Run-in with a doctor

[Nurse_Gaby]

I am a new nurse to L&D of about six months. I recently had a multip who came in and had SROM'd at home. I checked her and determined she was 4cm. After her epidural I examined her and found her to be 5cm. 3 hours later the patient complained of nausea and intermittent pressure. I checked her and found her to be 7cm. Per hospital policy I called the physician and had an icy reception to which she asked if I really needed her. The OB came in to examine her to which she said (in front of the patient), she's 5 cm and the head was higher than my exam and you are never to call me that early again. She then went to my charge nurse and complained about my exam being inaccurate and told me in front of all my coworkers that I am to have a nurse check behind me when I take her patients. Pitocin was started for augmentation per the MD which was shut off due to a decel. The patient was fully in less than an hour and the doctor barely got her gloves on before the delivery. I felt confident in my exam and was humiliated by this doctor. I haven't had an issue with discrepancies prior to this incident. I really truly feel she was seven. Many of the senior nurses felt my exam was accurate. I know multips can progress quickly and it's possible she could be 5 and then fully. I would just like some words of wisdom and professional opinion. This is eating me up ever since I left work.

[spider woman]

I've seen docs do that, and some who are very unkind to new nurses. In the future, you can have another RN check after you with that docs patients until things blow over. It will honor their ride request, but more importantly, cover you by verifying your exam. Im sorry you were treated that way.