I work in a high risk antepartum unit. On Wednesday night one of the pts was suddenly in excruciating pain. She squeezed my hands so tight, they started to go numb.
A resident came up and examined her but couldn't determine what was causing the pain. They took her to L&D and did a stat c-section. Coming out of anesthesia, she failed the neuro checks. They did a CAT scan and found a large brain bleed. She went to ICU and yesterday they took her off the vent and she died within 15 minutes. She was 34 yrs old.
I'm in shock. I can't believe she died. She was with us in AP with PROM for almost two months. She was such a sweet lady and a champion knitter. The pile of baby blankets is still in her room. She is survived by her husband, several young children and her newborn baby.
The doctors have said there was nothing that could have done to prevent this, but I can't help thinking about that night and wondering if there was anything I could have done differently.
I am so sad and keep wanting to cry. This is the first pt I have lost who wasn't elderly or terminally ill.
(hug) I can understand the pain you must be going through. I too have lost a young patient that died unexpectedly. There was an internal bleed after surgery and he was uncooperative in letting the techs give him an x-ray earlier in the day. Just remember that it's not your fault that they died. I cried for a long time. Just make sure to talk to someone about it. Don't blame yourself. My prayers are with you.
I work in a high risk antepartum unit. On Wednesday night one of the pts was suddenly in excruciating pain. She squeezed my hands so tight, they started to go numb.
A resident came up and examined her but couldn't determine what was causing the pain. They took her to L&D and did a stat c-section. Coming out of anesthesia, she failed the neuro checks. They did a CAT scan and found a large brain bleed. She went to ICU and yesterday they took her off the vent and she died within 15 minutes. She was 34 yrs old.
I'm in shock. I can't believe she died. She was with us in AP with PROM for almost two months. She was such a sweet lady and a champion knitter. The pile of baby blankets is still in her room. She is survived by her husband, several young children and her newborn baby.
The doctors have said there was nothing that could have done to prevent this, but I can't help thinking about that night and wondering if there was anything I could have done differently.
I am so sad and keep wanting to cry. This is the first pt I have lost who wasn't elderly or terminally ill.
(((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) Maternal Deaths hit EVERYONE hard. I work ICU and have cared for more mothers in extremis than I could count. Even when you know that it is inevitable - it is so so heartwrenching. They are right too - there is NOTHING anyone could have done. What a tragedy.
Thank you so much for all your support! It really helped to read your messages.
I worked today and we discussed having a meeting to talk about what happened. I hope they put together something soon. I think it would help if I had more details and understood more clearly exactly what happened medically. They did an autopsy yesterday, so we should have more answers soon.
Her baby is doing really well, which is such a blessing. The family donated her organs, so her legacy lives on through her children and those she helped after her death.
This has been such a tragedy, such a shock. I keep telling myself I just need some time to process everything and deal with my feelings, which range from sorrow to guilt to anger and back. Please keep her family in your prayers. Thank you.
How awful... my thoughts go out to you and your coworkers, as well as her family. I agree that a debriefing is in order, if for no other reason than to assure you all that you all did everything you could- you're certainly not to blame here.
(Laura, let you be comfort in trust knowing that she's safely home.)
I worked at a nursing home and we I had a coworker that I never knew passed (I know this story is way out of line to the topic made by the OP but I wanted to recommend this site).
A website was posted for this individual, and it brought alot of comfort to many. Perhaps, anyone who counsels families could recommend this site that they can create, and it would be a good way to send a message of comfort to the remaining family members. Take a look:
When you work in OB/NSY everyone always tell you what a wonderful job you have..and it's true most of the time. Every so often though, very rarely, thank God, something tragic like this happens and it is so overwhelming. It makes you question everything in life, you, your skills, even God (I think He understands).
But we go back to work and continue to do our best for all the other mothers and babies in our care.
Several years ago, we had a mother die in the middle of delivery, she was being coded while the OB tried to rescue the baby. It was surreal. The baby was transported to a Level III NICU and we never really did know how he did down the road.
My heart goes out to you, your coworkers and the family hit so hard by this.
May God grant all peace and hope to continue living and helping.
:crying2:
dekatn
307 Posts
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. I am so sorry.