What's the craziest thing a patient or family member has said to you?

Specialties Ob/Gyn

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I think out of my 15 years, the one thing that really seemed the strangest to me was the following story:

I had a middle aged married couple. Both were employed, and in fairly responsible jobs. She had done well all during labor, and she reached 10cm without inicident. So, we started talking about pushing. I explained what I needed from her, and they both listened attentively. The next contraction came, and she push amazingly well for a primip, so I was full of praise. Then comes the weirdness. The husband looked at her, looked at me, and asked, "Why, exactly, are you making her do this?" I was a bit confused, and asked him what he meant. "Why are you making her do this? What's it for?" I was absolutely shocked at this point, and responded, "To get the baby out." He was enraged. "Are you kidding me? There's not a better way?" Umm, no. "Well, how in the h@)) long is she supposed to do it?" Umm, until the baby comes out. He was not at all happy with this, and muttered about the idiocy of modern medicine, we put a man on the moon, why couldn't we come up with a better way, etc. I kept feeling like I must be on Candid Camera. The wife seemed just as confused as he, but at least she was nice. I've heard lots of crazy stuff, much of it that would have been at home on the set of Jerry Springer, but that one definitely confused me the most.

So, what's been said to you that really made you say, "What the heck?":down:

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

There was a laboring mother who insisted that the doctor impregnated her by giving her a shot in her thigh (even though the doctor never did, the nurse was giving her an IM injection) and in the shot was the sperm. She also was convinced that the IV fluids that were being administered to her was poison. I'm sure she said many other bizarre things to other providers throughout the day. Ugh....

There was another patient who had a 15 year old sister in the room with her while she labored and the 15 year old asked if the baby would survive and was ready to come out because she was "only 38 weeks and not 40". After another question she proceeded to suck her thumb (kinda felt sorry for the girl). After the patient was asked if it was okay for everyone in the room to be present (as in watching, etc) during her lady partsl exam (including a young teenage male cousin), she said sure. :down:

Specializes in NICU.

I had a dad tell me recently that his wife was making so much milk because he had "primed the pump" (and yes, that is how he described it) by sucking her boobs the whole pregnancy.

It confused me because I couldn't understand why he thought I might like to know that.

:no:

Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
That's about the time you call facilities and have them bring in the shop vac. :rolleyes:;) I bet pushing would not be so bad afterall, lol. Beats sucking out junior!

Bahahahaha!! Too funny! Your comment is why I don't need to drink Coke while on AN. Now to wipe off the screen...

Anne, RNC

These stories are hilarious! It is amazing how uneducated people are when it comes to the basics of healthcare

I had a dad tell me recently that his wife was making so much milk because he had "primed the pump" (and yes, that is how he described it) by sucking her boobs the whole pregnancy.

It confused me because I couldn't understand why he thought I might like to know that.

:no:

Ahahah!

Recently one of my colleagues walked into a pts room to find dad doing perineal massage in labour (she was like an ant lip maybe)-- which is totally fine but he reached in too far, felt the baby's head, almost passed out, went and threw up and then came back out and asked if she wanted him to keep going!!

Specializes in Labor/Delivery, Pediatrics, Peds ER.
I work in trauma now and so there are very few stories that shock me anymore. However when I was in school I worked as an aide on a GI surgery floor. We had a patient who had a lot of GI problems (i never knew her back story, as an aide I wasn't told), she ended up having a colostomy from her surgeries. I was in there to empty the bag and I was just explaining to her about how you empty it and basics like that since it was new to her. She then started asking me a lot of questions about other care for the colostomy which i defered to the nurse but her last question was if it was possible to have sex through the stoma and if it would be similar to anal sex. I didn't even know how to respond other than to ask the nurse or Dr.

Just when I thought there wasn't much left which could shock me! :yuck:

Just when I thought there wasn't much left which could shock me! :yuck:

You'd be surprised how common that question is--I have a friend who does GI and she said most people with new stomas ask!

These stories are hilarious! It is amazing how uneducated people are when it comes to the basics of healthcare

And just the basics functioning of their own bodies!

Ahahah!

Recently one of my colleagues walked into a pts room to find dad doing perineal massage in labour (she was like an ant lip maybe)-- which is totally fine but he reached in too far, felt the baby's head, almost passed out, went and threw up and then came back out and asked if she wanted him to keep going!!

That's one dedicated husband, good for him!

Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
And just the basics functioning of their own bodies!

Oh yes, it never ceases to amaze me when women ask how the baby will come out if we put a Foley "up there" and they are absolutely amazed to discovery they have three holes! Our hospital still does enemas for inductions of labor, and we still get "is it going to get the baby wet?' from time to time. Geez people, I'm not suggesting you take a college level Anatomy and Physiology course, but at least grab a hand mirror on the way to the bathroom one day.

Specializes in cardiac CVRU/ICU/cardiac rehab/case management.

great topic,thanks!

Specializes in Float Pool-Med-Surg, Telemetry, IMCU.

Ok, I know this is an old thread but really???? Do people really ask that question about stomas all the time?! I am so glad I haven't encountered that one yet. Speechless.... :barf02:

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