Conversation overheard in L&D yesterday

J&MsMom · June 2011

I had to go to L&D to get check out yesterday. So I was in triage, there are only curtains separating the bays. The woman next to me was in labor and they moved her into a room. After they move her, the nurses when wild. Apparently, she had two previous c-sections and she was trying a VBA2C. The nurses were furious. They were calling other doctors to make sure this was allowed. When they found out the guidelines were changed, they kept going on about how the doctor was an idiot for putting her job on the line like that. They kept saying, "Does the doctor want a dead woman on her hands". It was insane.

I guess I was naive thinking that nurses in L&D must have been familiar with VBACS and VBA2Cs, but they kept saying "It's crazy! I guess this is the new trend." and basically saying VBAC moms are putting their life on the line.

It was very disheartening to hear, but they did report that she delievered the baby successfuly and both mom and baby were healthy. I can only imagine the crap they gave that woman. She left just as I was checking in, but I wish I could have told her to 'rock on'!

J&MsMom · June 2011

laura_belle:

I would have been tempted to call them out on it and say point blank that as a VBAC candidate, you do not appreciate overhearing their comments. That really sucks to have to overhear. I dealt more with the L&D nurses than I did my OB during labor.

Can I ask which hospital this was? We are in the same area.

Fairfax

swimming47 · June 2011

I got some push back from one nurse after my vbac on the 'risk' of a vbac. I just kind of brushed her off since it was afterwards.

Luv4Minnesota · June 2011

That is frustrating! The sad part is a lot of OBs can't even keep up with the new guidelines/research so I'm not suprprised that the nurses are uneducated. Hopefully seeing a successful VBA2C will help them to be more open minded for the next one.

preg_amy · June 2011

If I wasn't too attached to my doctor or had other good options... that would be enough to convince me to switch hospitals.

Yeah, I would have had a hard time keeping my mouth shut.

MAprincess · June 2011

That is terrible. I would have reported them!

Myst2211 · June 2011

That makes me so sad. I had DD at FairOaks and I am not going back due to the nursing staff there. I would prefer to have support system in place. We are now at Birth by Design.

M

Ceefome · June 2011

That is sad. My L&D nurse for my VBAC was super supportive and part of the reason why I had a successful VBAC. She worked with me to keep me out of the bed during labor, even though I had to have CFM.