'm really sorry you got punched. That suck, no doubt.

Kandi Ann said...

Good job with the hating, Did any one else notice it took her SIX MONTHS to even be able to write this post? Gah

Amber said...

CSMOM and your little supporters -

You're complete idiots. I dread patients like you that think you know everything and that the nurses are absolutely EVIL. We're trying to keep your baby & your sorry butts alive & healthy. If you don't like it, STAY AT HOME, so we don't have to deal with you.

Lift Up Your Hearts said...

Amber - funny you say that - that's exactly what I did with my fourth! ;-)