Sorry--a vent on OB's!

[courtenay_e]

Alright, ladies. I just got a call from my a client saying she's at the hospital and her contractions are four minutes apart. She has had mild ctx all day, as well as fairly consistent bloody show. Yes, the beginning of labor, you're thinking. She got to the hospital to be checked, and is not dialated. And (get this) the PA who checked her can't tell Whether there's been any effacement...she says she isn't very good at checking for effacement. Okay, if you're not good at checking a laboring woman for progress, why are you checking her?! (At the very least, the person making the final assessment should be someone who's better versed, wouldn't you agree?!)

THEN, the OB talks to her and says they're going to keep her over-night for observation. Why, I ask? Well, there's been some bloody show. I got a little concerned. Bright red? I ask. No, the nurse assures me, brown. My client says she'd rather go home, but the OB says if she does, she's leaving AMA!!!! AND WILL HAVE TO SIGN FORMS THAT HOLDS THE HOSP. HARMLESS!! What a crock. They are scaring this girl into staying at the hospital HOURS before she should be there. I ask the nurse whether this is going to put my client "on the clock?" Well, she answers, we don't have plans for intervention TONIGHT. Sure, but tomorrow morning, when she's been there twelve hours and has "only" dilated to two, they're gonna hook her up to pitocin and the works. Darn it anyway. I really hate the "establishment!" The slippery slope begins. And off I go, to watch it happen.

Grrrr. This girl is alone, no personal support, no nobody to take care of her. She's scared, doesn't know what to expect(I've educated all I can, but you know that you can't know until you've experienced it...), and tired already. Prime candidate for "the works".

Any advice?:lol Besides, I mean, kidnapping her and bringing her to the nearest homebirth midwife? :shrug

[onlyboys]

Just be present and calm for her. Remind her of her rights and her abilites.

I'm sorry, I've been there.

[mamato3cherubs]

I have to simply agree with pp. You know how to help, try to get her to get some rest and relax, if she cant reast ,help her to do somethings to get labor to pick up. Just be there for her, who knows, maybe things will jsut get going and it wont really be as you fear, be POSITIVE! good luck and enjoy the birth experience! Every one is a new place to learn!

[Zoo Loo Naturals]

I'm sorry for you and I'm sorry for her and I'm sorry for all the Mamas treated this way and I'm sorry this is typical and I'm sorry for me cause I see it too all the time...

Knowing all that you know yes, you can educate and inform and she should make decisions that she feels comfortable with. These need to be HER decisions, it is her birth, not the staff at the hospital. Personally I think it would be good for her to go home, rest, eat and relax. Mama will open up and baby will come when it is ready, when it is it's time.

Do tell us how it turns out.

May courage and love be with you.

[courtenay_e]

Thanks, everybody. So far, this is what has happened...

I've talked to her about pit. and about AROM, and what they can mean for her and the baby. She has empatically decided to avoid these (yay!), as she really really has no support for after a c-section...on top of the fact that she needs to go back to work as soon as possible after the baby is born :( and c-section would hinder that...they'd have a hard time eating (although she is on wic). Anyway, seems as if the doc might be getting the idea, and is thinking about sending her home (duh). Contractions seem to be consistent between 3-5 minutes, but she was able to sleep for most of the night (except to get up to pee). I did have her walk around, dance on the birthing ball for quite a while before she went to bed, as she never regularly goes to sleep until the wee hours (usually works nights). Hasn't been checked yet, but I don't expect to hear that there's been much noticable change. It IS early labor, after all! I'll keep you updated. I'm so glad this is here, so I could rant at you all, and be calm and composed talking to docs, nurses, and my client. Thanks for the shoulders!!

[hippiemom]

WOW, I hear you. What the hell was anyone doing putting their hand in her if they really don't know what the F they are doing!!? isn't that the sick irony, that anyone can "check" her, stick their hands in her, but then they will be paranoid about a little bloody show... Poor thing, and poor you. Did anyone offer that if she leaves the hospital "AMA", she can still RETURN when she needs to, it is not as if they are going to turn her away, but I know for a young single mama this is daunting. We can educate to the best of our abilities but it is still their trip, up to them. We can also cheerlead for assertiveness and make our clients aware of what their choices truly are (instead of that neat little tiny window that OB's show), but still, up to them. It is the hardest part of my work, to watch people get taken advantage of because they don't quiiiite know how to stand up for themselves when they have never been through birth. That is what subsequent children are for, haha. Still, she is lucky to have you, take care of yourself! :thumb

[AngelaB]

Just wanted to add that I checked out AMA while in labor with ds2. It had been 24 hours of constant contrations but only dialated to 1-2. The doctor said to the nurses on the phone to send me home but the dumb nurses had me sign the forms anyways and were really nasty about it. If my husband hadnt been there to yell at them I would have probably stayed at the hospital. Its great that she has been able to rest overnight, it makes it easier to stick to your guns!
We came back the next day and our treatment was much better, great actulaly. We got different nurses that were so very kind.
Anyways its not a big deal to check out although it seems like it at the time. Good luck to both of you, I couldnt imagine doing it alone and having to go back to work soon afterwards. She is lucky to have you!
~angela~

[Zoo Loo Naturals]

Be sure you are resting and eating too. :wink

[courtenay_e]

Be sure you are resting and eating too. :wink

UGH...I woke up last night every time someone shifted. I need a nap. :lol I also have a 4 yo and a 2 yo :lol no rest for the weary! I am trying very hard to eat right. The hardest part of this journey for me is getting to the gym. My gym time has frequently been eaten up by client appointments. I'm feeling a little chubby...and really do think that if I were getting more exercise, the little loss of sleep last night wouldn't make such an impact. I need to reevaluate my time management and figure out a way to get there. I can't afford to buy new clothes, and I'm pushing close to the next size up. :)

I know that the hardest part of the whole experience for her is that the father is being a major jerk. It caused her more stress last night that the father didn't call her back than it did to be threatened with induction. She was very strong with the doc/nurses, though. I was very proud of her. It must be so hard to have to do it on her own...even though I'm there and trying to run interference, she has to make and voice the final decisions.