Is this common practice?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I was watching one of those Maternity Ward type shows on TLC late last night.... one of the mothers there (17yo) was being induced and wanted an epi, but didn't want her husband to leave the room. The MDA refused to put in the epi unless he left the room, which he wouldn't, and stormed out. They eventually called him back in 3 hours later and had him put in the epi with the husband pacing the hallway. (Of course with the medi-docudrama shows produced for TV, there's no telling how much of the story is "left out")

I thought this was odd, since when I had the epi with my first son my husband was actually the one who stood there and helped me "curl up." Was just wondering if this is pretty common (or maybe it varies by MD/CRNA preference)?

(This question serves no purpose other than to satisfy my own personal curiosity LOL)

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I saw that one last night too. Well, I sort of saw it, more like it was on for noise and would occasionally catch my eye. I didn't catch exactly why she didn't get the epidural but also thought it was because she wouldn't let the husband leave. And I thought it was odd.

I'll admit to being a little snarky about that mom. She went in wanting a natural childbirth but hadn't had the classes, she "knows how to breathe". Her flip and immature attitude really set my teeth on edge. I told my husband the scarey part was that when it was all said and done that girl was going to take a baby home.

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I have never heard of making a father leave before putting in an epi. Bizarre.

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Originally posted by fergus51

I have never heard of making a father leave before putting in an epi. Bizarre.

Happened with my third. Ticked me off. I don't know whether it was a change in hospital procedure or preference of the anesthesiologist. It was less comfortable leaning on the shoulder of a stranger, even though the nurse who was helping me was great. It's just not the same.

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Back in November, when my daughter had her third baby, 45 minutes after my daughter requested an epidural, the anesthesiologist came flying into the room told us to leave and as we were trying to get out of the room with the two older children (4 and 2 y/o) again DEMANDED that we leave. She kept saying, " You need to leave now". It took less than 2 minutes for us to gather the kids and get out. The Anesthesiologist shouted at my daughter who was in great pain at 7 cm that if we didn't leave and she didn't stop moaning and cooperate she (the anesthesiologist) would not administer the epidural. As a mother I was in a tough spot. My daughter needed (she thought) the epidural and I needed to protect my daughter. It was a bad scene!

I was SO SHOCKED. With her previous delivery at the same hospital, but with a different anesthesiologist, her husband was allowed to stay and it made for a much easier epidural administrtion and over all experience.

I saw the show last night and could really relate to that daddy. My poor son-in-law stood in the hall with his ear pressed to the crack in the door.

Oh by the way 30 minutes after epidural (which didn't even take) my new grandaughter was born... with Daddy, both big sisters, Grandad and me in the room..... We refused to let that anesthesiologist steal our joy!

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I have not had children, but my husband had epidural steroid injections 3 times and each doctor made me leave. They said less time the open spine is exposed to bacteria, the better. He wore a mask when he did it.

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We have some MDs who prefer that the family leave the room. While I think it's better for them to stay we have had dads faint or touch the sterile field or cause distraction for the anesthesiologist.

I have never seen an anesthesiologist not allow the dad to stay if he really made a fuss about it.

I think we need to respect the fact that it is a delicate procedure and can be complicated by some family members.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

NO not where I work.....

The s/o or one family member remains to support the patient in proper position or hold her hand. Most often, they sit up and lean over a tray table, and the s/o holds her in position or "hugs" her as she hunches over for the epidural placement. This is helpful to me in case I need to access her IV, or tx the patient for sudden hypotension, which occasionally happens. It's great, having that second pair of hands and reassuring to the patient to have them there.

OUR MDA's do NOT kick out these people above, but all others are asked to leave the room, for obvious infection control/sterile procedure concerns. the rooms are FULL of equipment as it is, let alone having people stand all over. And I have had a couple faint seeing the needle go in. I just don't have time to catch them if they fall.......I am busy with the mom, assisting the MDA and trying to keep up on q2m vital signs. Less people to get in the way while this is being done is a good idea to me.

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We allow 1 person to stay with the patient. We make the others leave because There is really no place for them to sit without being close to the sterile field or in line of site of the procedure. Epidural placement can be difficult for some people to watch. the needle is big and it goes into a scary spot and some people pass out. I always make the person who stays sit down during the procedure. I've had to catch allot of dads when they did pass out, It's allot safer when they are sitting rather then standing and I position them so they are looking at the patients face and cant see the needle.

That being said I suspect that some of our anesthesiologist would make everyone leave if they thought the nurses would let it fly. I won't and I know my colleagues won't so it will never happen where I work. Some anesthesiologists love OB and like taking away a patients pain, others prefer the OR and dislike working with patients who talk much less their family.

It might have also been the age of the patients. When my wife was pregnant with our first we were 16 and 17. We went to our first appointment with the OB/GYN and the medical assistant stopped me at the door saying that I would not be allowed to be with here during the appointment. I was shocked and asked why "Thats just the way we have always done it, now sit down!" Neither of us wnet in, instead we left and found another doctor. We were also treated badly on L&D and when our daughter had medical problems later we got the same treatment from many of the speicalists.

Some people get so angry when they see teen parents and I have seen them be treated badly. It tics me off when I see this because many don't know better and just submit to that kind of treatment. I guess it's easy to get negative about teen parents. We see so many that are unprepared or worse and it's tempting to pass judgment on them all. However as with any patient all you can do is treat them kindly and hope that in some small way you help them in their path.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by Dayray

It might have also been the age of the patients. When my wife was pregnant with our first we were 16 and 17. We went to our first appointment with the OB/GYN and the medical assistant stopped me at the door saying that I would not be allowed to be with here during the appointment. I was shocked and asked why "Thats just the way we have always done it, now sit down!" Neither of us wnet in, instead we left and found another doctor. We were also treated badly on L&D and when our daughter had medical problems later we got the same treatment from many of the speicalists.

Some people get so angry when they see teen parents and I have seen them be treated badly. It tics me off when I see this because many don't know better and just submit to that kind of treatment. I guess it's easy to get negative about teen parents. We see so many that are unprepared or worse and it's tempting to pass judgment on them all. However as with any patient all you can do is treat them kindly and hope that in some small way you help them in their path. [/

what a shame you were treated so badly, dayray. If ANYTHING I am EXTRA-sensitive and caring with teen parents. They need our support, not judgemental meanness at times like this. I bet you use this experience as a means to turn things around as much as you can. I imagine you are VERY kind and caring to ALL parents, particularly our teen moms. Good for you! You seem like the type to treat others well anyway.:kiss

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Specializes in ER/SICU.

my wife had our first 5 months ago mda refused to allow me to stay in the room. He stated he had several partners become upset or pass out and that was his policy, th ob nurse with my wife knew us(she taught the birthing classes at the hospital) told him i was an rn in the er. I told I had help tap quite a few ped and adult pt without passing out. (not to mention reduced open fx, help trach a pt in er cracked a few chest in trauma pts) i did not pitch a fit or anything he stated his point and i just wanted my wife to get the epi so i went and got a coke and when i got back she was feeling much better. I was a little peeved but no big deal, we have one of the plastic surg guys who comes to the er for mainly face lacs on kids whose parents are concerned about scars, he tells them point blank I will not do it with you in the room, if thats a problem you can have the er doc suture them up you called me and thats the way i work.

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Our anesthesists ask everyone to leave but one. The hosp my niece delivered in, asked everyone to leave.

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