Bad Delivery

FutureNrse · Feb 16, 2005

Your story is horrible, and the treatment you received inexcusable. Although it matters not, there are many hospitals that would treat you (as a homebirth transfer) with kindness and respect (the way everyone is treated). We get HB transfers on occasion (because we are one of the few hospitals that has a positive relationship with some of the HB midwives in the area). The practice who will accept them asks that these candidates have at least ONE office visit with them to make sure all is a good fit. It is usually a positive experience and benefits everyone:most important the pregnant couple.
Those who choose HB have to realize, however, that not all HB transfers are easy to work with. Many are scared to death and as confrontational as anything, making it extremely difficult to please these people at all. Often when transfer has been necessary, more interventions are necessary (though not always) and it is difficult at best, when one of these couples comes in demanding that NOTHING be done.
That, on top of the fact that many HB transfers that facilities see are "train wrecks" or the result of an incompetent midwife doesn't help the HB cause at all.
Granted, it is unacceptable that HB transfers are treated poorly by staff. In all fairness, however, it must be stated that often hospital personnel are treated poorly by HB patinets for a myriad of reasons. Thus, the attitude that prevails many places. Don't forget that hospital people never get to see all those HB's that go right!
It is inexcusable that you were treated poorly. No matter how long it has been, I think a letter to the nurse manager of the unit where you had to deliver, as well as a letter to the hospital president is in order. Health care professionals need to be aware and accountable for their behaviors.

Thank you so much for your kind words. We were made to feel like a home birth was wrong, and even told that the reason most choose a home birth is because the mother drinks or uses drugs and doesn't want the hospital to find out. I've always wondered if one of the staff switched my urine sample intentionally, and that really hurts me.

I did go to every prenatal appointment, and was in great health or I would'nt have considered a home birth. I do have to admit, that after being treated so badly upon arrival, we did decide to do one thing that the staff wasn't happy about. During one alone minute we had, we decided that once our son was on his way out, Daddy would step-in and catch him. Other than that, we treated the staff well, even though they certainly didn't treat us the same. They were quite peeved when just as my son was making his appearance, Daddy quickly stepped in front of the doc and caught him then laid him on my stomach.

I think you're right about writing to the hospital, I'd hate to think of anyone else going through what we went through. We were mature enough and experienced enough to handle the situation, but maybe others aren't. So many young women have babies, and I imagine they'd be quite intimidated by the situation we were in. I'm going to take your advice and make sure that the hospital knows just how painful and unfair our experience was. Thank you.

CEG · Feb 16, 2005

I attended Bradley classes when I was pregnant with my daughter. I ended up with an induction at 42 weeks, pain meds, etc. But the classes are really about being informed. There is even a session on C-section (and how it is sometimes necessary). I've read on this site about doctors who always use vacuums, cut epis, perform elective c-section, etc, and attending Bradley classes would be one way to ensure you understand those things. I think a few bad teachers/ students give it a bad name. Dr Bradley was an obstetrician so he couldn't have hated them too much:)

BETSRN · Feb 16, 2005

I attended Bradley classes when I was pregnant with my daughter. I ended up with an induction at 42 weeks, pain meds, etc. But the classes are really about being informed. There is even a session on C-section (and how it is sometimes necessary). I've read on this site about doctors who always use vacuums, cut epis, perform elective c-section, etc, and attending Bradley classes would be one way to ensure you understand those things. I think a few bad teachers/ students give it a bad name. Dr Bradley was an obstetrician so he couldn't have hated them too much:)

It just seems that when you get one of these really anti medical bradley couples they are not the least bit interested in learning ANYTHING, nor do they really wish to listen to a reasonable explanation about why some specific intervention may be beneficial.

Often, it is all about them, with little regard for the baby's health and well-being. Granted, that is not often but in my opinion, once is too much.

I well remember one particular couple who were adamently against the PKU and CF tests. When the nurse actually sat down with them and asked them if they knew what these tests were for, they had NO idea whatsoever. When they found out, of course they wanted the blood work done (it is state mandated anyway).

ShannonC · Feb 17, 2005

It just seems that when you get one of these really anti medical bradley couples they are not the least bit interested in learning ANYTHING, nor do they really wish to listen to a reasonable explanation about why some specific intervention may be beneficial.
Often, it is all about them, with little regard for the baby's health and well-being. Granted, that is not often but in my opinion, once is too much.
I well remember one particular couple who were adamently against the PKU and CF tests. When the nurse actually sat down with them and asked them if they knew what these tests were for, they had NO idea whatsoever. When they found out, of course they wanted the blood work done (it is state mandated anyway).

Something that strikes me as a contradiction (though it might make perfect sense to someone else, I don't know) is the uber-Bradley anti-intervention couple that go on to request a circ on their son. Huh???

CEG · Feb 17, 2005

In my opinion those people are the exact opposite of what Bradley is supposed to be. The whole point of avoiding meds, etc is for the health of the baby. Benefits to mom factor in too of course, but the emphasis is on the effect of pain meds, premature birth due to induction, etc and their effects on baby. Too bad a few ruin it for everyone else. Also, there really isn't anything about avoiding vaccinations, newborn tests, etc. Mainly the emphasis is on not separating the babe from the mother.b

It just seems that when you get one of these really anti medical bradley couples they are not the least bit interested in learning ANYTHING, nor do they really wish to listen to a reasonable explanation about why some specific intervention may be beneficial.
Often, it is all about them, with little regard for the baby's health and well-being. Granted, that is not often but in my opinion, once is too much.
I well remember one particular couple who were adamently against the PKU and CF tests. When the nurse actually sat down with them and asked them if they knew what these tests were for, they had NO idea whatsoever. When they found out, of course they wanted the blood work done (it is state mandated anyway).