We lost a pt last night. She presented to triage for a labor check and was getting up to ambulate when her water broke. So she was admitted. VE was 1/60/-1. Not long after, like an hour, she appeared to have a seizure, FHR was in the 70's, VE was 10/100/0. We managed to get the baby delivered lady partslly with the help of vacuum, and forceps, despite Mom alternating between combative and unresponsive. Baby was resuscitated with CPR, and eventually transferred to a Level III on a vent.
Mom crashed. She was intubated 10 min after delivery, bradied down, ACLS protocol began. She was announced an hour and 15 min after delivery. We think, at this point, she may have had an amniotic fluid embolus, since she did panic before the "seizure." Somehow we managed to hold it all together and do the best we could. But once the code team got there and took over, I think most of us L&D nurses were just so overwhelmed. It's one thing to watch a code on an 85 yr. old, but for a 30 something Mom who just delivered her 3rd baby........... I'm still having a hard time coming to grips with this. People just don't die in childbirth, you know?
The hardest part was listening to the screams of her daughters, both under 13. I just can't imagine what this family went through. Coming to the hosp, expecting to hear about a new baby, and being told that the mother is dead. None of them knew until they got there. And to hear each one of them respond to the news, was heartbreaking. I hope that I never, ever have to deal with this again.
So very sorry for you and your co-workers. Please consider a critical incident stress debriefing. Contact someone in the ER of your hospital and they can usually arrange it. I am so sorry!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. The reality of life is so difficult at times. The staff who handled the whole situation sounds like they did all they could humanly possible. Be gentle with yourself. Let your emotions flow. Take good care of yourself these coming weeks. It is okay to grieve. Write to all of us whenever you feel like it.
My heart hurts for you and the family...its truly a tragedy...give yourself a break tho', not only are you a special person being a nurse, you are also a human with a big heart that sometimes fractures a bit...fractures heal with time and your strength will be so much stronger....Take care....we're here for you when needed....
undefinedI am so very sorry at all that occurred..Unfortunately it brings to light that anything can happen and especially when one least expects it....I think it also reminds us just how mortal we all are. Those of us who are parents identify with this family even more so although as nurses, we just "feel" for the families...Many {{{{}}}}...
my heavens. i am so sorry. my thoughts and prayers go out to you and this family.
when i was six, an aunt of mine died in childbirth as well (baby too). it's just something you don't hear of often, and when it happens, it's such a dramatic shock.
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
87 Articles; 21,288 Posts
So very sorry for you and your co-workers. Please consider a critical incident stress debriefing. Contact someone in the ER of your hospital and they can usually arrange it. I am so sorry!