Awful story

[Toolip]

I'm reading "Born in the USA" right now and I haven't been able to put it down until just now. I just finished the chapter on midwives and there was a horrible story about a woman attempting an HBAC attended by a midwife in florida. She had become dehydrated during her labor and the midwife suggested that they could go to the nearby er to get iv fluids and then return home. When she got the hospital there was a huge uproar and the doctor refused to help her unless she consented to the section. She had to sneak out the back door. The doctor got an emergency court order from the judge and sent the sheriff to her house and had her arrested! The sheriff said that he was instructed to use handcuffs if necessary... mind you, she is in labor all the while. She was arrested and taken to the hospital and immediately sectioned.
The woman and her husband tried to sue but the case was deemed unworthy by a judge so it never went to court.

I've never read anything quite so horrifying before. I am just shaking and I can't believe how awful this is. I am so angry and sad for this woman. I can't stop crying

I want to just not believe this could be true, but I know that it is. She was so clearly raped by this doctor, with hundreds of witnesses, and he walked away having "saved" the baby

I don't think that any of my friends could understand why this seems so awful to me. In fact, I'm quite sure that some would think that the doctor was right. Ugh

[Fujiko]

That is so horrible that I can't even think of anything to say about it. I'm speechless.

[terrabella]

?!

[Bluegoat]

This is very wrong, and also so not safe. Who is going to transfer to hospital when it becomes necessary if that is what happens?

I wonder too, what was going through the doctors mind. If we assume he wasn't actually evil, which seems unlikely, then he must have thought she really needed to be sectioned. How is it that the doctor and mw could be SOOO far apart in their perception of the situation? Medicine is never a 100% knowledge kind of thing, but "needs some fluids" and "must have emergency c/s at all costs even without consent" as very different indeed.

[fwlady]

I am crying with you. This is sooo horrible!! I would think that if the judge didn't think it was worthy malpractice wise, one would think that she could have taken him to civil court. I would guess after all that, I can't see how anyone would be able to function, much less go through a civil suit. This is sooo sad. In FL though, the child isn't really the parent's, but the state's. Although, that is only in the small amount of knowledge I have about the state while I lived there for 2 yrs. It is so sad. Kymberli

[mamaofprincesses]

I read it recently, too, and it IS really upsetting. I would gently suggest that, if you found that story so disturbing, that you not finish the book at this point. There are several stories in a later chapter that I found equally awful. I made my DH read them too, and even though he is by no means a natural birth advocate (except that he wants for me what I want for me) he was completely appalled.

It might just not be the thing to read right now, you know?

[Beccadoula]

PUSHED is another one that has that story (or one like it) in it - just chilling to read.

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by Beccadoula

PUSHED is another one that has that story (or one like it) in it - just chilling to read.

I ordered that one too. It's next on my nightstand.

[Kidzaplenty]

That is so sad, but I wonder how long ago that was? Perhaps times have changed since that happened. One can only hope!

[Toolip]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

That is so sad, but I wonder how long ago that was? Perhaps times have changed since that happened. One can only hope!

2006... I think

[Belle]

Originally Posted by Beccadoula

PUSHED is another one that has that story (or one like it) in it - just chilling to read.

It's the same woman. I saw a video of her recalling her experience once. I'll see if I can find it. It's a horrifying tale.

Here it is. She was a speaker at National Summit to Ensure the Health and Humanity of Pregnant and Birthing Women, held in Atlanta, Georgia in 1997. http://vodpod.com/watch/1823191-laur...erton-on-vimeo It gives a bit more details about it.

2006... I think

1996. Her C/S with an inverted T was in 1995.

[Belle]

Here's another scary one. In march of this year a mother who refused to comply with her doctors orders was confined against her will in a hospital and a cesearean was forced on her after her third day of confinement. WARNING. Loss in this story. http://www.theunnecesarean.com/blog/...ement-ces.html

[maritimemum]

that is horrifying..

[Belle]

For what its worth though, this woman went on to have a twin UC in 1999. I hope that it was healing for her after all that she went though.

[Kidzaplenty]

Originally Posted by Belle

For what its worth though, this woman went on to have a twin UC in 1999. I hope that it was healing for her after all that she went though.

In a sense, I hope you are right. However, I can not ever imagine really getting over something like that.


It should not be a concern in today's society. The worry of being forced.