Yesterday on our unit we had a young woman come in by ambulance. She stated she was bleeding and 15 weeks pregnant. In getting the rest of the story she had been to an abortion clinic the day before and they "put something in" so she could have an abortion. She panicked with the bleeding which was minimal and came to our Catholic hospital.
Sadly when she delivered a couple hours later she delivered a live approximately 22 week baby. The baby lived for about 1/2 an hour. The woman was hysterical and kept saying they(the abortion clinic) told me it wasn't a baby yet.
It was a very difficult delivery for our staff. I think it was a blessing for this baby that she decided to come to our hospital instead of going back to the abortion clinic. The baby was held and treated with respect. She was given support and information for follow up with our RTS group and other community resources and we helped her with funeral arrangements.
I think this also speaks to the lack of education and insufficient knowledge that many women have when having an abortion.
Never received records from the clinic so can't verify any of her story except that she was seen there the previous day and they stated she was 15 weeks.
She called our unit yesterday and was coming in again to see our social worker. This is one case that I am praying hard for, some people you just don't forget.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
the story regarding the procedure whereby a live fetus was delivered and taken to a room and left to die a slow, tortuous death, is what the others are referring to.
Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.
There is a type of abortive procedure, used during the second trimester, that uses laminaria, seaweed sticks, that are inserted into the cervix of a pregnant woman. If I remember correctly, the sticks expand, opening the cervix to allow for the abortive instruments to be inserted. They are inserted one day, & the woman is instructed to return to clinic the next day for the procedure to be completed.
I briefly worked at a "family planning clinic" for about 2 weeks. It was by far, the worst 2 weeks I could have ever imagined. It was common practice at this particular clinic for patients being "counselled" to be told that the developing fetus was NOT a baby, no matter how far along the woman was.
I believe the OP, 100%, & feel that this patient was probably quite young & naive.
No matter what the circumstances, I am sorry you had to go thru this. I am sure it was draining on you and the staff, as well as the patient. It is difficult enough to deal with fetal death, another to deal with the unexpected and its consequences. It sounds like you all handled yourselves wonderfully, and hearing that the young girl is coming back in for help is a great start. Give yourselves a pat on the back, you did great.
Do something good for you. Eat chocolate, get a massage, take a long hot bath....whatever floats your boat. You deserve it.
I am sorry that whole thing happened. I can't help but think about when I heard in class that a heart beats at three weeks and pain is felt at 20. That fact haunts me when I think of what goes on. Can't help but think you don't see that on the front page of the pamphlet at the planned parenthood/clinic/etc. While yes, people need to educate themsleves, they turn to medical professionals to help and I think it is up to all of us to tell the whole truth - not just what fits our beliefs/what we think will hurt them the least/etc. Let's be truthful - there are a lot of people who just cannot comprehend/know where to look for a lot of in-depth information on many situations (not just abortion) and re relying on either the helathcare system or a pamphlet written at what is it now, a 5th greade level, to make life changing decisions.
I am sorry that whole thing happened. I can't help but think about when I heard in class that a heart beats at three weeks and pain is felt at 20. That fact haunts me when I think of what goes on. Can't help but think you don't see that on the front page of the pamphlet at the planned parenthood/clinic/etc. While yes, people need to educate themsleves, they turn to medical professionals to help and I think it is up to all of us to tell the whole truth - not just what fits our beliefs/what we think will hurt them the least/etc. Let's be truthful - there are a lot of people who just cannot comprehend/know where to look for a lot of in-depth information on many situations (not just abortion) and re relying on either the helathcare system or a pamphlet written at what is it now, a 5th greade level, to make life changing decisions.
BA to BSN in 2006!
Very Good...
Some one in an earlier post said she did not believe this happened...all I know is that it did happen at our facility...We had a patient come in with lots of abdominal pain said she had been to an abortion clinic the day before and was given some medication (I assume cytotec) and was told to stay within 20 min of the facility but instead decided to drive home almost 90 min away ... when she started hurting she made it as far as our hospital.. she was 22 weeks and was scared, upset and in pain. She was crying saying she had changed her mind and wanted the Dr to "save the baby"...it was very sad. She was completely uninformed about what she was doing. It was hard on the pt and staff.
Some one in an earlier post said she did not believe this happened...all I know is that it did happen at our facility...We had a patient come in with lots of abdominal pain said she had been to an abortion clinic the day before and was given some medication (I assume cytotec) and was told to stay within 20 min of the facility but instead decided to drive home almost 90 min away ... when she started hurting she made it as far as our hospital.. she was 22 weeks and was scared, upset and in pain. She was crying saying she had changed her mind and wanted the Dr to "save the baby"...it was very sad. She was completely uninformed about what she was doing. It was hard on the pt and staff.
Uninformed or noncompliant and regretful. There's a difference.
For the record, I COMPLETELY believe the story about the baby in the freezer. I just read a new article about an abortionist eating the remains (I will gladly post the link if anyone is in doubt), so I would not put what that story states past the population as a whole, especially the population that thinks it's "not a baby". As horrific as it is to the rest of us, those people ARE out there - probably a lot more than we think.
Then if it is true, someone was giving both those girls illegal abortions. I've heard enough of abortion procedures from debate and looking up laws to know they do an u/s to date the pg, and they do not just give girls cytotec and tell them to not go too far. Abortions done past 20w are much more difficult to get and you can't even legally get them in most states. Where you can get them, it is done in a hospital setting.
And yes, I would like a link to the article you mentioned BA2BSN
PegRNBSN
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Update:
Never received records from the clinic so can't verify any of her story except that she was seen there the previous day and they stated she was 15 weeks.
She called our unit yesterday and was coming in again to see our social worker. This is one case that I am praying hard for, some people you just don't forget.