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C-sections
biblionerd
member
Which is more important- the Dr and c/s or hospital stay?
biblionerd
member
in C-sections
I had a GREAT c/s last time (as far as major abdominal surgery goes). I got nauseous from the spinal but was given meds and everything went smoothly. The actual c/s itself was drama free. DS was right with me, LO rode back to recovery with me, and we were all together the whole time. I felt completely coherent the whole time and never felt groggy or doped up. I hear a lot of c/s horror stories, and I feel really lucky how smoothly mine went. The problem was AFTER the c/s. I'm debating switching hospitals, but can't really figure out where I'd feel the most comfortable. A lot of the stuff that happened was because we didn't speak up for ourselves and were first-timers and figuring out what was normal and not. DH thinks now that we know more we'd feel more comfortable demanding the care we want.
For instance... DS had the c/s breathing issues. They kept an eye on him and said he was looking fine. The nurse took him to the nursery to do vitals one night and said why don't we get a couple hours of sleep and she'd bring him back in to nurse when he was ready. I woke up 5 or so hours later and my baby still wasn't there. I called her and she said when they were doing his vitals they thought his breathing looked a little worse so they kept him in their "special care nursery" and did a chest xray and monitored him. We were never told this. This is something we obviously should have been woken up for. Then... they wanted to keep him longer and he ended up going probably 15 or so hours without eating. They said he was fine and this was normal and he was still having wet diapers (he was having problems BF'ing and they didn't want to bring him in and stress him out or something like that). It was complete BS basically and we were so worried that we just didn't know what to do. Then he ended up losing a pound (surprise, surprise), was jaundiced, and had to supplement with formula. BF'ing was horrible and the lactation help sucked so we were pretty much FF when we came home. The nurses were understaffed and constantly complained about being too busy.
I would switch hospitals, but I'm terrified of another c/s, even though the first was fine. I love my OB. Who's to say it won't end up just as badly at the other hospital? There are 2 practices to pick from at this other hospital. I HATE one of them. I was originally there for general OB stuff and the office was horrible. I had a laparoscopy with one OB and she did ovarian drilling without even telling me. Lots of drama there. There is one other practice with a man and a woman. I'll be honest, I just really am more comfortable with women. Are we crazy to stay at a hospital we had problems with? Honestly, if I were having another vaginal birth I wouldn't be as worried switching hospitals. I just hate having to have a c/s and I feel like my OB is the only "comfort zone" I have.
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Re: Which is more important- the Dr and c/s or hospital stay?
I cannot imagine that your newborn wasn't fed for 15 hrs -- that's insane -- I wonder if they gave him formula and never told you?
We had a similar issue with DD losing weight and no one telling us. The nurse told me I should have asked and I said who am I supposed to ask when I don't know what to ask. Anyways, we ended up venting to the head clinical nurse and they bent over backwards from here on out with us. I delieverd at the infamous Cedars in Beverly Hills and I think that it's the nursing aids that pop in to check on you, etc that are still in training etc that needed additional help but the actual nurses were great. In my first few days at the hospital I thought all nurses were the same level, nope I was wrong.
Personally, I would choose my Dr over a hospital. You know what to ask for now, you know how that hospital works somewhat and now you and DH can be all over the staff with questions, etc. But, if you ever have an issue, I would seriously consider speaking with the clinical nurse (top dog) and she will get to the bottom of the issues for you stat -- it's your right to speak to her too.
The not feeding while having respiratory distress is normal...but not telling you..THATS HORRIBLE!
But personally, I'd stick with an OB I'm comfortable with..and just voice your choices to the nurses..perhaps telling them you had a bad experience in the past and just that you want to be kept in the loop as much as possible, etc, etc, etc..
I think if you switch, you have to be VERY confident in the new hospital and the new OB. Ask everyone you know, do research online-- tour the hospital, whatever it takes to feel comfortable with a new place. Another option, and not sure if it's doable, is to get a doula. Everyone thinks they are to help you through labor-- but really, their goal is just to help you get through the birthing process, and you are paying them to make your voice heard. If you had one for just a day or two, they could help with support, breastfeeding, helping with basic needs in the hospital, and that might be worth the money.
I think if you stay at the current hospital, you have to be a PITA about everything-- ask a zillion questions, don't let your baby out of your sight unless you know everything going on-- ultimately you have the right to control your experience. The second things aren't going the way you'd like, demand to speak to the head on staff, and let them know you'd like to leave because you aren't comfortable with the way things are going. They won't let you (likely, or they will!), and things will change from there on out.
I had a very similar situation for my c/s with my DS, and although our stay was great, there were a few things I didn't like. I wish I had just been more vocal, but like you, I didn't know better. I send DS to the nursery at night so we could sleep, and looking back I don't know if I'll do that again. Yes, I slept, but he also wasn't with me-- and he was hours old.
If it were me, I'd stick with my OB. Maybe talk to her about it at your next appt-- be honest, and see what advice she has? It's probably a good thing if she hears it, and she might have really great advice.
I am in a similar situation. I am sticking with my ob and hospital. I loved my ob my entire pregnancy, at 10 weeks, I switched to him due to issues with my first ob. The day I scheduled, I mentioned my low progesterone to the receptionist (I was switching because the old office over looked my bloodwork, and my levels were low for 2 weeks). She had my OB call me, I think we talked on the phone for 10 minutes. Right then and there I loved him. I am a neurotic mess most of the time, and I credit him for keeping me calm. And when I found out I had to have the c section, I could tell he was upset for me.
My anesthiologist didn't listen to me when I said I wasn't numb, so I was cut open when I wasn't numb and had g/a. The anesthiologist kept telling my dr. to continue the surgery, and they got into an arguement, but he stopped fighting with her, and tried to help me calm down and was great.
I hated most of my nurses. The first one kept arguing with my ob saying my water had broke (no it hadn't.) when i woke from g/a, she also told me they thought DD was a preemie (no she wasn't). My one nurse was no help with BF (no one told me the issue was the g/a) A food service person came into my bathroom while i was naked to ask what I wanted for lunch. THere is a whole lot more.