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Just gave birth at NYU and I have to say it was really annoying when I was in labor and the anesthesiologist resident came in to ask me questions and opened with "We like to get to know the patients since anyone in labor is a potential C-section candidate". I was planning an unmedicated birth anyways, but even if I wasn't, I would have been annoyed.
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OP: Because I was induced, my big reason for not wanting the induction (which was medically indicated) was because of risk of c-section and I didn't need someone coming in in the middle of my labor highlighting a risk I am well aware of when SHE could have just asked my the questions and said they do it of all patients "just in case".
[ Reply | Options ]np, exactly. This statement should have been avoided. And you should let the hospital know (imo)
[ Reply | Options ]hospitals have to tell you risks - why would the potential of a c-section be off limits as a topic? Is it that taboo to get a c-section?
[ Reply | Options ]The anesthesiologist is under no obligation whatsoever to stop by and discuss a C section with a laboring woman.
[ Reply | Options ]The anesthesiologist could have discussed his concerns with regard to pain management without announcing that he was standing by in case of a c-section. He could have introduced himself and let op know that he was available if she wanted or needed an epidural, and left it at that.
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np: i'm sorry but this is totally ridiculous. first of all, i think it's a mistake to go around thinking that you need special handling b/c you don't want to be scared with the risk of a procedure that is relatively safe. it's a c-section. it's not like someone came in and said "did you say goodbye to your children because you might die today in this very room". secondly, i think the job of the hospital employees is to let you knwo your options and possibilities. i don't want it sugarcoated. i want to know exactly what is going on and what might be going on.
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you realize that if you were induced the odds of a c go way up. so the resident was well within his bounds--and in fact acting prudently--to ask you the question. you come off as someone looking for a fight. someone who wanted a unmedicated birth, agrees to an induction and now wants everyone to act like she's still having an unmedicated birth. just be happy you have a healthy baby and quit whining.
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Wait a month or two and write a letter to the hospital explaining what happened, and explain why it bothered you. And then ask if this was simply a tactless technician or if this is hospital policy because if it is indeed policy, you want to warn your friends considering NYU L&D of the pervasive attitude. See what happens.
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You are a better woman than I am. Had my first unmedicated, my second induced and went for epi. That is excellent!!!!!
[ Reply | Options ]op: I had the epi for #1, but got that awful headache afterwards, didn't get it for #2 because they tried for 1 hour and couldn't get it in, so for #3 I decided I would be better off without it (and I am). So happy I could do it even though they had to give me pitocin.
[ Reply | Options ]np: I think getting induced works better if it isn't db #1. I was induced for #2 (had #1 without induction) and was also worried about c-section, but actually labor was extremely fast.
[ Reply | Options ]Learned something here. I had a headache for WEEKS after delivery and no one knew why. It was the epi. I thought I was going to lose it, I never get headaches.
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Honestly it was clearly a busy, tactless staffer who didn't understand the emotions of a high strung woman in labor. Let it go.
[ Reply | Options ]I agree with the first part of your sentence, but disagree with the second. Why not help make him aware of how to improve his bedside manner?
[ Reply | Options ]Because in all fairness he probably delivered the sentiment too harshly but it was appropriate.
[ Reply | Options ]It is NOT appropriate for him to mention a C section. Period. That IS the problem.
[ Reply | Options ]why the hell not? its a risk. its not a guarantee, but i'd ratehr be ready if god forbid i need one thatn not. and before you aks, i had a drug free birth in a hospital myself.
[ Reply | Options ]That is between you and your doctor, not the an who happens to be stopping by the room of a woman in labor who didn't even have an epi.
[ Reply | Options ]ot having an epi doens't prevent you form needing a c/s. and your doctor isn't an anesthesiologist.
[ Reply | Options ]The point is that the anesthesiologist had no business to conduct in the room. There was no need for a visit. The laboring mom might have needed open heart surgery that day too, but the cardiologist didn't just drop by.
[ Reply | Options ]she's much more likely to need the c/s than heart surgery. let's say her baby was in genuine distress. at that point you think the anesthesiologist should come in and ask the preliminary questions?
[ Reply | Options ]I think that the OP had a problem and if she wants to explain it to the hospital she should, if she wants to come here and vent she should, if she wants to do nothing she should. Its not for me to decide. It's her issue. If this hapened to me as described by OP, I would complain.
[ Reply | Options ]OP here-I had no problem with them getting the basic info they needed in case (weight, allergies, etc), but I just thought the opening line (by a woman, btw) was inappropriate. All she needed to say was we want to get some basic info in case you need us, not "every labor is a potential c-section"
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I really don't understand why it isn't appropriate. It is a fact and not an obscure risk.
[ Reply | Options ]NP: Because attitudes of medical personnel can affect outcomes, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The attitude expressed by this Dr is part of the reason why a high chance of c-section is a "fact" of every American birth and not an "obscure risk" - we view every birth as a medical catastrophe waiting to occur, as opposed to a natural event that will likely go well.
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Because, it is a not a place to teach people manners, you are really blowing this WAY out of proportion.
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you are hormonal and newly pp. you need to let it go. you have a healthy db, right? who cares what the resident said. move along now.
[ Reply | Options ]eek, a tad condescending. I didn't have this issue, but I did have a similar one with a hospital when a patient died, and I (with the help of others at the hospital) changed the policy for the better. It happens.
[ Reply | Options ]eek, a bit different...a patient's death is very different from the lack of sensitivity to a woman in labor.
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it was not the patients death, it was the lack of sensitivity that was changed. It doesn't matter, I was just saying that sometimes policy is bad and people can change it. Not that anyone who doesn't want to should.
[ Reply | Options ]there is a HUGE difference between the bedside manner when someone dies and a woman in labor. it wasn't best thing for person to say, but op needs to let it go. she is home with a healthy db and it sounds like she had the birth she wanted. if she is going to dwell on crap like this, she is going to make herself nuts
[ Reply | Options ]:)you don't even know the policy that was changed. It was actualy a questionaire about the food sent to the family. I think when someone is admitted to the hopital after a tragic accident and dies within 24 hours and doesn't eat the food, the family shouldn't be sent a questionairre by the hospital two weeks later to rate the meals. It may not be a HUGE issue to you. I was to me, and I approached it my way. Thats the thing, we all have different issues. IF OP wants to complain, so be it. Who are we to tell her that she needs to get over it because she is hormonal?
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You need to take a deep breath. I am very neurotic, but this would not have bothered me at all. Enjoy your baby and move on.
[ Reply | Options ]op: honestly, I am not that stressed out about it, but I think it was inappropriate and I will write a letter. Trust me, I am not neurotic, this is my 3rd child, but I also do believe that childbirth is over medicalized and I am shocked at the number of people who think a c-section is not a big deal.
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NP ditto. The c rate is what, 20 - 30%. Not crazy for them to say, hey you've got a decent chance of having to need one, this is why we're asking. Maybe if they did NOT tell you why you'd freak out that they were thinking there might be complications and you would need emergency surgery. I'd prefer doctors to be open and clear about what they are asking and why.
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the anesthesiologist was completely correct in this situation. Healthcare providers are REQUIRED to identify themselves and why they are there. Its innapropriate for doctors to speak in euphamisms like "just in case" because it risks breakdowns in communication. C-section is not a dirty word and if you cannot handle hearing someone say it, that is a personal issue of yours, not of the doctors bedside manner.
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