Difficult labor/cesarean

ryansmamaxo · September 2011

Hi ladies. I had a very difficult labor ending up with a cesarean with DS and I was wondering if anyone went through something similar.

I labored for 19 hours and had my epidural about 10 hours in. I had a few shots beforehand and they relaxed me a bit but didn't do too much. It took the anesthesiologist over 1 hour to properly insert the catheter for my epi and he stuck me atleast 10 x in the process. It was horrible, I had a hard time keeping still because I was become more and more anxious as it became more apparent he was having trouble. So after he got it in, it never really offered much relief. I had excruciating back labor for 7 hours even after he had topped it off. So finally the ordered the cesarean and my husband got ready to join me while they wheeled me down.

Now a new catheter had to be inserted for a spinal block and this was with a new anesthesiologist. He had no luck whatsoever. I was in tears for 45 mins with my husband and family freaking out in the waiting room thinking something was wrong. Finally they just put me out completely under general anesthesia and did not let my husband in, I was terrified up until the point where I passed out and missed the birth of my baby that i waited so patiently for 9 months to see. My whole family got to see and hold my son hours before I did, and when I did wake up I was in excruciating pain to the point where seeing him for the first time was very blurry and I wasn't able to enjoy it like I wanted.

I found out later that my friend with then SAME exact docs down to the very last detail went thru the same experience completely, and 2 years later I just found out that we were not the only ones. My OB has left her practice in that hospital bc they refuse to address concerns of patients that had terrible experience with the anesthesiologists who have BOTH since been fired. In fact one of them is being sued by multiple women for malpractice , I am not sure of the specifics but it definitely freaked me out. At the time the one doctor mentioned I may have mild scoliosis and that is why he had so much trouble with the epi, but if it happened to so many other women I question that. I am just terrified of what I may have to go through next time, in no way shape or form do I want to have a repeat. If anything I would like to try for VBAC but I have reservations about that as well. Missing the birth of my child was heartbreaking to me.... I know he was born healthy and I should be happy and not worry about it, but its something I feel was taken from me and I will never forget it. They also denied my husband the same ....has anyone had any of the above happen?

pepomntpat · September 2011

I am so sorry you had such a difficult experience. That must have been awful for you. I just want to tell you that you should not let anyone tell you not to feel bad about what happened. Of course you are happy that your daughter is healthy, but those first few hours are so important and it is a major loss to you. You should feel free to grieve for it. My experience was not nearly as horrific as yours, but I also was separated from my daughter and I still feel a lot of pain and regret about that. I would suggest seeing if you can find a local ican chapter and go to a meeting. I am sure you will find a lot of women who have had similar experiences and give you a lot of support. {hugs}

shouldbworkin · September 2011

Sounds familiar! I was in labor for 28 hours, most of them at home fortunately. DS was posterior and my water had broken, so I was admitted about 12 hours before he was born and only 3 cm dilated. A couple hours later I asked for the epi and I could see the nurse roll her eyes. In fact, I got a new nurse b/c I think the one I was originally assigned didn't want to deal with me. Nice! I had already been up all night b/c I couldn't sleep through my contrax with my water broken (I didn't know it was broken) and thought an epi would give me some relief, but it didn't take on one side. The epi did cause my contrax to space out so they started me on pitocin. That was really fun w/o a fully functioning epi. When the anesthesiologist came back to see what was wrong with me epi, she belittled me for not being tougher in labor. She had to come back several more times to boost my epi, including as they were wheeling me into the OR and I started having back spasms all the way up my back from having relentless contrax for hours w/no relief. They almost had to knock me out too, but the epi finally took and stayed just about long enough for them to sew me up. My new nurse ended up being a savior. She supported me in having a c/s and knew something wasn't right. DS ended up being wall twisted up on one side of me and couldn't descend on his own.

I totally opted for a repeat c/s the next time around. I had no desire for that kind of labor experience again. I had a different anesthesiologist who placed my spinal block and it was perfect! I'm going to base my decision on VBAC vs. c/s on my DC's position again. My kids like to have out on one side and don't get into great birthing position. If it happens again, I'll have another c/s.

disneyfan0511 · September 2011

I had a very hard labor and eventual c-section. I was in labor for 18 hours and pushed for over 2. They found out AFTER I was pushing for 2 hours that DD was OP and wasn't descending. I also had a horrible epi that needed to be replaced and I was so drugged up during DD birth that is was horrible. I ended up having a c/s and they took DD to the NICU immediately after - I wasn't able to hold her for 2 hours after she was born.

All of what I went through makes me want a VBAC but also makes me want to do things different the next time around. I probably will try and avoid an epi, I don't want them to break my water when I'm only 3cm dilated, and I am going to write a very detailed birth plan. My DD ended up being in the NICU for 15 days because of an infection likely caused from the birth experience.

It's really normal to feel disappointed you didn't get the birth experience you wanted but don't ever think you failed. Because you didn't.

ryansmamaxo · September 2011

Thank you so much for the response. I had a nurse I couldn't stand either , unfortunately she was with me throughout the entire labor. In the middle of my back labor they were trying to get me to switch positions and I was a little resistant because I was in so much pain. She actually had the nerve to tell me to get a grip!!!! I was not in the mood and she got some vitriol spewed in her direction which I'm sure didn't help the situation, but it shut her up for the rest of my time in labor and delivery. Thankfully every nurse I had after that was amazing and I couldn't have asked for more. I'm a nursing student and i still dont know how some nurses can be the way they are towards patients. I fully understand they have ALOT to deal with and they see the same things day in and out, but seriously if you are at the point where it's automatic for you to be nasty , bitter and unsupportive especially in the maternity ward, find another profession. I think that's the last place in need of a bad attitude.

neya28 · September 2011

Yeah I had something similar happen to me. Failed induction, 30+ hrs of labor, the epi didn't really take. Then I pushed for 3 hrs w/o result and was told I had to have a c/sec. Then they couldn't get the spinal in for some reason and had to put me out. I woke up in crazy pain and didn't see DS till 2 days later (he was in NICU for a diff issue). It was a total nightmare. My regular OB didn't do this delivery b/c they discovered at 37 weeks that DS had a heart defect and we switched hospitals and went w/ some random on call doctor (who turned out awful). This time I'm having a RCS w/ my OB and I hope things will go a lot smoother. I wouldn't risk a VBAC after fully dialating and not being able to push him out. I don't wanna go through that again.

shibby00 · September 2011

First of all I want to say I am so sorry for your horrible experience! As PP said please do not let anyone minimize your emotional trauma! I had a similar experience, 18 hours of labor, pushed for just under 4 and eventual c/s. My epi only worked for about 2 or 3 hours, then I would get 'windows' of pain that would gradually expand until I was feeling everything. They would top it off, come back and top it off again until in the OR it was discovered that the catheter had come out, so no wonder I wasn't getting any pain relief. Around hour 2 of pushing the on call OB came in and said to keep pushing because 'that's why they call it labor, it's not supposed to be fun.' For me the spinal shot was 1 shot and within minutes I was pain free. The surgery sucked because I threw up and had a panic attack and after DD was out they knocked me out. I don't remember anything until 6 AM the next morning (DD was born at 10:13 PM). It totally sucks and I ended up with PPD which sucked, too. I am so glad to hear that your OB has left that hospital. I will be going with a new OB and new hospital with any future children we have, and I'll have to drive over an hour to get there. GL and please do not feel like you are alone.

2-Step · September 2011

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. I had a rough c-section after labor and had a bad reaction to the meds so I barely remember seeing my DS and I was knocked out after labor for a few hours. Everyone in my family met my DS before me. Luckily DH got to be with him the whole time, but I was very traumatized and upset about it for a long time.

I know the feeling where you think you should just be happy they are healthy and you are, but there is a seperate loss you are mourning. This time I am having a repeat c-section with my own dr and I am making damn sure no one is even at the hospital until I've had at least a few hours bonding with my baby. I considered a VBAC but it would likely end the same way and I think having more control over the process will help me have a better experience. I have given up the dream of having a vag birth experience, but at least I can control who sees the baby and who holds him first etc. Having it on the calendar and entering surgery well rested and I hope not to have as bad of a reaction to the meds.

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