I had cared for a woman on her first post op day, after having an emergency c/s. She was still fairly critical, and on magnesium, so she stayed with us on L&D. Sadly, her baby did not make it. I cannot go into details. People made some serious mistakes and errors in judgment, and a beautiful baby died because of it.
Our unit is reeling from this death. It was a totally preventable, unnecessary death. The nurses who cared for this mom before and immediately after the birth needed debriefed. Her primary nurse was encouraged to take some time off, but amazingly came back to work again the next evening. She's stronger than I would have been.
For those who believe that all births can be beautiful, natural things if left unhindered, please realize this: there are times when being in the hospital is truly the best for a mother and her unborn baby. This would have been an even worse outcome if she had not come to the hospital.
Just in a complete state of shock. Absolute, utter shock at the loss of life.
Anger at the people who are responsible.
Sadness for the grieving family.
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Roll out the Red Carpet. NOT!
5 hours ago
19 comments:
Rough as the NICU can be, I sure would not want your job caring for a mom around the time of a neonatal death. :( Thinking of you and your coworkers.
How sad. I take it you don't see situations like this very often? Were they by chance hoping for an unassisted birth at home?
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. It is the whole families loss but it is also a huge loss for everyone of your coworkers.
It is especially hard when you think it was poor judgement. That is even harder to swallow.
I know from experience these things stay with you on some level forever.Hang in there.
Health care workers can suffer from Post Traumatic Stress from the often horrible things we encounter on a daily basis. Nursing can be very demoralizing. We once had our chaplain come in to bless our nursery after a string of very bad outcomes. It was a small blessing.
Stay well.
Looking back on the monitor strip, I can analyze what happened, and where things went wrong. I also was not there when it happened, so it's a moot point. However, hopefully we can all learn from this sad situation.
We have had some week of very sad stillborn with parents that wanted this baby so bad after years of IVF. $ weeks ago we lost a mom to PIH after she stroked. The baby we got out in time and is doing great. L and D is not all wise a happy place like most thing it is. Been there with you and feel for all nurses dealing with these things.
Wow..I have been there and have looked back at events.... and have shared so many of the same feelings you have described. Shock- Angry- So Sad- I agree with what you say here.
I want to have a strong focus on the natural... avoiding unnecessary interventions etc.. On the other hand-- there are so many individuals who have illnesses, risks that can differ from one individual to another.... In all the years I have been doing this, I feel it challenging to achieve a healthy balance in some situations. It's hard to explain to people... who's only birth experience is beautiful and natural or who just don't know what I mean.
I am so very sorry for this loss and for what ever happened.
I want the courage to tell some of the sad stories. Some day.....
My thoughts are with the family and all of you.
StorkStories
I am so sorry this happened...sorry for the family and for the nurses and doctor(s). I've had nurses and OB's who rejoiced with us for our new baby. There have been some real jems, and I would hate to be a part of pain for them in being a mother of a still born. It was hard enough knowing when I had a fetal demise at 16 weeks, that the sonogram tech was crying. I wanted to make her feel better. I know the parents had to deal with their loss, but it's also hard thinking of the staff being impacted.
This sure makes me wonder about the decels on strips and the like...ugh. I like less monitoring, but if my baby is at risk of death, I'd rather take it than leave it!
Blessings!
Dawn
AMen Birth_lactation
I agree. I want a more natural approach but how is that baby reacting to the decels. THen again, I have had many many beutiful strips for Scheduled sections and the baby came out floppy and needing ppv. So the EFM is not all it is cracked up to be. We need to learn more, we need more assessment skills.
Easy to see where it went south when you are watching it from the desk. But watching it for hours at a time, you can begin to fool yourself. This is where having outspoken coworkers is a blessing.
My prayers are with you cervix. All of us L&D nurses have been there.
I have a question for you midwives and LD nurses...One of my friends delivered her first baby (a girl, vaginal delivery, induced w/ pitocin) on Monday, and the baby developed spontaneous pneumothorax shortly after birth (she took a breath but didn't cry out). They whisked her to NICU and she ended up doing well and is now at home. My question is, how often does this occur, and what are the chances that the outcome would have been as good if it had been a home birth?
A fetal demise, neonatal or maternal death is the worst part of this job. I wish I had a nickel for every person whose said to me "Oh, you work in labor and delivery! How nice to be in such a happy place!" Well, yeah....most of the time it is. But when it isn't, it really, REALLY isn't. {{{hugs}}} Lisa
@ Elizabeth -- I'm not a midwife or a nurse, but I have given birth at home and am currently planning a hospital birth (due this week!) I just wanted to point out that "home birth" is an very broad term... giving birth at home in the state where I used to live, under the close watch of a professional midwife who is state and nationally licensed, and who carries pharmaceuticals and life saving equipment, is very different than a home birth in a state like Indiana, where I live now. Homebirth midwives here are considered felons, and generally are not trained or licensed (though they REALLY want to be!) and don't have access to drugs or resuscitation equipment. I felt complete trust in my CPM midwife at my last birth, she was trained and prepared for anything! I have chosen not to have a homebirth here with an underground midwife (though many friends have with excellent outcomes despite the limitations.)
Hey there!!
This is just sooo terribly sad...
I am hoping that the hospital staff admitted to the errors made ...even if a huge lawsuit would result...it's the right thing to do...
God is still watching...even if we aren't telling the truth...
I am so sorry.
Does your hospital have an adverse event review process? It is such a difficult issue.
As a mother who had a stillbirth a couple months ago, I feel compelled to tell you that our nurses were the people who helped us get through those awful hours. They selflessly held our hands, helped us make decisions that we never thought we would face, and made sure I was as physically comfortable as possible. God bless you and all the other nurses who help moms like me through the worst moment of their life.
Lonelymom - I'm so sorry about the death of your baby. What a terrible, awful experience to go through! My heart goes out to you! xoxo
I just started reading your blog, & I realize I'm coming in very late on this post.
I had a very coerced 38wk c/section with #1 which was just awful. Spent forever researching & planning for the safest birth possible for #2, but she was an 'unexplained stillbirth' at 37wks (strange that a doctor not a few miles away was taking a perfectly healthy baby out of a perfectly healthy mom by c/section at 37wks at the exact same time we found out).
With #2 I have to give so much thanks to the nurse at our side. She was flat out amazing. She encouraged me actively moving around, avoiding everything like I wanted, etc. She even stood up with me against the doctor when he was arguing with me to get an epidural. She really was amazing & I still see her face (though I admit, I never even thought to get her name :-( ) every time I think back on that birth.
Thinking lightening usually doesn't strike twice, we decided to go it again, only this time- as everything checked out more than beautifully- ended in a 40w1d complete placental abruption, silent for over an hour...
Though there were 2 nurses that really pissed me off; the rest of the attending staff were miracles! The charge nurse that triaged us, she stuck around in PACU & PP to check on us. The very young/new NICU ped. was a huge solace, & all the nurses on the PP wing were outstanding.
I find myself very blessed to have had such exemplary staff during these very bad times. They were all more than competent, very caring & just, the best people I've met. I never underestimate their jobs anymore, I can't even imagine having to attend my two situations, let alone doing this over & over & over & still having the strength to keep going. I understand fetal & maternal deaths are in the minority in L&D, but I'm sure they stick around a lot longer than the textbook perfect births do.
For the nurses that wear their hearts on their sleeves every day & still do their jobs, making impressions on SO MANY families that come through your doors, BLESS YOU. You all are angels in disguise.
I hope you realize that your hugs, or touches on our shoulders, kind words, soft eyes, or even the tears, they really do etch themselves in our memories of our sweet angel babies. Thank God for angels in disguise!
Marcia -- I am so, so, so very sorry about your babies. How incredibly sad! I am very glad to hear about the wonderful nursing support you had for both of your births. (((hugs)))
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